Overview
Introduction
Be part of one of the world's leading departments in the study of international relations, while undertaking a substantial piece of work that’s worthy of publication.
On this programme, you’ll have the opportunity to make an original contribution to the field of study. You’ll begin on the MPhil and be upgraded to PhD status at the end of your first year of registration.
The department is organised around four research clusters: International Institutions, Law and Ethics; Theory/Area/History; International Political Economy; and Statecraft and Security. You’ll belong to at least one of these clusters during your studies and attend its weekly events. You’ll also have the chance to participate in the editing of a student-run journal called Millennium: Journal of International Studies, which has a major role in the discipline.
The Department has strengths in international relations theory, security studies, international political economy, and European studies. As well as Europe, its specialist areas cover Russia, Central, Northeast and Southeast Asia, the USA, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.
Other areas of research include foreign policy analysis, nationalism, religion, historical sociology, international environmental politics, and strategic war studies. Often, our faculty will contribute to more than one of these subjects. As such, there’s interdisciplinary work across the Departments of Government and International History, as well as the many research centres at the School.
Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent doctoral graduates have also gone into careers in consultancy, education and teaching, NGOs and charities, international organisations, and roles within the public sector and government.
Preliminary readings
- The Professor Is In: The Essential Guide to Turning your PhD into a Job. Karen Kelsky (Three Rivers Press, 2015)
- How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing. Paul J. Silvia (American Psychological Association, 2007)
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a high merit (65+) in a master’s degree in a subject relevant to the proposed research with high merit (65+) in the dissertation element, or equivalent. Applications which don't meet these criteria (or don't expect to do so on completion of any pending qualifications) aren't considered eligible.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Overseas
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Research. Read more about our English language requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this doesn't guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out.
Programme content
In addition to progressing with your research, you'll take courses in methods and research design. You may take courses in addition to those listed and should discuss this with your supervisor.
At the end of your first year, you'll need to satisfy certain requirements and if you meet these, will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.
A few important points you’ll need to know:
We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.
The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study, due to developments in teaching practice, regulatory requirements that require us to comply, lack of demand, financial unviability of a course, or due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the loss of a key member of staff or where a location or building becomes unavailable for use.
Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.
Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to developments in the discipline or as a consequence of student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are made to improve the learning experience.
For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.
Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated graduate course and programme information page.
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
Meet the department
The Department of International Relations is one of the largest of its kind in the world, home to 500 students, from 30 countries.
Founded in 1927, our department is a leading centre for teaching and research in international relations – ranked second in the UK and fifth globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Many leading thinkers in the field – including Martin Wight, Hedley Bull and John Vincent – have taught in the department and pioneered new developments and thinking in the field. The department also helped found the student-run Millennium: Journal of International Studies – one of the most prestigious international relations journals.
We have around 225 undergraduates, 220 postgraduates and 30 postgraduate research students on our programmes. Our aim is to provide a wide range of study options, covering diverse themes such as major theoretical perspectives on international relations, the study of conflict and conflict management, the work of international institutions and the major regions of the world, from Europe to the Middle East.
We’re proud of the broad international profile of our department – with students and staff from Europe, North America and further afield. As a department we’ve played a pivotal role in training diplomats and academics and we’re proud of their success in various fields.
Learn more about our programmes and research.
Department of International Relations
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK in 2025 and 2026
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 2025 and 20261st in London for the 14th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20265th in the world for the study of social sciences and management
QS World University Rankings by Subject 20266th in the world for leading the way in social and environmental sustainability
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026Your application
Overview
We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of our staff at LSE. For this reason, we recommend that you take a look at our staff research interests before applying.
We encourage research projects which will expand and diversify the research profile of the department.
We strongly encourage applications from high calibre students of all nationalities studying across all research areas at the School but, in particular, we are seeking to support applications from:
- UK students
- Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) students, especially from Black African / Caribbean, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage
Please note: Prospective candidates aren't expected to contact potential supervisors in advance of their application. Due to the high volume of enquiries, potential supervisors are unlikely to be able to provide feedback on enquiries and outline proposals. Individual academic members of staff are not able to make commitments to supervise prospective students outside of the formal application process involving selection by the Department PhD Sub-Committee.
We apply our entry criteria rigorously, so if you don't already meet or expect to meet them with any pending qualifications, you won't be eligible. We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:
- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications)
- statement of academic purpose
- references
- CV
- a research proposal of up to 4,000 words with a title and abstract (300 words max.) included at the beginning. The proposal should meet the criteria outlined on the department's MPhil/PhD webpage
- sample of written work.
See further information on supporting documents.
You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.
Part-time study
Please note that LSE allows part-time PhD study only under limited circumstances. If you wish to study part-time, you should mention this (and the reasons for it) in your statement of academic purpose, and discuss it at interview if you're shortlisted.
For students awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studentship, the structure and duration of the studentship offered, including part-time study, will depend on a candidate's previous academic experience, and social research training and experience. ESRC studentships are applicable to both full-time and part-time study. We can discuss part-time options with you if you're interested in applying. International students requiring a student visa should also see the student visas information in the GOV.UK website and the LSE visa advice for more details.
When to apply
The application deadline for this programme is 14 January 2026.
This includes applications for School scholarships and externally-funded applications.
See the fees and funding section below for more details.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Home
Home student fee (2026/27)
The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with fee levels recommended by the Research Councils.
Learn more about fee status classification.
Overseas
Overseas student fee (2026/27)
The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, four per cent each year).
Learn more about fee status classification.
At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student (known as your fee status). We assess your fee status using The Higher education (Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2017.
Scholarships, studentships and other funding
We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generous scholarships to help both home and overseas students.
For this programme, students can apply for LSE PhD Studentships, and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding. To be considered, you’ll need to submit your application (and any supporting documents) before the funding deadline.
Funding deadlines
Funding deadline for the LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 14 January 2026.
In addition to our needs-based awards, we offer scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for certain subjects.
External funding
Additional funding opportunities may be available through other organisations or governments. We strongly recommend you investigate these options as well.
Further information
Learn more about fees and funding, including external funding opportunities.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
You'll be assigned a lead supervisor who has the necessary expertise to oversee your research work. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies and are your main support contact during the PhD programme. You'll also be allocated a second supervisor by the end of Autumn Term to provide additional specialist input.
During your first year you'll attend and contribute to the Methods in International Relations Research seminar (IR501), one of the Department Research Cluster workshops and take research methods training courses to the combined value of one unit from the recommended list courses. These are designed to strengthen your methodological skills and background knowledge of specific topics related to your research.
During the second, third and fourth years you'll also attend and contribute to one of the Department Research Cluster workshops.
You'll also be assigned an adviser, a member of the International Relations faculty who will be familiar with your progress but won't necessarily be an expert in your research area. Your adviser will be involved in the review and upgrade process.
How you're assessed
Each PhD thesis is unique, but the time frame everyone has to complete their thesis is four years.
All MPhil/PhD students at LSE are initially registered with MPhil status. Continued re-registration and upgrade are dependent on satisfactory progress being made.
Progress will be reviewed annually by a research panel made up of members of academic staff other than the supervisor. Students are normally upgraded to PhD status by the end of the first year, and no later than within 18 months of initial registration in line with Research Degrees Regulations. The Annual Progress Review may result in a decision allowing progression to the next academic session, conditional progression to the next academic session, or a recommendation of de-registration.
In order to progress to PhD registration, you must normally have met the progression requirements outlined below:
- Achieved a mark of at least 50 per cent in each of the required examined graduate-level course units in Research Methods training;
- Have made satisfactory progress in your research: this will be assessed by a face-to-face review panel involving two academic staff members and including the views of the supervisor. Review panels will be formed in consultation with the supervisor.
By the end of your first year, you'll be required to submit a statement of research including a research outline and one draft chapter of no more than 10,000 words. The proposal, which should illustrate your command of the theoretical and empirical literature related to your topic, will be a clear statement of the theoretical and methodological approach you'll take. This should demonstrate the coherence and feasibility of the proposed research and thesis. The submission will also include a timetable to completion, which should identify any periods of fieldwork necessary to your research. Panels will normally take place in weeks two to four of the Spring Term.
The material submitted will be also discussed and commented upon at IR501 lab sessions.
- Regular attendance at IR501 and the IR Research Cluster Workshop will be taken into account for progression: at least 80 percent attendance is expected.
In the unlikely event where a student is successful at passing the upgrade panel but requires a second attempt at completing the Research Methods Courses, they may be authorised to be upgraded but would be required to pass the course by the end of their second year in order to re-register.
After the first year review panel, progress will be reviewed annually as per Regulations for Research Degrees.
In year 2, you'll be expected to submit two additional draft chapters and a timetable to completion which will be reviewed by the same panellists as in year 1. The two chapters should be substantially new work, but may include revised material from year 1. A virtual panel meeting will be scheduled in weeks two to four of the Spring Term and make recommendations on further progression based on progress made and quality of work submitted, as well as attendance at a Cluster Workshop.
Students in their third year of registration will be required to submit an annual progress report at the end of June, including a timetable to completion clearly setting out the work completed and remaining on the student’s research, as well as carry on with their commitment to a Research Cluster. These will need to be approved by the supervisor and reviewed by the Doctoral Programme Director in order to authorise re-registration.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent doctoral graduates have also gone into careers in consultancy, education and teaching, NGOs and charities, international organisations and to roles within the public sector and government.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Hear from some recent graduates
Victor Bojbov
Head of Cooperation in the Delegation of the European Union in Azerbaijan
Giovanni Angioni
Head of Government Social Research Strategy at the HM Treasury
Kiran Phull
Assistant Professor in IR, Department of War studies at King’s College, London
Marnie Howlett
Lecturer in Politics, Oxford
Career support
From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.
Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.
See LSE Careers for further details.
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