Overview
Introduction
The programme
On this programme, you’ll gain the quantitative and qualitative skills to contribute robust socio-technical research to the field of digital innovation, with the opportunity to specialise in your chosen area. As you progress, you’ll learn how to define problems and research questions, collect and analyse data, and apply your empirical observations to develop theoretical ideas.
You’ll begin your studies on the MPhil and move on to the PhD (subject to satisfactory progress).
Students can apply for LSE and departmental financial support, including a full tuition award and a five-year annual stipend granted each year to at least one exceptional candidate applying to this programme. Find out more below under "Scholarships, studentships and other funding".
Research environnment
LSE’s Information Systems and Innovation Faculty Research Group is one of the largest of its kind in the world. We have wide-ranging research strengths, with expertise in digital ecosystems, organisational technologies, security and privacy, health and financial services. During your studies, you’ll have the chance to complete a substantial piece of original research in your chosen field.
LSE is a globally renowned research university ranked sixth in the world for social sciences and management. As a student, you’ll be joining a world-class community of academics and doctoral students who contribute to pioneering research in various management disciplines.
We're also ranked second in the UK by percentage of overall four and three stars in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Preliminary readings
- Cristina Alaimo, Jannis Kallinikos (2024) Data Rules: Reinventing the Market Economy, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2024.
- Robert Galliers Mari-Klara Stein The Routledge companion to management information systems, Taylor & Francis, Abingdon, Oxon Routledge, 2018
- Robert D Galliers (Ed) & Wendy Currie (Ed) The Oxford Handbook of Management Information Systems: Critical Perspectives and New Directions (Oxford Handbooks) Hardcover, 2011
- Boyka Simeonova (Ed) & Robert D. Galliers (Ed) Cambridge Handbook of Qualitative Digital Research, 2023
Entry requirements
2:1 bachelor’s degree or equivalent in computer science or a social science discipline, plus high merit (65+) in a master’s degree or equivalent in information systems or management or a related discipline.
See the GRE/GMAT requirements for this programme below under "Additional tests".
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Overseas
Additional tests
GRE/GMAT requirement
GMAT or GRE is recommended, but not mandatory. It must be no more than five years before 1 October 2026, and must show full and percentile scores for all sections.
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
You'll work closely with international and world-class faculty as part of a vibrant community of doctoral students, all of whom are pursuing varied research in different fields of management. The programme includes:
- a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative training
- studies from a wide variety of countries
- and the opportunity to specialise in a designated field.
Year 1
In your first year you'll take:
- taught courses in qualitative and quantitative methodology and analysis
- one additional specialist methods courses depending on your research needs
- two specialist courses to deepen your knowledge of current research practices and theoretical approaches in Information Systems and Digital Innovation
- the seminar Social Sciences Perspective of Academic Research in Management, which will help you understand the diversity of specialisms within the department and strengthen your critical analysis skills
You'll engage in short duration research projects, called Research Practicums, with different members of Faculty. The rotation of practicum assignments will include one-to-one training and collaboration that provides you better understanding of the research process, such as:
- literature reviews
- applied research methods
- data analysis
- evaluating findings and implications.
It will also give the opportunity to interact and get to know different members of the faculty group.
Each week during term time you'll attend the Information Systems Seminar, hearing from a range of academic speakers from within the Faculty Group, student researchers and external speakers.
Year 2
In the Autumn Term of your second year, you'll prepare and submit your PhD Proposal. It'll be examined in the form of a viva with a panel from the Faculty Group.
Once you've upgraded to PhD you work on your research and writing. You'll have the opportunity to undertake further training if needed and participate in the Advanced Quantitative Analysis for Research in Management with other students on different programmes. You'll continue to attend the Information Systems Seminar and be encouraged to engage with research events and conferences.
Years 3 and 4
During the third and fourth year of your programme you'll continue to meet regularly with your supervisors. You'll focus on your PhD Thesis, research and writing papers for presentation at conferences and publication and continue to participate in your Faculty Group seminars. Your progress will be monitored, and you'll be asked to present to the Faculty Group and your supervisors during the year.
At the end of your third year, you'll present your final year plan which outlines your timetable to completion and submission of your thesis, and actively engage and promote yourself in the Job Market.
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 members of the Information Systems and Innovation faculty
Meet the department
Our mission
Welcome to the Department of Management. Our mission is to inspire superior management practices by fostering a comprehensive understanding of individuals, teams, organisations, and markets, along with the psychological, social, political, and technological contexts that influence them.
By studying with us, you'll gain access to a world-leading centre for education and research, uniquely positioned within a world-class social science institution at the heart of a truly global city.
The environment
Join a vibrant intellectual community comprising of world-renowned faculty, astute students, dedicated and responsive professional services staff, and high achieving alumni. Through pioneering research and high-level teaching, you'll receive comprehensive, intensive, and rigorous methodological training to help you become an expert in your specialist fields.
The rich and culturally diverse learning environment at LSE’s Department of Management, won't only enrich your experience through developing a broad perspective and understanding, but also unlock an invaluable network of global peers.
Create a better world
We go beyond the boundaries of a traditional business school by integrating diverse disciplines such as economics, marketing, data, and analytics. Our comprehensive approach ensures that students gain a profound and multifaceted understanding of the business world, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to excel in a dynamic global environment.
Join us in our vision to create a better world, where a profound understanding of management drives positive change in both business and society.
Discover more about our programmes and research.
Who's who
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
We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate faculty research interests before applying.
We individually evaluate each application and carefully review all the details you provide in your application form. We consider the following as part of your application.
Overview
See the "Entry requirements" above.
Your statement of purpose should clearly demonstrate your motivations and objectives for applying to the programme. Highlight your academic strengths and draw on any previous experiences that will strengthen your application.
We're interested to learn about your research experience to date, and how you plan to develop these skills further during your time at LSE and beyond.
Clearly explain how you envisage studying in the department will help support your professional and academic development, as well as your long-term academic career plans.
We're keen to understand how you'll enhance and contribute to the research community and support our research focused environment within the department.
Your research proposal is an opportunity to showcase your research interests to the selectors, and what contributions your ideas will make to the academic field.
The research proposal is an important element of your application as it demonstrates your research and methodology interests, your academic potential, and it helps the selectors in identifying potential supervisors.
Please include the following into your research proposal:
- Working title: clearly state your research question or title of your research at the start of your research proposal.
- Keywords: include on the first page of the proposal up to 10 keywords or phrases which accurately reflect the content of your project (eg, "digital innovation", "fintech", "data privacy", "innovation strategy", "digital platforms").
- Introduction to the research idea: what is your general topic? What questions do you want to answer? Why do you think these are interesting, and important questions that deserve to be answered? What are the main hypotheses of the work?
- Literature: what is the key literature and its limitations?
- Methodology: what research methods do you intend to use? What are the strengths and limitations of your chosen methodology?
- Conclusion: how will your ideas contribute to the field, and how will this change our understanding of your research topic?
- Bibliography: clearly reference any literature you have used in your research proposal.
We understand that as you undertake your study and enhance your research skills during your first year, your initial idea may change, and we therefore don't expect this idea to be fixed but the proposal should clearly demonstrate your research interests.
All applications should include a sample of academic writing. You're encouraged to use something you've already written and an example of your best academic work. There is no word limit, but two to three pages would be sufficient/suitable. This enables our selectors to assess your writing style and academic writing communication skills.
References are very important, carefully plan who you'll ask and make sure they're able to complete the reference in good time or it will delay your application being reviewed. Read guidance on selecting your references.
CV including your academic and employment history or other professional experience.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You don't need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do. See our English language requirements.
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.
Faculty members are unable to comment on your eligibility without viewing your full application file first. However, if you have any questions regarding the programme please contact the Department of Management PhD Office at dom.phd.enquiries@lse.ac.uk.
- Admissions enquiries
For questions related to the admissions process, please contact the LSE Graduate Admissions team via their getting in touch page.
When to apply
The application deadline for this programme is 14 January 2026.
If you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by this application and funding deadline.
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, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding and for Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentships in Cities. 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, ESRC funding and Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentships in Cities: 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
First year
In the first year of your MPhil you'll take taught courses in the Department of Management and the Department of Methodology.
Alongside taught courses you'll participate in one-to-one research projects with a member of faculty and will work independently on your own research development and writing.
You'll also attend and contribute to the weekly Information Systems Seminar Series and Workshops and other workshops relevant to your research question on a weekly basis. These are designed to strengthen your methodological skills and enable you to present your work in progress.
Second year
During the second year, normally in the Autumn Term, you'll be required to pass your upgrade from MPhil to PhD. Once successfully upgraded, you'll work on your research with your supervisors. You'll continue to attend the weekly Information Systems Seminar Series.
Independent study
Alongside taught courses you'll participate in one-to-one research projects with a member of Faculty and will work independently on your own research development and writing.
LSE teaching
LSE is internationally recognised for teaching and research and our academics bring wide-ranging expertise. Courses may be taught by faculty members, guest teachers, visiting members of staff.
Learn about the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.
You'll be allocated a PhD supervisor on commencing the programme. You'll have two supevisors for your PhD thesis.
Throughout the programme you're required to attend and contribute to the Information Systems Seminar Series and Workshops and other workshops relevant to your research question. These are designed to strengthen your methodological skills and enable you to present your work in progress.
How you're assessed
Progression and assessment
Successful completion of work required for each year is a necessary condition for re-registration in the following year. You'll need to meet certain criteria, such as achieving certain grades in your assignments.
During the second year of registration, you submit a research proposal for your upgrade to PhD.
You're required to complete your PhD thesis within four years and should allow three to six months for revisions and submissions.
Your final award will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career.
Career and placements of previous Department of Management PhD students
Teaching
The department aims to give all qualified doctoral students the opportunity to teach. Developing teaching skills and experience is an important component of the students' career development and prepares you for future academic roles. To make this experience as valuable as possible we draw on the support from the LSE's Teaching and Learning Centre.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Career support
You'll receive advice, information and strategic guidance on how to approach and prepare for the academic job market during your programme.
Throughout the programme, you're expected to participate in Information Systems and Innovation Faculty Research Group research workshops, enabling you to grow familiar with the process of presenting and discussing academic papers with experienced faculty, and provide opportunities for networking. Funding is also available for you to attend and present papers at academic conferences.
LSE Careers has a team dedicated to PhD students offering a wide range of resources and advice. You'll receive regular updates on career events and workshops offered by LSE Careers and the LSE’s PhD Academy. Research based employment opportunities are communicated to students in our newsletters and email updates.
All career services are available to PhD students, and for PhD alumni for up to five years after completing your PhD.
Browse LSE’s wide range of services for PhD students and research staff.
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