MPhil/PhD Gender

The MPhil/PhD in Gender is a dynamic programme that will develop your scholarly and career interests, preparing you for the world of academia and policy research. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication, and which makes an original contribution to the field of Gender Studies.

Learning takes the form of courses, workshops, and professional training over your first three years. You’ll begin on the MPhil, and once you’ve met certain requirements, you’ll be upgraded to PhD status.

In your first year, you’ll receive core gender theory, epistemology and methodology training to prepare you for research and writing. You’ll also receive ongoing training throughout your studies in and outside of the department. Fortnightly PhD workshops are also held throughout the programme from Years 1 to 3.

You’ll be matched with your main supervisor who will guide you through the various stages of your research, acting as your point of contact during your time in the department.

The PhD programme aims to attract the very best future researchers, and we’re attentive to questions of power and inequality and their impact on faculty, staff and students. The department has a commitment to social justice and to ensuring an inclusive space for all.

For Gender Theories: An Interdisciplinary Approach, you'll attend only the lectures, and the seminars with permission. At the end of the first year you'll go through your First Year Upgrade viva.

You'll take or audit courses as agreed with your supervisor.

You'll take or audit courses as agreed with your supervisor.

You'll take or audit courses as agreed with your supervisor.

The Department of Gender Studies is internationally renowned for research and teaching in the field. Ours is the largest department of its kind in Europe.

The department’s research, which is arranged into four main strands, explores the tenacity of gender power relations and gendered inequalities. Our 15-strong faculty team includes world-class academics and thought leaders.

As a department, we offer eight master's programmes and a stimulating PhD programme. Each year, our programmes attract 150 students, from many different academic backgrounds and countries. Teaching covers a wide range of themes, from established gender theories to emerging topics and current debates.

We have a vibrant research culture, with resident research fellows, visiting scholars, public lectures and conferences and regular research seminars.

The department provides a focus for gender research at LSE as well as promoting collaboration between policymakers, practitioners and academics. We work closely with other departments, centres and institutes at LSE and foster strong links with institutions around the globe.

Department of Gender Studies

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 carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications)
• statement of academic purpose
• references
• CV
• outline research proposal
• 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.

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.

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2025.

If you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline.

See the fees and funding section below for more details.

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.

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.

Progression and assessment

At the end of the first year you'll go through your First Year Upgrade viva. This is held in the Spring Term and materials should be submitted by the end of the second week of Spring Term. You'll submit a draft chapter, thesis outline, timetable for completion and a research proposal for consideration by a panel consisting of your supervisor and advisor (and occasionally one other person with appropriate expertise). The research proposal follows a specific template and includes research objectives, the methodology and short research rationale. The nature of the chapter should be agreed with your supervisor. Both parts of the assessment focus on your own research and draw on material and debates engaged in during the courses Gender Theories in the Modern World and Gender, Knowledge and Research Practice where relevant. You must pass First Year Upgrade before progressing to the second year.

Expectations for successful upgrading:

• Satisfactory completion of materials for submission and appropriate academic presentation of the same
• Completion of compulsory courses, attendance and contribution to Doctoral Workshop
• Development of appropriate LSE courses in discussion with supervisor
• Events programme attendance.

Having successfully upgraded you'll have an annual review with your supervisor and advisor to ensure satisfactory progress. All students, whether full or part time, undergo an annual review in the Spring Term.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

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.