Visiting Research Student in Finance

We welcome research students from other universities to spend from one term up to one academic year at LSE as a Visiting Research Student (VRS).

The VRS scheme allows students who are registered as doctoral researcher at other institutions to participate in research activities in the department and the School, to interact with other research students, and to benefit from the expertise of LSE faculty, the training offered by the PhD Academy, and LSE Library facilities. Note that Visiting Research Students don’t have access to any LSE taught courses.

We welcome applications that complement the academic interests of faculty members in the department and we recommend that you investigate their research interests before applying. Once you have found an academic whose research interests are relevant to your own you should contact them directly, outlining your proposed area of research, to see if they’ll agree, in principle, to act as an advisor during your time at LSE.

As a VRS, you won’t be able to take accredited or examined courses or be fully supervised in the same way as an LSE doctoral student. You’ll be able to participate in doctoral workshops and research seminars, interact with other doctoral students, and discuss your research with your nominated advisor. You’re expected to be self-funded.

Because of its emphasis on independent research, the VRS scheme is better suited to students who are at an advanced stage in their doctoral training and research.

The Department of Finance is one of the largest and most highly respected finance groups in the UK and Europe.

With a longstanding reputation for excellence in both teaching and research, we offer various undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes.

Our research and teaching span the full range of financial sub-fields, including:

• corporate finance
• asset pricing theory
• risk management
• empirical analysis of capital markets
• behavioural finance
• portfolio analysis
• derivatives pricing
• microstructure
• financial econometrics.

We're also closely associated with two leading research groups at LSE – the Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre, which host seminars, conferences and public lectures by renowned academics and practitioners.

Our research is regularly published in leading academic journals globally. Faculty members work closely with national and international institutions, such as the Bank of England and the World Bank, informing policy at the highest levels.

The department was ranked the top place to study finance in the Good University Guide 2024.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Finance

To apply as a visiting research student, you apply in the same way as for our MRes/PhD programmes, with the same entry criteria. Find the entry criteria for the MRes/PhD Finance.

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
• GRE/GMAT
• 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.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not 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 from other students.

Statement of Academic Purpose

Your Statement of Academic Purpose should clearly explain:

• why you want to do research in finance
• how your studies and experience make you suitable to do research in finance.

Research interests

Your research interests should be submitted in place of the outline research proposal, along with your application form and other required supporting documents, via the LSE online application system.

Which aspect of the PhD do you think you will like the most? Which will you dislike the most? Why? (up to 200 words)

Tell us about your favourite paper in financial economics. What do you like about it? How would you improve it? (up to 400 words)

Write a comment for a general audience on a topic/question that interests you in finance: (up to 400 words).

Sample topics might include:

• Is CEO compensation excessive?
• Markets function well as information is aggregated efficiently through prices.
• What are the benefits of shareholder activism?

GRE/GMAT

GMAT or GRE is required from all applicants (GRE is preferred)

More about GRE/GMAT

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.