Introduction

Known as a research degree, the PhD is usually a four year (full-time) or five to seven year (part-time) course of independent and original research which is supervised by an academic specialist in the subject area. It's a significant commitment of energy, time and forsaken salary which deserves careful consideration.

If your application is succesful, you will contribute new research in the form of a thesis suitable for publication which is usually around 100,000 words. It can be presented as a series of connected papers, or or a single monograph which reads more like a book. It will be examined by two examiners, often one internal and one external who read your work and then ask you to defend it in an oral exam, the viva voce.

What is a PhD?

A PhD is research based and, in some universities, they are known as DPhil. The structure of programmes differ and may include a one-or-two-year MRes course at the start. Increasingly taught courses are compulsory in the first year for every type of programme in the Social Sciences. Professional doctoral qualifications relating to a specific vocation have different names, including PsyD (Psychology), DBA (Business), EdB (Education) or DEng (Engineering).

These qualifications are useful for students interested in careers outside academia and consist of a taught core and incorporate both professional practice and academic knowledge.

Why do a PhD?

People complete PhDs for a variety of reasons:

love of a particular part of their subject
springboard into a new career
access to excellent resources/training useful for non-academic careers
as a pre-requisite for academic careers.

PhD students plan then conduct research and writing the thesis. Additionally, PhD students will often teach undergraduate or master’s students, support more senior academics in their research work, publish articles, attend and present at conferences, work with business or other organisations for public engagement and impact, collaborate with organisations or individuals for knowledge exchange, and contribute to their field in voluntary capacity (for example, as a journal reviewer, event organiser, network co-ordinator).

These skills and experiences are essential for academic careers, they transfer into other occupatonal areas as well.

When can I do a PhD?

You can do a PhD if you have at least an Upper Second relevant first degree or a relevant master’s. You must have in-depth knowledge of your subject area and be able to present a comprehensive research proposal. Some people start the PhD straight after completing a master’s, other people work outside academia for a few years and then apply for the PhD.

Pre-doc work is popular in some disciplines (often quant subjects). Before starting a PhD you could also apply for a job as a graduate research assistant where you would support the research of an academic in your department, and complete your own research. You might consider completing a PhD part-time whilst in a job.

Researching PhDs

Choosing the right programme takes time and research. It is important to apply to departments that specialise in your topic and have an excellent reputation for the type of research you want to do. The quality of the department is more important than the institution and university rankings can give limited insight into the best place for you to study. Check the research quality assessed in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) and the quality of the teaching in the departments in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) ratings.

These ratings can give some insight but we strongly suggest you talk to people who know the field and ask about which departments they recommend.

There are two different types of PhD. Usually, the applicant creates the topic, pitches it in a Research Proposal and hopes to gain a place and funding with their preferred institution. Alternatively, you can apply to work on a topic which has been funded at an institution and then advertised as a PhD position. If you are accepted, funding will be assured and you will do the research agreed between you and your supervisor, part of which will be written up as your PhD thesis.

Contacting potential supervisors is common in many departments (but not all, so read their webpage to check you are making the right approach). An email of introduction expressing your motivation for the topic and asking for their assistance is perfectly normal.

We recommend you take time to:

ask for help from a current or recent academic
think about academics whose work you like, or who you read regularly, look at their department and see if you can attend a PhD insight event
speak to the PhD administrator in departments that you think interest you
use information on Find a PhD
book on to a LSE Careers further study event. We offer termly sessions on 'Thinking about doing a PhD and how to apply'
talk through your options with a careers consultant and plan your approach
read LSE Careers' blog post, So you’re thinking about a PhD? Five tips for prospective PhDs

Making an application

Read the LSE guidance on applying for a PhD. Other institutions will have similar pages.
You will need time to write a research proposal, personal statement and have an academic CV. You can then get feedback on those documents and locate your transcripts.
The referees you choose are important as they will write about your academic achievements, motivation and potential. Get in touch with them early and ask for their advice too.
Search programmes with spaces at LSE.
You may be invited for interview to build relationships with the department and to demonstrate your motivation, commitment and potential in person.
The CV for PhD study should be short and include your academic and employment history or other professional experience, including internships. If you have research experience and skills from work or study, try to make the most of them.