PhD Student Welcome

Your first few weeks at LSE are an exciting time, and you'll receive information from a range of teams across the School. To help you stay on track, we've brought together essential guidance in our Your First Weeks webpage.

There you'll find information on:

• Arriving at LSE
• Opening a bank account
• Setting up your LSE IT account
• Arriving early or late
• Accessing support services
• Settling into life at LSE

Visit the Your First Weeks webpage 

Specific information and guidance about your PhD programme and departmental activities will be provided by your academic department. You can find a helpful list of PhD contacts in your academic department here.

The PhD Academy will also host a Welcome Session on 23 September 2026. 

A Welcome Talk at 2pm in the Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House followed by a Reception and Services Fair at the PhD Academy from 3pm

Once you have completed your on-campus enrolment with the PhD Academy, you will receive your LSE ID card.

Your ID card provides access to School buildings and facilities, including the Library and other secure areas across campus.

If you experience any issues with your card, please contact the PhD Academy team.

If you are joining LSE from outside the UK, there are dedicated services available to help you settle into life at the School.

Student Advice and Engagement Team

The Student Advice and Engagement Team provides expert guidance on immigration, visas and related matters throughout your studies.

English Language Support

The Centre for Language Studies offers English language courses and support designed specifically for international students, helping you develop your academic communication and language skills.

Your PhD journey is unique, but there are key milestones and processes that every research student will encounter along the way.

The PhD Journey page provides guidance on:

• Attendance and engagement
• Progression and upgrade
• Changes to your study arrangements
• Examination process and viva 
• Thesis submission
• Degree award

Whether you're just starting your research or preparing to submit your thesis, this page will help you understand what's required at each stage.

Explore the PhD Journey

The PhD Academy's Training and Development Programme is designed to support you throughout your time at LSE.

Our programme offers workshops, courses and events that help you:

• Develop your research and academic skills
• Strengthen your writing and thesis planning
• Manage your time and workload effectively
• Build professional and career development skills
• Share your research with wider audiences
• Support your wellbeing throughout your studies

Whether you're looking to improve your academic practice or explore future career opportunities, there's training available at every stage of your PhD.

See our events and courses

The PhD Academy is home to the LSE ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) it is one of 15 ESRC recognised advanced training centres for postgraduate students in the UK.

The DTP supports ESRC-funded students through:

• Studentship funding (More information about funding is on the Financial Support Office webpage.)
• Research training
• Professional development opportunities
• Overseas fieldwork and collaboration funding
• Overseas institutional visits
• Student-led training and cohort activities (More information is available on the DTP Student Event Funding webpage.)

Students have access to additional development opportunities and funding throughout their doctoral studies, helping them build research expertise and professional networks.

Find out more about the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership

Starting a PhD is rewarding, but it can also be challenging. The PhD Academy and wider School offer a range of services to support your wellbeing, personal development and academic success.

You'll find information on:

• Wellbeing support
• Disability and neurodiversity services
• Financial support
• Academic and personal guidance
• Sources of help when you need advice or support

Explore student support and wellbeing services

Wellbeing Sessions

As part of the PhD Academy's training programme, Dr Serena Sharma runs wellbeing sessions every two weeks during term time. These informal 90-minute sessions provide an opportunity to pause, reflect and connect with fellow research students.

Book sessions here