lse philosophy of science phd

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Philosophy of Science

Entry requirements.

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline. You should also demonstrate a considered interest in the area covered by the MSc.

Months of entry

Course content.

About the MSc programme

With a deep and rigorous programme of coursework and research in the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method , the MSc Philosophy of Science explores both general questions about the nature of science and specific foundational issues related to the individual sciences.

The degree consists of two kinds of courses. The first are courses in general philosophy of science which cover topics like the nature of scientific explanation, the character of laws of nature, the construction of scientific models, the role of experiments in confirming hypotheses, the use probabilities in scientific reasoning, and function of scientific evidence in policy making. The second are courses that cover foundational problems which arise in connection with the special sciences. Here students can choose from a wide range of courses on topics including the philosophy of physics, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, economics, law, and the study of gender and race.

The programme embodies the LSE’s distinctive approach to philosophy in which philosophical analysis is continuous with scientific practice. The department delivers research-led teaching, meaning that all courses are taught by faculty whose research is in the subject area of the courses they teach. The programme caters for everybody who wishes to embark on this journey. It is designed to be accessible and stimulating for two main audiences: those who have studied science as undergraduates and would now like to study the philosophical foundations and methodology of science in depth, and those who have studied philosophy and would now like to delve deeper into the philosophy of science.

Students who graduate from this programme have a wide range of options available to them. The programme provides an ideal springboard for a PhD and an academic career. But the programme also equips students with the skills to succeed in a broad range of other careers. Graduates from this programme have got into careers in the tech sector, consultancy, banking, journalism, government agencies, insurance, the construction industry; some work in think thanks of NGOs; and some have even become entrepreneurs and run their own start-up.

Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method

Founded in 1946 by the eminent philosopher of science Sir Karl Popper, LSE’s Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method is the ideal place to explore conceptual, methodological and foundational issues in the sciences. Along with the closely related Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science (CPNSS), it enjoys an international reputation for its cutting-edge research, bustling seminar series, innovative workshops and conferences, and distinguished faculty and visitors. All events organised by the Department and the Centre are open to students in the programme, who will have opportunity to participate in pioneering research events and hear about new ideas from those who develop them.

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students

Fees and funding

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme. Visit the website for more information about the fees .

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships.

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.

Find out more about financial support.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

MPhil/PhD Social Research Methods

Introduction.

Through this programme, you'll expand your expertise and creativity in developing and applying rigorous social research methodologies. By doing so, you'll contribute to tackling important intellectual and social problems in your substantive area of interest.

Throughout your studies, you’ll benefit from our interdisciplinary expertise in areas such as political science, statistics, sociology, social psychology, anthropology and criminology.

Alongside your research, you’ll have the chance to complete training in research design, computational, quantitative and qualitative methods. You’ll begin your studies on the MPhil and move on to the PhD (subject to certain requirements).

We support both qualitative and quantitative research, as well as novel combinations of the two approaches.

We encourage you to apply if you want to work on a research project that applies established methodological approaches rigorously in new contexts, and/or that contributes to methodological developments.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is an upper second class honours (2:1) degree and a merit in an MSc broadly similar to the MSc Social Research Methods, or equivalent.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

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 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.

Programme content

In addition to progressing with your research, you're expected to take a selection of training and transferable skills courses. You'll discuss with your supervisor whether the first year courses you take will be examined. You may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with your supervisor. The courses you take may also include ones from other institutes or departments at LSE, dependent on your needs.

A selection of training courses from an approved list

Department of methodology seminar.

In addition to the research seminar, you'll take transferable skills courses.

At the end of your second year (full-time), you'll need to satisfy certain requirements and if you meet these, will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.

Programme regulations at LSE

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 events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

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 global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always 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 department

The department is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in social science research methodology.

We offer postgraduate programmes in social research methods, applied social data science and demography, welcoming around 80 students each year.

As a department, we also provide training for thousands of students and staff across LSE on research design, qualitative, quantitative and computational methods. From workshops on computer programming and methods-related software through to short courses, we want to ensure that students and staff have the expertise to maintain the School’s excellence in social scientific research.

The department has a vibrant and collaborative ethos. We’re proud to have won the 2023 LSE SU Teaching Award for Departmental Excellence – based on student nominations.

Our teaching team include leading researchers in sociology, political science, international relations, anthropology, economics, psychology, criminology, and statistics. We also work closely with colleagues in the departments of Statistics and Mathematics on interdisciplinary topics, such as the social applications of data science.

Our aim is to make the School the pre-eminent centre for methodological training in the social sciences.

Department of Methodology

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Your application, when to apply.

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 encourage prospective students to email their proposals to potential supervisors before applying to gauge their interest. Browse our list of potential supervisors for MPhil/PhD Social Research Methods under "academic staff" .

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
• 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.

Research proposal requirements

The Department of Methodology requires you to submit a proposal summarising and justifying your proposed research, to be attached to your formal application. This will provide the selectors with an idea of the topics of interest, and help in matching candidates to potential supervisors.

The research proposal should include the following questions:

• Why is the topic interesting?

What is the central research question? Is there a theoretical and empirical "gap" that your research will seek to fill? Is there a theoretical or empirical contradiction that your research will seek to resolve? How will your research take our understanding forward in your chosen field? What core theories and concepts will you draw on?

• What are the relevant literature(s) and field(s) the work will contribute to?

What are the main theories in the area? What are the critical empirical phenomena in the area? Specify the key references relevant to the proposed research.

• How will you address the empirical aspects of the research?

What empirical (qualitative and/or quantitative) information do you propose to collect, how, from where, and why? What methodology of analysis is appropriate and why? If the research question requires a combination of different methodologies, how will they be related? Do you foresee any practical difficulties in pursuing the research (eg finding suitable participants or data sources)? If so, how might they be overcome?

The application deadline for this programme is 25 April 2025 .

However, 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.

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 student fee (2025/26)

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 student fee (2025/26)

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).

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 based on guidelines provided by the Department for Education.

Further information about fee status classification .

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

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 , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . To be considered, you’ll need to submit your application (and any supporting documents) before the funding deadline.

Funding deadlines

Deadline for the LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2025 .

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, how you're assessed, supervision.

You'll be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

First year review

In the Spring Term of your first year, you're required to produce a 10,000-word "first year review" that outlines the aims and methods of your thesis: this means summarising the key literature(s), motivating your specific research questions, and highlighting the planned contributions of your work. A first year review document typically includes a general introduction, a comprehensive literature review (covering relevant empirical and theoretical work), a motivation of the research questions and hypotheses, and an indication of the literature(s) that you seek to contribute to (ie, the gaps in knowledge that will be addressed). You'll also give an oral presentation of your proposal at the Department of Methodology PhD day.

Written and oral work will be assessed by two academics (not on the supervisory team), normally members of Department of Methodology staff. This work has to reach an acceptable standard to enable you to progress to the second year. It's particularly important that the first year review clearly states the objectives of the doctoral research and indicates how the empirical work will be carried out.

If the panel deems the first year review to be not suitably clear, they can choose not to accept the submitted document and give you up to a month to clarify. This decision will be taken maximum one week after the Department of Methodology PhD Day. Examples of unclear work might include (but not be limited to):

• a first year review that doesn't state clear research questions
• a first year review that doesn't adequately review the specific literatures that the empirical work is contributing to
• a first year review that doesn't give enough methodological detail, showing how the design will produce data that allows you to address the theoretical issues at stake in a systematic and rigorous way.

After your first year

After the first year you'll spend more time on independent study under the guidance of your supervisor(s). This will involve the collection, organisation and analysis of data, and writing up the results. During your second year of registration, you'll typically submit three (minimum) draft chapters of your thesis plus a short introduction and a detailed plan for its completion. The three draft chapters will typically include a detailed literature review, specification of research problem(s) and two empirical chapters. If you're pursuing a paper-based thesis, your upgrading documents will typically include a short introduction, a literature review and at least two empirical papers. Whether a traditional or paper-based thesis, the material will be evaluated by an upgrading committee (two academics, not necessarily of the MI or even LSE) who will recommend transferral to PhD registration if your work is judged to be of sufficient quality and quantity.

Throughout the MPhil/PhD and PhD, you'll attend the department's research seminar and other specialist workshops and seminars related to your interests. You must present at every Department of Methodology PhD day.

Graduate destinations

Career support.

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

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

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.

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