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December 13th, 2023

Tips for preparing your research proposal for your phd application to lse.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

The research proposal is one of the most important aspects of your application to study at LSE. It’s an opportunity to introduce yourself as a scholar: what types of research questions are the most interesting to you? What type of contribution can you make to your field of study? But just because it’s important, that doesn’t mean it needs to be a stressful process. Here are my top tips for crafting your PhD research proposal!

What is required?

It might seem basic, but it is essential to understand what the requirements are for your research proposal before you start writing. The LSE website provides some guidelines, but it is also helpful to carefully check the website for your chosen department ; they might provide some more discipline-specific guidelines and advice. Take note of specific formatting requirements (such as word count limits) so that you don’t get to the end of your proposal and realise that you’ve written something that is way too long or way too short.

Where to start?

It’s okay if you feel overwhelmed and are unsure of where to start. Perhaps start with a brainstorm: write down all the different ideas that you have and start looking to see connections and common themes between your ideas. This can help clarify where your interests lie. It can also be helpful to refresh your knowledge of recent existing literature in your field. Remember to keep the scope of a PhD in mind when you are outlining your proposal – there is a time limit to the PhD and you want to be realistic that what you are proposing is something that can be accomplished in your time at LSE.

Who to ask for help?

I found, personally, that the best people who provided help with my research proposal were professors at the university where I completed my master’s degree. These were professors who were also acting as my academic referees, so they were very familiar with the type of research I wanted to conduct and were familiar with my previous work. Whether you ask former professors, your potential future LSE supervisor, or your peers for help in reviewing your research proposal and offering feedback, make sure you send it to people early! Your proposal will benefit from having the time to make revisions, and you don’t want to feel forced to rush the writing or editing process.

Don’t bury your ideas in the proposal and make the reader search for them! Be clear about what your proposed research is about, why it is important, and how your work will contribute to the existing field of scholarship. You will want to try to make a strong case not only for why the topic is important but also why you are qualified to conduct this research. Demonstrate your knowledge of the field and any specific skills you might have. For history, for example, it would be important to highlight your language skills if you are proposing a topic that deals with documents in other languages.

Write and re-write

At the end of the day, the best way to get started on your research proposal is to start writing early, give yourself plenty of time to seek feedback, and ideally be able to do multiple revisions of your proposal before the deadline. Don’t panic if your first full draft doesn’t seem polished and refined enough; it will get sharper and better with each round of edits and revisions that you make.

Key takeaway

One of the hardest things with writing is to simply start. Looking at a blank page can feel overwhelming and even intimidating. The requirements for a research proposal (original research, clear and concise writing, showcasing your knowledge of your field) can seem daunting. But if you give yourself enough time to write multiple drafts and fully flesh out your ideas, you will likely surprise yourself with the quality of your final proposal when you submit it as part of your application.

About the author

Hi, I'm Mina Rigby-Thompson and I'm in the first year of my MPhil/PhD in International History. I'm from Canada and am really enjoying my first year of living in London. Outside of academics, you'd most likely find me exploring new coffee shops or taking a swim!

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How and when should I apply? Is there a deadline?

9-oct-2023 • graduate admissions article.

All applications are made online , and all supporting documentation may be uploaded with your application.

You do not need to complete the form in one sitting; you can return to your partially completed application by logging in to the system using the email address and password you created at the start of the process.

Please note, your application will not be processed until we have received all the required documents for the programme(s) you have applied to.

If you are unable to complete an online application because of a disability or medical condition please email [email protected]

You are strongly advised to apply early as competition for programmes at LSE is intense. The most popular courses will start to fill up in March each year, and once a course is filled we cannot accept any more applications.

The application process begins in October every year and as we operate a rolling admission process for the vast majority of our courses, continues until the programme has allocated all of its places.

Applying early will also allow time for you to make the necessary arrangements for accommodation and funding should you be offered a place.

Please note, some programmes (e.g. some MPhil/PhD and MRes/PhD) do have deadlines for applications. These are published on the programme pages and the availability of programmes page, and here .

Before applying please check the available programmes page to ensure the programme is still accepting applications.

Please note, there is no clearing and we do not accept applications once a course is closed - we have built-in mechanisms to take account of late drop-outs.

How do I apply for the LSE PhD Studentship Scheme?

20-sep-2022 • graduate admissions article.

LSE offers a number of major studentships to new PhD students in the form of LSE PhD Studentships and LSE ESRC Studentships.

Each department will be allowed to nominate a limited number of candidates for these awards. Decisions are made according to academic merit and research potential.

In order to be considered for a Studentship, please take note of the deadlines for each round of considerations . Additionally some departments may have their own deadlines, please check your chosen programmes entry for further details.

For the most up to date information regarding financial assistance please check the Financial Support Office website.

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LSE PhD Studentships

It was a huge honour to receive funding from such a prestigious institution

For 2024 entry, LSE will be offering studentships to new PhD students, in 2023 this was 88, in the form of LSE PhD Studentships, LSE DTP  ESRC Studentships  and London Arts and Humanities Partnership (LAHP)  Studentships.

The awards are open to high calibre students of all nationalities studying across all research areas at the School.

Eligibility

LSE PhD Studentships are tenable for four years and cover full fees and an annual stipend, which for 2024 entry is £21,237. They are available for UK and international students undertaking research in any LSE discipline, with annual renewal subject to satisfactory academic performance.

These awards will be made solely on the basis of outstanding academic merit and research potential. This relates both to your past academic record and to an assessment of your likely aptitude to complete a PhD in your chosen topic in the time allocated.

How to apply

Academic departments nominate students for consideration by a School panel for all PhD funding opportunities they may be eligible for. There is no separate application for any of these studentships.

To be considered for this funding, you must submit your complete application for admission to LSE by a specific date. This date differs by academic department. Refer to the individual programme page for the relevant deadline information.  Find your graduate programme .

• deadline for the research programme in the Law School for 2024 entry: 1 December 2023
• deadline for the research programme in the Department of Economics for 2024 entry (including PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 14 December 2023
• funding deadline for first round of PhD Studentships and for ESRC funding for 2024 entry: 15 January 2024
• London Arts and Humanities Partnership (LAHP) PhD Scholarships  deadline: 26 January 2024, 17:00 GMT
• funding deadline for second round of PhD Studentships deadline for 2024 entry (some departments only): 25 April 2024

Find out about ESRC Studentships .

More information on how to apply for a place on a PhD programme .

Student stories

"I received an LSE PhD Studentship, which covers both my tuition and living expenses. It was a huge honour to receive funding from such a prestigious institution and without this support it would have been impossible for me to pursue my PhD."

Katherine Furman East London, South Africa MPhil/PhD Philosophy LSE PhD Studentship

ESRC Studentships Scholarships for PhD study and master's linked to a PhD

How to apply The application process, UCAS and when to apply

Undergraduate fees and funding Details on available scholarships, bursaries, loans and tuition fees

Graduate fees and funding Details on available scholarships, bursaries, loans and tuition fees

Contact us Get in touch with the Financial Support Office

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Winter break Monday 15 December 2025 - Friday 16 January 2026

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Attendance and employment

Students on full-time 12-month taught Master's programmes are required to study for a full calendar year. This means that students are expected to study beyond the end of the Spring term to prepare their dissertations in time for September submission.

Taught Masters students and some PhD students who are Student visa holders will continue to be restricted to term-time levels of permissible hours of work during the summer, paid or unpaid. More information on working during studies can be found on the School’s Working on a visa in the UK page .

Previous term dates

Michaelmas Term Monday 26 September – Friday 9 December 2022 Reading week: Monday 31 October – Friday 4 November 2022

January exams Monday 9 – Friday 13 January 2023

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Summer Term Tuesday 2 May (due to May bank holiday) – Friday 16 June 2023

For 12-month master's students and students in Year 2 of a 24-month master's programme, Summer Term extends until the official end date of your programme.

Please note: term names changed at the start of the 2023/24 academic year, which is reflected above.

Michaelmas Term Monday 27 September – Friday 10 December 2021

January exams Monday 10 – Friday 14 January 2022

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• PhD in Economics

31 January 2024

01 october 2024, 15 august 2024, phd programs, regular fees: 1000 czk, stipends are available for phd students.

The PhD in Economics is a western-style program designed for outstanding students who are interested in economic research and desire a rigorous graduate education in Economics at a prestigious international institution. Similar to top western institutions, the program consists of two years of MA-level coursework and two or more years of dissertation research. After two years, students receive a US MA in Economics degree. Graduates receive both US and Czech doctoral degrees. The majority of students receive a tuition waiver and a living stipend.   

Why should you consider CERGE-EI for your postgraduate degree?

Rankings and International Recognition ●    CERGE-EI is ranked in the top 5% of economic departments/research institutions worldwide according to Social Science Research Network (SSRN) and Research Papers in Economics (RePEc). ●    CERGE-EI operates under Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe, ranked #288 in QS World Rankings 2023 and among the top 150 universities in Economics and Econometrics in the 2022 QS World University Ranking by Subjects, Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 (Shanghai Ranking), and World University Rankings 2022 by Subject (Times Higher Education Ranking). ●    CERGE-EI has been recognized as a Center of Excellence by both the European Union and the US government.

Faculty and Researchers ●    CERGE-EI faculty members are outstanding researchers who publish widely across a broad range of fields in theoretical and applied economics. They hold PhDs from many of the worlds’ top graduate programs including Princeton University, the University of Chicago, the London School of Economics, and University College London. ●    CERGE-EI faculty members work in governmental advisory boards and contribute to public policy debate. Many participate in the activities of IDEA , a CERGE-EI think-tank focusing on policy-relevant research and recommendations. ●    CERGE-EI researchers have been awarded 3 grants by the European Research Council (ERC) - the most prestigious sponsor of excellent research in Europe.  ●    CERGE-EI hosts various public lectures, external presentations from IMF, OECD and more. Its faculty and researchers serve as discussants at these events. 

Individual Approach ●    Thanks to the small size of the institution, students are able to discuss their research interests and ideas in depth with faculty members.  ●    The Academic Skills Centre helps students develop their professional written and oral communication skills, and formulate the results of their economic research projects in the form of high-quality MA Thesis and high-impact presentations to specialized researchers and to the public. ●    The Study Affairs Team provides students with complete personalized support, ranging from admissions support, visa and accommodation assistance, to adapting to life in Prague.

Career Prospects ●    CERGE-EI graduates are employed in 40+ countries worldwide. They hold high-level positions in international organizations, including World Bank, IMF, EBRD, OECD, government ministries and central banks, think-tanks, and private sector organizations, including major banks and consulting firms. Others pursue academic careers in prestigious university departments around the world.  Individual Approach

Unique Location CERGE-EI is located in the center of Prague, a 5-minute walk from Wenceslas Square, and offers a beautiful study environment in the historical Schebek Palace with excellent facilities (Jan Kmenta Library, Digital Media Center, study areas)

Admissions  Deadline: Deadline: 31 March (or 15 August in case of 2nd application round)

Entry requirements:  ●    Completed BA or MA degree or equivalent  ●    Proficiency in spoken and written English  ●    Strong background in mathematics ●    Previous education in economics highly recommended 

Online Application must include:  ●    Curriculum vitae  ●    Statement of motivation  ●    Copies of BA/MA diplomas and complete transcripts  ●    Proof of English proficiency level  ●    Contact details for 2-3 referees 

The Admissions Committee evaluates whether the applicant's background, qualifications and professional interests sufficiently meet the requirements of the program and are in accordance with the research focus of CERGE-EI. Applicants are notified of the admission decision within 2 weeks after the application deadline. Exceptionally strong candidates are admitted directly, other less strong but still sufficiently qualified candidates are invited to the Preparatory 'semester' (April-June, online). The academic year starts at the beginning of October.

Events for Applicants

CERGE-EI  organizes various events for applicants (Open Day, Webinars, Coffee Breaks with Alumni, etc.). You can find the current offer in the  calendar on our website . 

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11121 Prague , Czechia

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