Entry requirement
The minimum entry requirement is a high merit (65+) in a master's degree in a relevant subject, with high merit in the dissertation element, or equivalent.
Doctoral · LSE International Relations
LSE MPhil/PhD International Relations: a 65+ master's, a 65+ dissertation and an upgrade
The LSE MPhil/PhD International Relations sets its minimum at a high merit (65+) in a relevant master's with a high merit in the dissertation, or equivalent, and says applications that do not meet it are not considered eligible. You begin on the MPhil and are upgraded to PhD status at the end of your first year of registration. For an international relations graduate, the decision is whether both your master's mark and your dissertation mark clear the bar. LSE adds that meeting the minimum does not guarantee an offer. This guide sets out what LSE says for the 2027/28 academic year, marks Avandy's judgment separately and ends with next steps.
Official information · last verified for 2027-28 entry
What LSE asks for in LSE MPhil/PhD in International Relations
Taken from the LSE MPhil/PhD International Relations programme page and read on 1 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry. For a 2028-29 start, applied for in 2027-28, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; LSE's requirements, dates and funding for 2028-29 are awaiting publication, and none is stated here.
Length and shape
LSE gives three to four years, with a minimum of two years. Students begin on the MPhil and are upgraded to PhD status at the end of their first year of registration.
LSE's "Research" English level
LSE lists the English language requirement for this programme as "Research", one of its named levels; its English language requirements page says what that level needs.
Competition is strong
LSE says meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place.
Official sources
Read on 1 November 2026 on the LSE MPhil/PhD International Relations programme page, which describes 2027-28 entry. Imperial's deadline, fee and funding tables, scholarship pages, the department's research pages and the University's application guidance were not used and are not stated. No deadline, fee, funding amount or place number is stated.
The decision
Does your degree route meet the stated standard?
This guide concerns only the LSE research degree. The reading below is Avandy's judgment (heuristic), built from what the programme page says.
It fits if
your degrees match the stated entry requirement and you can describe the international relations research you want to do.
Think again if
you are below the stated minimum. The page says competition is strong and the minimum does not guarantee an offer.
English
LSE lists its "Research" English level for this programme; its English language requirements page says what that level needs.
Entry and tests
What LSE lists
The minimum entry requirement is a high merit (65+) in a master's degree in a relevant subject, with high merit in the dissertation element, or equivalent. LSE lists its "Research" English level for this programme and says competition for places is strong.
How the degree runs
Length and structure
LSE gives the length as three to four years, with a minimum of two years. Students begin on the MPhil and are upgraded to PhD status at the end of their first year of registration. Applications that do not meet these criteria are not considered eligible. The Department is organised around four research clusters. This is the 2027/28 page and may change.
Avandy's judgment
Where an application can go wrong
These points are Avandy's heuristic reading of the page. They are not LSE rules and carry no probability.
A strong master's with a weaker dissertation
The page asks for high merit in the dissertation element as well as the degree overall.
Expecting to start as a PhD student
LSE says you begin on the MPhil and are upgraded at the end of the first year of registration.
Reading the minimum as a promise
LSE says meeting the minimum does not guarantee an offer.
Reusing last year's dates
This guide states no date; LSE publishes them per cycle.
Next steps
A sensible order of work
The order is Avandy's suggestion, built from the page's own steps.
Check the degree route
Compare your degrees and marks with the stated minimum.
Define the research area
Write down the international relations question you want to pursue.
Check English
Confirm what LSE's "Research" English level needs and how to meet it.
Prepare the application
Read LSE's application pages for the cycle you apply in.
Planning for 2028-29 entry
Planning for 2028-29 entry: what carries over and what awaits publication
LSE's programme page describes entry in 2027-28. A start in 2028-29 means applying in the 2027-28 cycle, under rules LSE has not yet published. Each item below is either last verified for 2027-28 entry, which means LSE published it for the previous cycle and it may change, or awaiting publication for 2028-29 entry.
The structure of the route and the application
The entry standard, the application items and the research-degree structure are described on Imperial's pages for the 2027-28 cycle. Imperial has not published the following cycle.
Deadlines, places, funding and fees
This guide states none of them. Imperial publishes them per cycle; read them again when they show 2028-29.
What to do now
Check your degree route against the stated minimum, define your international relations research question and check LSE's "Research" English level.
Support
Independent support with the research statement and fit
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the London School of Economics and Political Science or any of its departments, and it has no relationship with any member of staff. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant and a PhD-level Academic Mentor help the applicant test a research idea against the department's published research areas and plan their own statement. Support here is limited to testing a research idea against the department's published research themes and planning the applicant's own statements; it does not extend to contacting staff on the applicant's behalf. Avandy does not write or submit any part of an application, cannot arrange a supervisor and promises no outcome or funding.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does the LSE MPhil/PhD International Relations require?
The minimum entry requirement is a high merit (65+) in a master's degree in a relevant subject, with high merit in the dissertation element, or equivalent.
How long is the degree?
LSE gives the length as three to four years, with a minimum of two years.
Does meeting the minimum ensure an offer?
No. LSE says competition for places is strong and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer.
Does the degree include funding?
This guide did not read LSE's funding sections and states no funding. Check the programme page for the cycle you apply in.
Students and families
Talk to us about the LSE MPhil/PhD in International Relations
Tell us about your degrees, your research experience, the research question you want to pursue and the supervisors or groups you have in mind. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to develop the research statement.