What courses do I have to take during the MPhil/PhD International Relations programme?
In the first year, research students are required to attend the International Relations Research Methods Training Seminar (IR501) which explores the theoretical and practical problems associated with a piece of major research. Study concentrates on epistemological and theoretical issues, with special reference to the context and literature of international relations, and time is also devoted to problems arising from source materials, methodology and normative dilemmas. First year research students are required to attend the International Relations Research Design Workshop (IR509): this is to help students in designing a well thought-out and manageable thesis. We also offer a separate IR509 workshop for second-year research students, where the emphasis is on preparing for the Research Panel at the end of the second year at which upgrade from MPhil to PhD will be decided. All students also have access to courses in general social science methodology offered by LSE’s Methodology Institute
