Overview
The PhD and MRes programmes are closely linked to our growing and dynamic research culture. You'll benefit from engaging with highly qualified academic staff, working alongside a portfolio of dynamic and popular masters programmes.
Academic supervision
A member of staff, expert in the chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme. As a research student you'll become part of our thriving academic community. Explore the staff, facilities and more in the Division of Social Sciences.
Research areas
- Parliaments and legislatures
- Political institutions
- Engagement and participation
- Representation
- Theories of democracy
- Political narratives and storytelling
- Elections and voting
- Civil society
- The voluntary sector
- Charities
- NGOs
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Race
- Race, Disproportionality and Social Justice
- Globalisation
- International relations
- Migration
- Human rights
- Genocide
- Crimes against humanity
- Social movements
- Women's movements
- Elites and networks
- Agency
- Development studies
- Youth crime and desistance
- Youth Safety
- Young people and justice
- Youth work/youth policy
- Prostitution
- Human trafficking
- Violence against women and girls
- Policing
- Education for sustainability
- Politics of sustainability
- Politics and climate change
- Social science research methods
- Twentieth century Britain
- Welfare and social policy
- Social history
- Political violence and state harms
- State violence, harm and international justice
- Criminalisation of dissent
- Prison and prison experiences
- Penal theories and policies
- Experiences of the criminal justice system, imprisonment, violence and trauma
- Peacebuilding
- Transitional justice
- Aesthetics
- The Holocaust
- Empire and contemporary imperialism
- Fascism/contemporary right wing extremism/populism
- China and the world system
- Contemporary China
Research culture
Research students who study at LSBU become a vital part of our dynamic research culture and are one of the essential elements which make LSBU an exciting intellectual environment.
All research students are enrolled in the LSBU’s postgraduate Key Skills programme. In addition, you can undertake research methods training from relevant MA and MSc courses, as well as taking part in specialist events and activities, which ensure an inclusive and thriving research culture.
MRes programme
An MRes is distinct from a taught Masters in that your final output will be an extended dissertation (30,000 words) rather than module-based coursework and exams.
PhD programme
A PhD, by definition, is an original contribution to knowledge. A research degree is different from a taught course. Research students are expected to self-direct their learning with support from a supervisory team.
To find out more about what to include in your proposal download our Law and Social Sciences PhD Proposal Guidelines (PDF File 97 KB) presentation.
Research Excellence Framework (REF)
In the 2014 REF 75% of our research into Social Work and Social Policy was awarded the quality rating of 3* out of 4* for 'environment' - quality that is defined as conducive to producing research of internationally excellent quality, in terms of its vitality and sustainability. We receive a wide range of external funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Department for International Development (DfID), the British Academy, charities, government departments and local authorities.
| ModePhD Full-time | Duration3 years | Start dateJanuary; April; September | Application code9019 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| ModePhD Part-time | Duration5 years | Start dateJanuary; April; September | Application code9039 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| ModeMRes Full-time | Duration1 year | Start dateJanuary; April; September | Application code4985 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| ModeMRes Part-time | Duration2 years | Start dateJanuary; April; September | Application code4986 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Watch our video to see how you can make yourself at home studying at LSBU.
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Need further information? Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.
When applying for a Research Degree Programme at LSBU you are expected to have a 2.1 honours degree, and a relevant Postgraduate qualification at Masters level would be beneficial.
If you have the equivalent of lower second class honours you would also need a Postgraduate qualification at Masters level.
You will also be required to show proof of all of your qualifications. If English is not your first language you will be expected to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 at postgraduate level.
Choose your country
Select country here:
Select a state
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
United Kingdom
£5010
Tuition fees for home students
International
£17600
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
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Part-time
part-time
PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 1PS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2505 International fee: £8800 AOS/LSBU code: 4986 Session code: 1PS00 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 1
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 1DS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 1PS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 1PS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2505 International fee: £8800 AOS/LSBU code: 4986 Session code: 1PS10 MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2410 International fee: £8450 AOS/LSBU code: 4986 Session code: 1PS20 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 1
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 1DS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 1DS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 2PS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £2505 International fee: £8800 AOS/LSBU code: 4986 Session code: 2PS00 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 2
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 2DS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 2PS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 2PS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £2505 International fee: £8800 AOS/LSBU code: 4986 Session code: 2PS10 MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £2410 International fee: £8450 AOS/LSBU code: 4986 Session code: 2PS20 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 2
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 2DS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 2DS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 3
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 3PS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 3
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 3DS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 3
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 3PS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 3
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 3PS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 3
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 3DS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 3DS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 4
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 4PS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 4
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 4DS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 4
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 4PS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 4
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 4PS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 4
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 4DS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 4
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 4DS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 5
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 5PS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 5
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 5DS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 5
UK fee: £3006 International fee: £10560 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 5PS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 5
UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: 5PS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 5
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £5010 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 5DS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 5
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £4820 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: 5DS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £25290 International: £25290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £1240 International fee: £1240 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: WUS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 6
UK fee: £1240 International fee: £1240 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: WUS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £1240 International fee: £1240 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: WUS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9039 Session code: WUS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 6
UK fee: £1240 International fee: £1240 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: WUS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £26290 International: £26290 PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9075 Session code: WUS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £25290 International: £25290 -
Full-time
full-time
MRes Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 4985 Session code: 1FS00 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 1FS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 MRes Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 4985 Session code: 1FS10 MRes Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 4985 Session code: 1FS20 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 1FS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 1FS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 2FS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 2FS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 2FS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 3FS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £5010 International fee: £17600 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 3FS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £4820 International fee: £16900 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: 3FS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £1240 International fee: £1240 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: WUS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £1240 International fee: £1240 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: WUS10 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £16270 International: £54040 PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190 AOS/LSBU code: 9019 Session code: WUS20 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15650 International: £51890
For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.
At the LSBU Doctoral College we are committed to supporting and developing professional researchers who are driven to make a difference. We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations - and when they're available we'll publish notices on the LSBU Doctoral College site.
Home and International entry
| Mode PhD Full-time | Duration 3 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9019 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| Mode PhD Part-time | Duration 5 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 9039 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| Mode MRes Full-time | Duration 1 year | Start date January; April; September | Application code 4985 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| Mode MRes Part-time | Duration 2 years | Start date January; April; September | Application code 4986 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Home/EU postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system.
Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
International applicants should use our international application system. Full details can be found on our How to apply section for international students.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,043 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).
Considering your application
Your application will be circulated to a number of potential supervisors who will look at your academic qualifications, experience and the research proposal to decide whether your research interest is something that could be supervised at LSBU.
There will also be an interview either by telephone or at the University. If you are successful you will be offered a place on a course and informed of the next enrolment date. The whole process normally takes between six to eight weeks, from receipt of your application to a decision being made about your application at the School.
Research proposal
The Director of Postgraduate Research Studies for the School of Law and Social Sciences (LSS) is Dr Helen Young but you should contact an appropriate potential supervisor in the first instance.
Before applying formally, we would strongly recommend that you discuss your draft proposal with a potential supervisor whose profile indicates that their research area is similar to yours. See the list of supervisors below.
If you are a PhD applicant, please attach an outline of your research proposal (up to 1,000 words).
To find out more about what to include in your proposal download our Law and Social Sciences PhD Proposal Guidelines (PDF File 97 KB) presentation.
If you are an MRes applicant, please provide a short statement, of no more than 500 words, outlining the area of research you are interested in focusing on.
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
Careers
LSBU CareerSmart
LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:
- AI Powered Career Sets - Get instant personalised feedback on your CV and cover letter by submitting it via our AI powered career tool.
- Gamification Interviews - Get ready to pass those interviews with unlimited training access to our gamification interviews and psychometric tests!
- Personalised Career Development Dashboard - Keep up with your skills progression with free access to practical assessments, LinkedIn learning, mentoring, and industry-standard facilities.
We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.
Research skills development
All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through frequent research seminars.
When necessary the research student can follow, in part, relevant Masters courses available within the School and in particular units on research methodology. In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University or externally aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas.
In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers.
Transferable skills
A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.
Attending conferences
Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences and to meet leading scientists in their fields and to present their research findings. The progress of all research students is formally monitored by the University's Research Degree Committee.