lse phd demography

MPhil/PhD in Demography/Population Studies

Programme Code: RPDEPS

Department: Social Policy

For students starting this programme of study in 2020/21

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.

# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.

Progression and Upgrade requirements: Each student is required to undertake Major Review in the summer term of their first year (second year for part-time students). For Major Review they must submit a 10,000 word document with a detailed thesis proposal, their research question, a literature review, a description of their methodology, their plans for data collection and a timetable through to completion. They are interviewed on this document by senior staff who make the decision on upgrading.  Each year post-Major Review, every student is expected to submit a 1,000 to 2,000 word progress report, approved by supervisors, to the Research Students' Programme Director.  Each pre-Major Review student is expected to make a presentation on their proposed research to the SP501 seminar prior to the submission of their major review document and to address issues raised by the Research Students' Programme Director(s).

Note for prospective students: For changes to graduate course and programme information for the next academic session, please see the  graduate summary page for prospective students . Changes to course and programme information for future academic sessions can be found on the  graduate summary page for future students .

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Demography (Social/Formal)

Entry requirements.

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is an upper second class honours (2:1) bachelor's degree (or equivalent), plus high merit (65+) in a master’s degree or equivalent in a social science subject, preferably in demography, sociology, economics, social policy, methodology, geography, gender or public policy and a high merit (65+) in the dissertation.

Months of entry

Course content.

About the MPhil/PhD programme

Demography is the study of human populations, past, present and future. It is concerned with how births, deaths, and migration determine change, and so determine key trends such as rapid population growth and population ageing. It includes the analysis of characteristics that determine the components of change and/or are affected by population structure, such as age, sex, marital and health status, and the composition of families and households.

This PhD programme aims to provide you with the skills and competencies that will enable you to successfully undertake original primary research worthy of publication in the field of demography. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

You will be offered supervision in a wide range of specialist topics and become a member of a vibrant and exciting research community. You will have access to a full collection of UK, US and EU public documents, parliamentary papers and statistical data as well as the use of computer facilities dedicated to research students.

Department of Methodology

The Department of Methodology is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching in the area of social science research methodology. The disciplinary backgrounds of the staff include political science, statistics, sociology, social psychology, anthropology and criminology. The Department coordinates and provides a focus for methodological activities at the School, in particular in the areas of graduate student (and staff) training and of methodological research.

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.

LSE offers studentships to new PhD students in the form of LSE PhD Studentships, LSE ESRC Studentships, LAHP AHRC Studentships and LSE & III PhD Studentships on Analysing and Challenging Inequalities.

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

Find out more about financial support.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

• Recent Posts
• Publications

Dijana Spasenoska

February 13th, 2020, why i chose the department of social policy at lse to study political changes and population health.

1 comment | 2 shares

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

The first-year PhD cohort at the LSE’s Department of Social Policy includes students in the Social Policy and the Demography/Population Studies programmes. At a recent seminar, they discussed why they chose this programmes, and the pros and cons of being in a multidisciplinary department. The conversation generated six posts that will be posted on the Social Policy Blog over the coming weeks, which together demonstrate the wide variety of research topics the department accommodates, and the intellectual, practical, and personal factors that contribute to choosing to study here. This may prove useful for future students who might be deciding whether a research degree at LSE’s Social Policy department might be right for them, too.

In conversation with  Dijana Spasenoska  

What are you studying? PhD Demography and Population Studies

What is your background? I have a BSc in Biochemistry and MSc in Global Population Health.

Did you apply to other schools? I did not apply to any other schools or programmes.

Why did you choose the Social Policy department?

My general interest has always been health and social policy. I’ve always wanted to do research that will improve people’s health and well-being.

I studied biochemistry to understand health at the individual molecular level. I came to see that genetic inequalities are not the only explanation for the variations in health across populations. External factors, for example socio-economic status, matter too. Although policy cannot modify genetic inequalities, external socio-economic factors can. Thus, I decided to pursue a MSc degree in Global Population Health at the LSE (in the Department of Social Policy) – to learn how to use research to inform policy making.

During my masters I studied subjects such as global health policy, epidemiology, population and development, and demography. After taking those classes, I decided to use a demographic approach to research the impact of socio-economic and political changes on health and mortality. The Department of Social Policy at the LSE offers a very strong PhD programme in Demography and Population Studies, so I decided to apply here.

How is the experience so far? What are the pros and cons?

I really enjoy studying at the LSE! I feel supported by the Department and by my supervisors; everyone is very approachable and friendly. Moreover, Social Policy is a multidisciplinary field; I am surrounded by people from different academic backgrounds, using different research methods, so I am constantly learning new things. Also, as a PhD student I am allowed to audit courses offered by different departments, so this is a great opportunity to strengthen some of my skills or just learn more about subjects that interest me.

Note: This article gives the views of the authors, and not the position of the Social Policy Blog, nor of the London School of Economics.

About the author

Dijana is a PhD candidate in Demography and Population Studies, Department of Social Policy LSE.

Dijana is a person who always takes an action, knows exactly what she want and where she wants to go. I am so so proud of her 🌼

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Related Posts

Why I chose the Department of Social Policy at LSE to study the economics of welfare policy

January 30th, 2020.

Welcome Week 2019 at the Department of Social Policy: Stories for the Year Ahead

October 2nd, 2019.

I am exactly where I am supposed to be

October 14th, 2019.

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Application process

Applying for a phd, introduction.

Known as a research degree, the PhD is usually a four year (full-time) or five to seven year (part-time) course of independent and original research which is supervised by an academic specialist in the subject area. 

You will contribute new research in the form of a thesis suitable for publication which is usually around 100,000 words. It is examined by two examiners, one internal and one external who read your work and then ask you to defend it in an oral exam, the viva voce. 

PhDs are traditionally research based, although the integrated PhDs, also known as New Route PhDs, combine research with more vocational training. Increasingly taught courses are compulsory in the first year. 

Professional doctorates are useful for students interested in careers outside academia and consist of a taught core and incorporate both professional practice and academic knowledge. They are available in education (EdD), engineering (EngD or DEng) and business (DBA). 

Why do a PhD?

People complete PhDs for a variety of reasons: 

love of a particular part of their subject

springboard into a new career

access to excellent resources/training useful for non-academic careers

as a pre-requisite for academic careers.

As well as planning then conducting research and writing the thesis, PhD students will often teach undergraduate or master’s students, support more senior academics in their research work, publish articles, attend and present at conferences, work with business or other organisations to explore the value of their research in other fields outside academia (impact), collaborate with organisations or individuals (knowledge exchange) and contribute to their field in voluntary capacity (for example, as a reviewer, event organiser, network co-ordinator). 

When can I do a PhD?

You can do a PhD if you have at least an Upper Second relevant first degree or a relevant master’s. You must have in-depth knowledge of your subject area and be able to present a comprehensive research proposal. Some people start the PhD straight after completing a master’s, other people work outside academia for a few years and then apply for the PhD. 

Before starting a PhD you could apply for a job as a graduate research assistant where you would support the research of an academic in your department, teach, take part in laboratory work and complete your own research. You could also consider completing a PhD part-time whilst in a job. 

Researching into PhDs

Choosing the right programme takes time and research. It is important to apply to departments that specialise in your topic. Check the research quality assessed in the  Research Excellence Framework  (REF 2014) and also the quality of the teaching in the department via the  Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)  ratings. 

Talk to people who know the field about where they recommend is a good place to study. 

You can apply in one of two ways. You create the topic yourself, pitch it at your preferred institution in a Research Proposal and hope to gain funding via the institution. Alternatively, you can apply to work on a topic which has been agreed between a funding council and an institution and then advertised as a PhD position. If you are accepted funding will be assured. 

We recommend you take time to: 

ask for help from a current or recent academic tutor 

think about the people whose work you like, or who you read regularly, look at their department 

speak to the PhD administrator in departments that you think interest you 

use information on  Find a PhD

book on to a   LSE Careers further study event  

talk through your options with a careers consultant 

use the LSE Careers blog ,  So you’re thinking about a PhD? 5 tips for prospective PhDs .  

Making an application

Read the  LSE guidance on applying for a PhD .  

You will need to write a research proposal, personal statement and have a CV. 

The referees you choose are important as they will write about your academic achievements and potential. Get in touch with them early and ask for their advice too. 

Search  programmes with spaces at LSE . 

Useful publications in the LSE Careers physical library

Your PhD Companion, Stephen Marshall and Nick Green, 2004.

The PhD Application Handbook, Peter Bentley, 2006.

How To Get a PhD: third edition, Estelle Phillips and Derek Pugh, 2001.

Useful online information

Prospects.ac.uk:  postgraduate study and research . 

Find a PhD . 

The Fulbright Commission  for applications and funding in the USA.

Related pages

Watch our latest session on thinking about doing a phd, explore our further study events, book a one-to-one appointment to discuss your application.

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MPhil/PhD Demography (Social/Formal) Scholarship Position, LSE, London, UK

PhD Demography (Social/Formal) Scholarship: Embark on a journey of advanced research in the field of demography at the Department of Methodology, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This scholarship offers an opportunity to delve into the complexities of human population dynamics, shaping your expertise in areas such as births, deaths, migration, and their societal implications. Join a vibrant research community, access extensive resources, and contribute to the field through original research.

Summary Table:

Study Area: Demography – The study of human populations, past, present, and future, analyzing factors such as age, sex, marital and health status, and family composition to understand key trends like population growth and aging.

Scholarship Description:

MPhil/PhD Demography (Social/Formal) Scholarship Position

This PhD program is designed to equip you with the skills for original primary research in demography. Starting with an MPhil, you’ll progress to a PhD through meeting specific criteria. Enjoy supervision in various specialist topics, access to extensive public documents, and dedicated computer facilities for research students.

Eligibility: Applicants should hold a 2:1 bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with a high merit (65+) in a relevant master’s degree in a social science subject . Preferred backgrounds include demography, sociology, economics, social policy, methodology, geography, gender, or public policy.

Required Documents:

• Academic transcripts (existing and pending qualifications)
• Statement of academic purpose
• Outline research proposal
• Sample of written work

How to Apply: Submit your application, including all required documents, before the application deadline. Email research proposals to potential supervisors for feedback before applying. Check the English language requirements and provide evidence if needed.

Last Date: The application deadline for this program is 25 April 2024 . To be considered for LSE funding, submit your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the ‘fees and funding’ section for details.

Take the first step toward becoming a recognized expert in demography – apply for the MPhil/PhD Demography scholarship at LSE.

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PhD programmes

What we offer, lse is one of the world's leading social science research and teaching centres. student life at lse is cosmopolitan and challenging, set at the heart of a major city and surrounded by some of the best facilities for studying to be found anywhere in the world..

World class research in economic, urban & development geography, environmental social science & climate change

We produce world class research in economic, urban and development geography, environmental social science and climate change. Our PhD students operate at the highest academic level, and benefit from being at the forefront of research in their chosen field. PhD students are very much part of the department's research culture. All become members of one of our three research clusters and are involved with staff in relevant seminar and research workshops.

Students are only admitted in fields where there is a strong fit, in terms of interest and expertise, with the focus and capacity of the research clusters.

All programmes have a similar structure and include a strong taught and training element in the first year of study.

We offer five PhD programmes:

• MPhil/PhD Economic Geography
• MPhil/PhD Environmental Economics
• MPhil/PhD Environmental Policy and Development
• MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies
• MPhil/PhD Regional and Urban Planning Studies 

We also offer the following Visiting Research Student programmes: 

• Visiting Research Student in Environmental Policy and Development
• Visiting Research Student in Economic Geography
• Visiting Research Student in Environmental Economics
• Visiting Research Student in Human Geography and Urban Studies
• Visiting Research Student in Regional and Urban Planning

Funding is available from a variety of School administered sources. For information about this, please visit our MPhil/PhD admissions frequently asked questions page . 

PhD Job Market 

See our PhD candidates currently on the job market .

PhD destinations

Click here  to see where our PhD students work after graduating.

See our  MPhil / PhD admissions frequently asked questions .

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7955 7587

Email:  [email protected]

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PhD opportunities at LSE

• Funding deadline for applications: 15 January 2024

ESRC and LSE scholarships are available for the PhD programme in Demography (Social/Formal) at LSE starting in autumn 2024. These studentships can be used to fund a four-year PhD, a masters year in a 1+3 programme or to fund the European Doctoral School of Demography followed by the PhD. We particularly encourage candidates with an interest in data science, advanced quantitative methods, or inequalities to apply.

We recommend potential candidates to consult the list of supervisors at the following link and make contact to discuss their proposal before applying: https://www.lse.ac.uk/Methodology/Research/POP-at-LSE

The funding deadline for applications is 15 January, and you can find more information here: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/degree-programmes-2024/MPhilPhD-Demography-Social-Formal.