Program Overview

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MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies

Introduction

This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of Human Geography and Urban Studies. You'll begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

Overview

The MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies aims to:

• provide advanced knowledge of the principles and conceptual foundations of human geographic and urban social science research, together with the research skills and methodological understanding needed to develop original research in the field;
• expose you to the most recent developments and debates in human geography and urban studies;
• prepare you for careers in research, academia, international organisations, urban planning and governance, the consultancy sector and NGOs.

Entry Requirements

The programme is offered in the following alternative formats:

• Either the standalone MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies (+3 route)
• Or combined with the MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies progressing onto the MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies (1+3 Route)

+3 Route: MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies (2-4 years)

The minimum entry requirement for the standalone PhD +3 programme, is a taught master’s degree (or equivalent), with a minimum of 65 per cent average and at least 70 in the dissertation, in a related discipline.

1+3 Route: MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies (1 year) + MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies (2-4 years)

The 1+3 route – suitable if you don't hold a relevant postgraduate degree – is aimed at students graduating with an undergraduate degree in geography or similar social science subject. See entrance requirements for the MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies.

Programme Content

In addition to progressing with your research, you're expected to take the courses listed below. You may take courses in addition to those listed but must discuss this with your supervisors.

Year 1

1. You may take course(s) to the value of a half unit from the list of options available on MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies
2. if appropriate, other advanced research methods courses – for example in quantitative methods - can be chosen, subject to the supervisors' and the course teacher's approval
3. if you've completed MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies you must take different course(s) to those you've already taken.

• GY502: Non-credit bearing, Staff / Research Students Seminars
• GY403: Half unit, Contemporary Debates in Human Geography
• GY500: Non-credit bearing, Doctoral Research and Professional Development
• GY503: Non-credit bearing, Writing the World
• Relevant advanced qualitative research methods course(s) to the value of one unit from the following:
  • MY500: Half unit, Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design
  • MY526: Half unit, Doing Ethnography
  • MY528: Half unit, Qualitative Text and Discourse Analysis
  • MY521: Half unit, Qualitative Research Methods

Year 2

At the end of your second year (full-time), you'll need to satisfy certain requirements and if you meet these, will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.

• GY502: Non-credit bearing, Staff / Research Students Seminars
• GY500: Non-credit bearing, Doctoral Research and Professional Development
• GY503: Non-credit bearing, Writing the World

Year 3

• GY502: Non-credit bearing, Staff / Research Students Seminars
• GY500: Non-credit bearing, Doctoral Research and Professional Development
• GY503: Non-credit bearing, Writing the World

Year 4

• GY502: Non-credit bearing, Staff / Research Students Seminars
• GY500: Non-credit bearing, Doctoral Research and Professional Development
• GY503: Non-credit bearing, Writing the World

Why Study with Us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the Department

Our department is highly regarded both nationally and internationally – ranked second for Geography in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Why LSE

• University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
• 1st in London for the 14th year running
• 6th In the world
• Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

Your Application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of our staff at LSE. For this reason, we recommend that you take a look at our staff research interests before applying.

When to Apply

The application deadline for this programme is 27 May 2026.

Fees and Funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

• Home student fee (2026/27): £5,131
• Overseas student fee (2026/27): £24,400

Learning and Assessment

How You Learn

You'll either be allocated a principal supervisor and a review supervisor, or two joint supervisors. One or both will be specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic.

How You're Assessed

Once on the MPhil/PhD programme you'll go through a First Year Progress Review, taking place in the Spring Term of your first research year.

Graduate Destinations

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. The programme will also prepare you for careers in international organisations (eg, the World Bank, OECD, UNEP or European Commission), urban planning, governance, the consultancy sector, infrastructure providers and NGOs.

Related Programmes

• MRes/PhD Anthropology
• MPhil/PhD Demography (Social/Formal)
• MPhil/PhD Sociology
• MRes/PhD International Development
• MPhil/PhD Regional and Urban Planning Studies
• MSc Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research)