Program Overview

Program Overview

The Visiting Research Student (VRS) in Economic Geography program at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers research students from other universities the opportunity to spend up to a year at LSE, engaging in research, accessing resources, and collaborating with leading academics.

Key Information

• Study mode: Home full-time students (from one term up to one academic year) and overseas full-time students (from one term up to one academic year) are both open.
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Start date: Over the academic year
• Location: Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: None - rolling admissions

Introduction

The VRS scheme allows students who are registered as doctoral researchers at other institutions to participate in research activities in the department and the School, to interact with other research students, and to benefit from the expertise of LSE faculty, the training offered by the PhD Academy, and LSE Library facilities. Note that Visiting Research Students don’t have access to any LSE taught courses.

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: LSE is a world-renowned institution, offering a unique opportunity to study geography in a university with a worldwide reputation in the social sciences.

Your Application

• To apply as a visiting research student, you apply in the same way as for our MPhil/PhD programmes, with the same entry criteria.
• We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of our staff at LSE.
• We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your form, such as:
  • Academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications)
  • Statement of academic purpose
  • References
  • CV
  • Outline research proposal
  • Sample of written work

Fees and Funding

• The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes offered by the School.
  • Home: £104 per week (2026/27)
  • Overseas: £104 per week (2026/27)
• For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

Related Programs

• Visiting Research Student in Economics
• MPhil/PhD Economic Geography
• MPhil/PhD Human Geography and Urban Studies

Research Areas

The department specializes in economic, urban, and development geography, environmental social science, and climate change, all with a strong emphasis on real-world applications. Many of our academics are internationally renowned in their fields, and we work closely with academics from several other departments at LSE. Teaching staff are active within various research centers, including:

• Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies
• Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy
• Centre for Economic Performance
• Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
• LSE London
• Middle East Centre
• Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre
• Transition Pathway Initiative Centre
• What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth

About LSE

LSE is a private company limited by guarantee, registration number 70527, and is recognized for its academic excellence and research impact. The university is committed to providing a world-class education and research environment, with a strong focus on social sciences and a global perspective. LSE is ranked as one of the top universities in the world, with a strong reputation for academic rigor, research excellence, and graduate employability. The university's faculty and research staff are internationally recognized experts in their fields, and the university's research centers and institutes are at the forefront of addressing global challenges. LSE is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment, with a range of student services and resources available to support student success. The university's location in the heart of London provides students with access to a wide range of cultural, social, and professional opportunities, and the university's global network of alumni and partners provides students with a lifelong connection to the LSE community.