Visiting Research Student in International Development

The Visiting Research Student (VRS) scheme at the London School of Economics (LSE) offers doctoral researchers from other universities the opportunity to spend one term up to one academic year at LSE. Participants are integrated into research activities within the Department of International Development and the wider School, allowing them to interact with other research students, leverage the expertise of LSE faculty, utilize training resources from the PhD Academy, and access the extensive LSE Library facilities. This scheme is distinct from full LSE doctoral programs as it does not include access to LSE taught courses or comprehensive supervision. The Department of International Development, founded in 1990, is a leading center for postgraduate teaching and research on social, political, and economic development, addressing issues such as poverty, social exclusion, and humanitarian crises across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Faculty members actively engage in policy-relevant research and consultancy with international development agencies. The VRS scheme is designed for students in advanced stages of their doctoral training who are capable of independent research. Prospective applicants are advised to align their research proposals with the academic interests of the department's faculty and establish an advisory relationship with a faculty member prior to application. Students undertaking this program are expected to be self-funded.