Information Systems and Innovation

Students entering our MPhil/PhD programme are expected to have either completed the MSc Information Systems and Organization (Research) degree that we offer or provide evidence of formal research training. Further information about the MSc ISOR can be found on the ISIG web page.

The School's policy is that PhDs should be completed within a 3-4 year timescale. In the Information Systems and Innovation Group, where students benefit from prior research training, we strongly encourage our doctoral students to complete their thesis in approximately 2-3 years of full-time study. Whereas first years on other PhD programmes focus on achieving a transition from Master's Level work to advanced research through a series of taught courses, students joining us embark upon refining their theoretical framework and conducting fieldwork straight away. Students are expected to be resident at LSE during term-time (unless they are conducting approved fieldwork) and as a formal course requirement they must participate in IS554 as well as research activities organised by the Group. Every student must give a presentation on the IS554 course which is assessed by the ISIG faculty and serves as an important preparation for their upgrade examination. From year 2 onwards, the progress of post-upgrade doctoral students is regularly monitored through a process of structured feedback involving their supervisor/s, a second supervisor, and the PhD Programme Director.

During the programme students are required to pass an MPhil/PhD upgrade examination. This involves submission of a research proposal for formal assessment by the faculty followed by an oral exam and structured feedback process. The degree is awarded after the student has submitted a doctoral thesis and completed the viva voce exam process to their examiners' satisfaction.

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