When it came time to start applying for postgraduate research programmes, I knew exactly what I wanted to research, but I was not completely sure which institution would best be able to support me in doing that research.
I consider myself very fortunate to have had a master’s supervisor who completed the MPhil/PhD in International History at LSE and encouraged me to apply. It is not common to find universities which have a specific International History department; usually, you will be in a general department of History and within that department, there will likely be a cluster group for international history. However, at LSE, International History is an entire department, which means that all the professors and all my peers, while working on a wide variety of topics, themes, regions, and time periods, all approach history from the perspective of an international historian. While many history departments may have a few professors and graduate students who work on topics related to the Global Cold War and Contemporary International History, at LSE, there are so many people who work on topics under that heading, that the department is able to have its own research cluster group based on that overarching theme.
I knew that I wanted to be in a department where, in addition to my supervisor, there would be a range of other professors who had the knowledge, experience, and skills to help me conduct the research that I outlined in my proposal. LSE is a world-renowned institution with a strong tradition of excellence. The Department of International History, for example, tied for 5th in the world and ranked 3rd in the UK, in the 2022 QS World University Rankings. While rankings can definitely help to understand the strength of a particular institution or department, I have found that LSE International History has so much to offer that cannot be adequately reflected in a ranking system (impressive as the result is). The department has a friendly, welcoming, and collaborative atmosphere which made it easy to settle in quickly and feel comfortable.
There is never a dull moment at LSE. There are constantly different events happening on campus and they are often accessible online as well, for those who might not be able to make it into LSE on any particular day. In the Department of International History specifically, we have two weekly research seminar series where PhD students and faculty from LSE and many other international universities can present their research. My favourite thing about these seminars is getting to hear about research that will be published in an upcoming book or article. It feels a bit like getting a sneak peek into some of the cutting-edge research that scholars are conducting in the field.
One of the best initiatives that LSE offers to postgraduate students is the PhD Academy. It is essentially the hub for all LSE doctoral students and offers support from enrolment through to graduation. I feel so fortunate to have access to one central location that offers career guidance, specific research assistance, and practical research skills training. The PhD Academy even provides day-to-day advice to help students stay balanced, such as healthy eating workshops and techniques for managing stress.
Upon graduating, students become part of the LSE Alumni community, which includes over 200,000 former students from over 200 different countries. Students can access LSE Careers services for up to five years after they complete their degree. A strong alumni community and the ability to continue accessing institutional support even after graduation are both important and valuable benefits that come along with studying at LSE.
Overall, I am thrilled with my choice to pursue a PhD in the Department of International History at LSE. The strengths and support of the department, and the wider university community, are truly unparalleled. I cannot recommend the programme enough to any students who are wondering if LSE might be the right place for them to pursue postgraduate research.
