MSc student profiles

My interest in economics started when I was doing my Bachelors in Information System and Information Management back in China, then I went to Australia and obtained an MSc in Economics there. My understanding, however, is that the strength of MSc in Economics at LSE is stronger than my previous studies.

The workload of this programme is heavy and challenging in terms of the math tools applied in the courses and the problem sets we are dealing with every week. The most challenging and enjoyable course for me is macroeconomics. The contents of the course are not designed based on any textbook, and it leads us to the frontier of the empirical work done by economists. Every lecture is an introduction to the empirical work done by economists on one specific issue, and all the seminars are taught by the professor himself so you really have to be well prepared and go.

The resources provided by LSE are superb both regarding to academic and professional opportunities. During Michaelmas Term, the students on the MSc in Economics get multiple chances to be an RA for Nobel Laureate economists.  

For the future, I am open to all choices but looking for a job at consultant companies now. LSE is absolutely a great place to study economics!

When I was first introduced to Economics in high school, I found the idea of solving real world problems using intuition and logic intellectually stimulating. On the completion of my undergraduate studies from the University of Delhi, pursuing masters in economics seemed like the natural choice to me. I was confident that LSE being a reputed academic institution, would push me to my intellectual limits and equip me with the necessary tools to be a respectable economist.      

The experience at LSE so far has been one of the best. The programme is quite challenging and demands a lot of time and work. However it has also been an enjoyable experience to be taught by professors who are leading researchers in their respective fields. The subjects force you to think, analyse and question every fundamental assumption that we have come to accept as a fact since the introduction to this subject. So far, the most important lesson I have learnt from LSE was to keep working at problems and not give up even though the concepts look impenetrable. Paraphrasing what Professor Alwyn Young said, ‘What matters is your ability to keep going.’     

A typical day for me at LSE would consist of attending lectures and classes as per the schedule and working through the problem sets. To relax, I cook or go for a walk along the river Thames. One could always go to Covent Garden or Oxford Street, both of which are close to LSE to destress. In the future, I want to work as a researcher in the field of development economics.

My formal introduction to economics was during my studies at the University of Nottingham. The ‘bigger picture’ aspect to the subject allowed my curiosity to grow and lent itself a lot to my decision to pursue a Masters at the LSE. As a distinguished institution, I was confident that the LSE would not only add more theoretical depth to my understanding of economics but also fully develop my analytical prowess.

My experience at LSE, thus far, has surpassed these expectations. This is largely due to the high level of theoretical rigour that every subject is approached with, as well as the engaging anecdotes offered by our globally renowned professors. While the intensity of the programme is one the most challenging aspects, I count it as one of the best too; its emphasis on critical thinking is one fundamental reason I was able to secure a position at an economic consultancy.

A normal day during the term comprises of several taught lectures and classes. This grants us with plentiful study time, some of which is spent working with classmates to tackle the problem sets assigned to classes. Time is also spent engaging in the abundance of non-academic opportunities.  My role as Logistics Coordination for the LSE Africa Summit, an annual event that showcases Africa’s contribution to the world, has enriched my time at LSE, while LSE’s superb location as also allowed me to explore all the intricacies offered by London, which include the vibrant food markets.

Before I starting my programme (2-year MSc Economics), I worked at the UN and then as an attorney in a law firm in Canada. Prior to working, I studied science at the University of British Columbia and law at the University of Toronto. I became interested in economics during my legal studies, but I didn’t decide to go back to school to pursue this interest until now.

I’m interested in economics because it attempts to explain human behavior at a fundamental level, provides quantitative precision, and tackles important questions (e.g. what makes a country develop economically? What factors are thought to have led to the Great Recession?). The programme has a very collegial atmosphere, as everyone is friendly and supports each other. This is particularly true in the small group classes which accompany the lectures. Beyond studying, I hope to do a lot sightseeing in the UK and Europe while I’m based in London.

After completing an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree, I decided on specialising in Economics. The decision to take up Economics stemmed from understanding the potential of Economics to contribute to the field of development. LSE’s Economics Department, its prestigious faculty and commitment towards the rapidly evolving discipline made it one of the best places in the world to pursue my interests.    

I enrolled in the MSc Economics (2 year programme), the first year of which helped fill the gaps in my first degree by providing me with a strong quantitative foundation required for the rigorous second year. At LSE even though self study is imperative, there are several resources to get guidance from, including one’s cohort which comprises a heterogeneous mix of people from different cultures, having varied specialisations and work experiences. Keen to gain experience in applied Economics, I took one of the leading roles in the Economics Society Research Project, which gave me first-hand experience in research. Additionally, I got the opportunity to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant, which has been an enjoyable, learning experience for me.

On a typical day, I would attend a lecture, work on problem sets, attend seminars, and meet teachers and professors during their office-hour to discuss any doubts. However, much more goes on in the big picture, as one works on an independent extended essay, networks at several careers events that exposes one to the different career options after the programme, attends a wide range of public lectures organised at LSE, and takes in and contributes to the plethora of ideas floating around. The highlight for me has been discussing research papers with esteemed professors, breaking down seemingly big questions of poverty, inequality, gender discrimination and measuring impacts of various public policies directed towards development.            

Studying at LSE has proven to be a great decision for me; every course has challenged me intellectually, developed my analytical abilities, taught me to manage my time efficiently and prepared me for challenges outside academia.

MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (EME) offered by LSE is thought to be amongst the most theoretical MSc programmes in the world. If you are always questioning assumptions and enjoy rigorous proofs in economics, then EME is quite a good fit. Well, this is the case for me, as someone who has really enjoyed my studies in EME.      

All the techniques and economic concepts necessary for theoretical research can be explored and mastered in EME and, personally, the most precious thing I learnt from the programme is resilience. Throughout the EME programme, I have learnt to keep calm, take a step back and review whenever I meet seemingly impossible questions.

The most exhilarating academic experience I’ve had at LSE is when I came up with an idea inspired by some topics I encountered in a lecture and discussed it with my lecturer - a leading scholar in her field. She appreciated my inquisition and encouraged me to carry on.            

A typical day in term time at LSE consists of a couple of hours of lectures and seminars, followed by independent study where I try to digest the knowledge I’ve learnt and search for relative topics that interest me. The greater the endeavour, the more appreciative you will be. Often there are materials which are hard to understand and I like to discuss it with friends or take it to the lecturers’ or class teachers’ office hours, all of which is possible at LSE. Since EME students come from various backgrounds, i.e. economics, mathematics, physics and engineering, we can always learn something from each other. Moreover, there is always time for socialising to allow you to take a break when needs be. The Department organises activities like dancing parties and networking events for all MSc students. At weekends I enjoy going to concerts in London normally hosted by world class musicians at a reasonable student price.              

At the moment, I plan to continue a PhD programme as most EME students do. I strongly believe that with the analytical skills the programme provides us with, EME graduates stand out in the form of analytical work, whether that is in an academic setting or the private sector.

The decision to study a master’s degree was not a difficult one. My undergraduate studies in operational research and econometrics fomented my curiosity in the very origin and justification of the econometric techniques and microeconomic subjects I encountered.

With the MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (EME) at LSE, I have found a programme that is clearly specialised into these topics and belongs to the very best MSc level programmes in the field of economics in the world.

The studies have not disappointed me. While the teaching’s technical rigour is initially a challenge and certainly does require considerably more effort than most undergraduate degrees, it soon pays off. On the one hand, previously obscure arguments in asymptotic theory and microeconomics suddenly become clear. On the other hand, the in-depth mathematical framework provides me with a knowledge that exceeds the skills of many applied researchers, which proves the advanced degree of this programme.

Students come from all over the world, with backgrounds in fields like economics, mathematics, physics or computer sciences. Due to its clear specialisation, the programme is rather small. This means that the overall mood is very nice and collaborative, we often work in groups to understand all topics and solve assignments together. While my typical day during term-time is filled with activities like solving exercises, finding background material for topics that even Google has no clue about, discussing lecture and further research topics with faculty and applying for PhD or job positions, we also have a lot of social activities.

Many students intend to continue their academic career by pursuing a PhD and thus following suit leading academics who have previously been EME students, e.g. Daron Acemoglu. Other students like me are applying for private sector finance and consultancy positions. Thanks to the MSc EME, we have acquired the analytical skills and ability to describe the world in a very precise yet comprehensible way, what will make us excel in our future positions.