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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:L1U1
Department of Economics

MSc Economics

Gain world-class training and understanding of core economic models and methods for a high-flying career as an academic or industry economist and researcher.

Overview

Introduction

Taught by eminent leaders in the economics field, this one-year master’s degree attracts high-calibre students from across the globe. It's aimed mainly at those with a strong undergraduate degree in economics and a solid quantitative background.

The programme has a strong mathematical focus. You’ll study the core elements of economic theory and econometrics, both micro and macro. By the end of the programme, you’ll have the analytical and problem-solving skills to understand and tackle complex economic issues.

This programme opens the doors to a variety of interesting and stimulating careers in government, central banking, international organisations, economic consultancies and the private sector, as well as PhD study at leading universities.

Note: Students who haven’t previously studied economic theory and quantitative techniques but have strong quantitative skills may consider applying to our two-year MSc Economics.

Entry requirements

First class honours degree in economics or equivalent with concentration in economics and quantitative subjects. Successful candidates will typically have achieved very good examination results in university-level two-semester length courses in (a) mathematics (both advanced calculus and linear algebra), (b) econometrics and statistics, (c) intermediate macro and microeconomics.

If your first degree is not in economics, you should apply to take the MSc Economics (2 year) programme. Candidates with a technical degree and a strong quantitative background might wish to consider applying to MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics.

GRE is required for applicants without a UK undergraduate degree in economics. See more information below under "Additional tests".

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you. Kindly note that these are broad guidelines which may be superseded by Department-specific entry requirements, as stated above.

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Standard. Read more about our English language requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

This programme comprises 10 months of full-time study. You'll attend an initial course known as Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics (before the main teaching programme starts) in late August. This course includes reviews concepts in optimisation, fixed point theory, dynamic programming and optimal control, and in probability and statistics, amongst other topics.

You'll take three compulsory courses, an elective course and an extended essay linked to the elective course during the main teaching programme.

Please note: ten-month master's programmes are not compliant with the Bologna process, which may affect the extent to which they're "recognised". For more information, see Bologna process.

Year 1

EC413
One unit
EC402
One unit

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

LSE is home to one of the top economics departments in the world, with expertise across the full spectrum of mainstream economics.

Our academics and researchers are working at the frontiers of developments in the field and our research has a global impact. Over the past 50 years, this research has influenced almost every major intellectual development within the discipline.

As a department, our academics advise governments and central banks, aid agencies, and private-sector organisations in the UK, Europe and around the world. Our research insights help tackle global challenges such as economic instability, inequality and climate change, often catalysing profound policy shifts.

Past and present faculty members have shaped economic policy at a national and international level and our teaching staff have included a former Bank of England governor and Chief Economist to the World Bank. We count nine Nobel Prize winners among our current and former staff and students.

Within the department, we offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as doctoral training in economics. Our alumni find high-earning and rewarding roles in government, international institutions, business and finance.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Your application

Overview

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

  • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
  • statement of academic purpose
  • two academic references
  • CV
  • GRE/GMAT.

See further information on supporting documents and check if you're exempt from taking the GRE/GMAT.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

950
Applications
113
Intake
8:1
2023 Ratio

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home

£39,000

Home student fee (2025/26)

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

Our former students are employed as economists in a wide range of national and international organisations in government, international institutions, business and finance. In recent years, our graduates have gained employment in organisations such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, NERA Economic Consulting, PwC, Deloitte, Compass Lexecon, McKinsey, IMF, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Bundesbank, Bank of England, and HM Treasury.

Approximately one third of students proceed to PhD programmes at LSE or other leading universities. In recent years, our MSc in Economics students have been placed at MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Columbia, Yale, NYU, Northwestern, Penn, MIT Sloan, UCLA, Wisconsin-Madison, Cornell and many other top PhD programmes around the world.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Education, Teaching and Research
Government, Public Sector and Policy
Consultancy
International Organisations
Financial and Professional Services
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

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