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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:L1U2
Department of Economics

MSc Economics (two-year programme)

Build a strong foundation of economic theory and quantitative techniques in our two-year programme and set yourself up for a successful career as an economist.

Overview

Introduction

This two-year programme is designed for students who have a sound quantitative background but lack the knowledge in economic theory or quantitative techniques for the one-year MSc Economics.

To apply, you should have a strong academic qualification with an emphasis on quantitative subjects like mathematics and statistics. In your preliminary year, you’ll gain a solid foundation in economic theory and quantitative techniques. You’ll also develop your skills to the point that you can join the main MSc Economics programme.

Graduates of the two-year MSc Economics programme enjoy successful careers as economists in a wide range of national and international organisations. For example, you could pursue a career in government, international institutions, business and finance. Or you might proceed to PhD study, at LSE or another leading institution.

In recent years, several of our graduates have joined PhD programmes at institutions like MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Columbia and UCLA. Other graduates have gained employment in organisations such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Bank of America, NERA Economic Consulting, PwC, McKinsey, IMF, World Bank and the Bank of England.

Entry requirements

First class honours degree or equivalent with two semesters of university-level mathematics.

All applicants must submit a GRE score. 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 Kindly note that these are broad guidelines which may be superseded by Department-specific entry requirements, as stated above.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

Year 1

In the first year you take four compulsory courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and mathematics. The compulsory pre-sessional Introductory Course in Microeconomic Principles will take place at the beginning of September before the main first year teaching programme starts.

If you successfully complete the examinations at the end of the first year, you will be awarded a Diploma in Economics. If, in addition, your examination performance is sufficiently strong, then you'll be allowed to progress to the second year of the programme, subject to meeting the progression criteria as stated in the programme regulations.

Candidates may be allowed to substitute one other course for one of the courses listed below with the permission of the Programme Director.

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.

259
Applications
46
Intake
6:1
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

£34,000

Home student fee (2025/26)

Students are charged for both first and second year of their studies. For home continuing students, the second year fee is £41,000 (2026/27, provisional).

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for home and overseas students.

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 placed at MIT, Princeton, Stanford, NYU, Northwestern, Penn, Columbia, Yale, 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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