Overview
Introduction
The MSc Finance and Economics draws on the School's strengths in economics, finance and econometrics. It's aimed at students who are interested in gaining a deep understanding of the theory and practice of financial markets.
This interdisciplinary degree, taught jointly by the Department of Finance and the Department of Economics, offers exceptional graduates from quantitative disciplines the opportunity to study in two of the most highly rated departments in their subject areas in the world.
As we teach you not only how to apply and use various well-known models, but also to understand the fundamental concepts on which they're based, you'll learn how to alter, test and adapt these models in new market environments. In learning what makes the models tick, you'll develop an awareness of the assumptions on which they rely, and - increasingly important in today’s markets - of situations in which these assumptions can break down.
As well as developing your understanding of financial economics, financial econometrics, microeconomics and macroeconomics to a high level, you'll have the opportunity to investigate two further specialist aspects of finance in elective courses.
The rigour of the Finance and Economics programme is recognised across the world. As the most academically oriented of our programmes, it provides an excellent grounding for students who are interested in progressing to a PhD in finance or in economics.
Successful applicants come from a variety of quantitative backgrounds including economics, mathematics, engineering, statistics, finance and others. To apply, you should have strong credentials in mathematics and a fascination for finance.
Entry requirements
- Undergraduate degree
Upper second-class honours (2:1) degree or international equivalent in a quantitative subject such as economics, maths, physics, engineering, or finance. Your studies should typically include at least a year of calculus and a semester of linear algebra. Admission to this programme is very competitive. In previous years, most students accepted into the programme had obtained 1st class honours degrees or the equivalent.
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.
- Quantitative skills
Applicants should typically have studied at least a year of calculus and a semester of linear algebra.
STEM applicants may be offered a fully funded place at the LSE Summer School in order to develop their knowledge of microeconomics and/or econometrics prior to the start of the programme.
- GRE/GMAT
GMAT or GRE is required for all applicants without a full three-year UK undergraduate degree. See more information below under "Additional tests".
- Professional experience
Work experience (either through internships or full employment) is not a pre-requisite; however, applicants who have some professional experience should include this in their application.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Overseas
Additional tests
GMAT or GRE is required for all applicants without a full three-year UK undergraduate degree. A GRE or GMAT is recommended for applicants with UK undergraduate degrees who did not achieve or are not expected to achieve a first-class degree. Test scores must show a strong performance in the quantitative segment.
- English language requirements
You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE.
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.
Programme content
Students on the MSc Finance and Economics programme are required to complete courses to the total value of four full units, comprising three full-unit core courses and two half-unit elective courses.
Pre-sessional programme
All registered students will participate in a compulsory pre-sessional programme in August and September 2025. This combines academic preparation with professional development workshops and events.
Academic training
Students will take part in the EC400 Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics (before the main term-time teaching programme starts). The course includes treatment of dynamic programming, continuous time dynamic optimisation, quadratic forms, Kuhn-Tucker theorem, joint and conditional probability distributions, Gauss-Markov assumptions and maximum likelihood estimation, amongst other topics.
Year 1
You take three units’ worth of compulsory core courses and choose two half-unit elective courses from a range offered within the Department of Finance, enabling you to tailor the programme to your interests.
You'll complete a 6000-word structured project in place of an exam in one of your elective courses.
MSc comparison: an overview of all the master’s programmes
Why study with us
Discover more about the department below and find out what some of our recent graduates have to say about the programme.
Meet the department
The Department of Finance is one of the largest and most highly respected finance groups in the UK and Europe.
With a longstanding reputation for excellence in both teaching and research, we offer various undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes.
Our research and teaching span the full range of financial sub-fields, including:
- corporate finance
- asset pricing theory
- risk management
- empirical analysis of capital markets
- behavioural finance
- portfolio analysis
- derivatives pricing
- microstructure
- financial econometrics.
We're also closely associated with two leading research groups at LSE – the Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre, which host seminars, conferences and public lectures by renowned academics and practitioners.
Our research is regularly published in leading academic journals globally. Faculty members work closely with national and international institutions, such as the Bank of England and the World Bank, informing policy at the highest levels.
The department was ranked the top place to study finance in the Good University Guide 2024.
Learn more about our programmes and research.
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20251st in London for the 13th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20256th In the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK
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, including your:
- academic achievement
- academic statement of purpose
- two academic references
- CV
- additional test scores.
See further information on supporting documents
Contact us
If you have any questions about the academic programme or admissions process please contact the Department of Finance Admissions team at finance.admissionsenquiries@lse.ac.uk.
When to apply
Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.
There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.
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.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
Examinations: MSc Finance and Economics students have two exams in the January exam period. There will also be exams in Spring Term. The Spring exam period takes place from late April until early June. The exam timetable changes each year and is published by the school at least six weeks before the start of the exam period.
Summative work: Some Finance courses contain a coursework element which contributes to the final course grade. At LSE this type of coursework is called "summative assessment". Different courses set different types of summative work. Some courses require weekly submission of problem sets which all make up a small percentage of the final grade. Spring Exams in some elective courses are replaced by In-Class Assessments, which can take place from the end of Winter Term.
Formative work: At LSE, any work which is set but does not contribute towards the final course mark is known as formative work. The purpose of formative work is to inform you of your progress on the course and whether you're understanding the concepts taught in lectures. Some formative work is informal, via the setting of problems sets that the teacher will work through with the class, however most courses will also ask for a piece of work to be submitted and then graded.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Graduates of the MSc Finance and Economics programme go on to work in challenging jobs in a variety of organisations around the world. Examples of the types of organisations include investment banks, central banks, economic and strategy consulting firms, professional services firms and financial boutiques.
In addition to the internationally recognised research environment and academic rigour of its teaching programmes, a great advantage of studying at LSE is the reputation it holds amongst employers for producing high level graduates.
Selected employers over the past three years:
- Jane Street
- Maven
- Wells Fargo
- Morgan Stanley
- J P Morgan
- Bain Capital Bank of America
- European Central Bank
- Bank of England
- China Development Bank
- McKinsey & Company
- BCG
- Merrill Lynch
- Oxera
- Oxford Economics
- Oliver Wyman
- CICC
- CITIC
- Nomura.
Selected employment locations:
- London
- Frankfurt
- Shanghai
- Beijing.