MSc Economics (two-year programme)

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.

• Snyder, C and Nicholson, W (2012) Microeconomic Theory: Basic Principles and Extensions, USA, Thomson South-Western
• Blanchard, O and Johnson D R (2013) Macroeconomics, Essex, Pearson Education Limited
• Wooldridge, J W (2013) Introductory Econometrics. A Modern Approach, USA, South-Western
• Binmore, K and Davies, J (2001) Calculus, Concepts and Methods, Cambridge, University Press
• Mankiw, N G (2010) Macroeconomics, 7th Edition, Worth Publishers.

GRE/GMAT requirement

All applicants must submit a GRE score. This must be no more than five years old on 1 October 2026, and must include full and percentile test scores for all three sections.

Typically we expect you to score at least 164 or higher in the quantitative section of the test. A higher score will count in your favour, but other information, such as examination results and references will also matter in the overall evaluation. We recognise that if your first language is not English, the verbal test will be more demanding and we'll view your score on that basis.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

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.

If you successfully progress to the second year, you'll take four compulsory courses, one unit of elective courses and an extended essay linked to the elective course. The first compulsory course, the Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics, begins before the main second year teaching programme starts. This is followed by three compulsory core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, as well as one elective course, which is linked to the extended essay you'll need to complete.

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.

Department of Economics

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.

Statement of Academic Purpose requirements

Your Statement of Academic Purpose should be concise, and should only answer the following three questions. Maximum 200 words per question. If you have no details to provide for any of the questions, please state “None”. No introductory paragraph is required.

Question 1: Are there any significant issues relevant to your application that merit further explanation? Eg, time off from studies for medical or other reasons, displacement, long-term caring responsibilities, taking time off to reassess study/work paths, etc. Please elaborate, or state “NONE”.

Question 2: Are there any exceptional circumstances you'd like to bring to the attention of the Selection Committee that impacted any aspect of your Academic record? Please elaborate, or state “NONE”.

Question 3: Are there any special features in your candidature that you'd like to explain? Please elaborate, or state “NONE”.

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.

Students are charged for both first and second year of their studies. For home continuing students, the second year fee is £43,100 (2027/28, provisional).

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

Students are charged for both first and second year of their studies. For overseas continuing students, the second year fee is £43,100 (2027/28, provisional).

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

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others.

Summative assessment may be conducted during the course and/or by final examination at the end of the course. You have the advantage of being assessed both after the end of the first term (Winter Term Week 0 January exams) and after the end of second term (Spring Term main exam period).

An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

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

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.