MSc Local Economic Development

Technological change, shifting patterns of global trade, and geopolitical tensions are leading to rapid changes in the world economy. Yet these global changes are felt very differently in local, urban and regional economies across the advanced, emerging, and developing world.

In this context, economic development increasingly requires new responses, and demands specialist skills to exploit the opportunities these changes offer.

The MSc Local Economic Development, accredited by the Institute for Economic Development (IED), prepares you to meet these challenges.

What you’ll learn

Based on the latest academic evidence and theory, you’ll develop an understanding of:

• How global economic change is influencing local economies
• How the private and public sector can work together to achieve change
• How strategies for development can best be designed and delivered
• The implications of urbanisation, how FDI and global value chains shape economic development
• Strategies for inclusive growth

Academic excellence

Our programme is academically rigorous and taught by one of the world’s leading research groups on sub-national economic development. The faculty includes five members listed among the top 2% of cited researchers globally, and multiple award winners, including the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) prize and the Royal Geographical Society’s Gold Medal.

Practical focus

We emphasise policy and practice through interactive lectures, classes, and seminars that engage students in current public policy debates. Our faculty have collaborated with prominent organisations such as the World Bank, OECD, European Commission, AIIB, IADB, national governments, and various private sector organisations and consultancies.

• A Pike, A Rodriguez-Pose and Tomaney Local and Regional Development (Routledge, 2016)
• M Storper Keys to the City: How Economics, Institutions, Social Interaction, and Politics Shape Development (Princeton, 2013)

You'll choose courses to the value of two units from a range of half-unit geography options. You'll choose additional options to the value of one unit from a range of relevant options within geography and in other departments. You'll also complete a dissertation where you'll undertake independent research on an approved topic of your choice.

Our department is highly regarded both nationally and internationally – ranked second for Geography in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

Here at LSE, we offer a unique opportunity to study geography in a university with a worldwide reputation in the social sciences. We specialise in economic, urban and development geography, environmental social science and climate change, all with a strong emphasis on real-world applications.

Many of our academics are internationally renowned in their fields. You’ll find a good balance of experienced and younger academics in the department. Within the team, we’ve had three holders of the highly prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize Fellowships for researchers under the age of 36.

Our research is interdisciplinary and international in its scope and we work closely with academics from several other departments at LSE. Teaching staff are active within the following research centres:

• Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies
• Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy
• Centre for Economic Performance
• Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
• LSE London
• Middle East Centre
• Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre
• Transition Pathway Initiative Centre
• What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth

Based in the heart of London opposite Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the department offers a lively, welcoming and supportive community for students and staff.
Learn more about our undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD study opportunities, as well as our research.

Department of Geography and Environment

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.

See further information on supporting documents.

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

This programme is available as part of an ESRC-funded pathway onto a PhD programme. The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training master's linked to a PhD programme and is designed for students who haven't already completed an ESRC recognised programme of research training. An application must be submitted for the relevant master’s programme, including a research proposal for the PhD aspect of the pathway. Applicants must also indicate their wish to be considered for the 1+3 pathway within their personal statement.

The programme is designed for:

• Recent graduates in disciplines like economics, geography, political science, business, or public policy, seeking specialised skills in sub-national economic development.
• Experienced professionals in economic development institutions aiming to deepen their expertise.
• Aspiring researchers, with alumni having progressed to leading universities worldwide.

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.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

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 takes the form of essays, debates, examinations and coursework. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Previous graduates are working in international organisations (eg, the UN system [including ILO, UNDP, FAO], World Bank, OECD, European Union, World Trade Conference), national and regional governments, international consultancy, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), research centres and leading universities.

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.