Program Overview

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MSc Economics

The MSc Economics programme at the London School of Economics (LSE) offers 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

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.

Introduction

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.

Preliminary Readings

• Chapters 1–14 Simon and Blume, Mathematics for Economists , Norton, 1994
  • Chapters 1–5 and 9–13 of E T Dowling, Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of Mathematical Methods for Business and Economics , McGraw Hill, 1993
  • Chiang and K Wainwright, Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics , McGraw-Hill, 2005
  • R J Larson, M L Marx, Introduction to Mathematical Statistics and its Applications , 4th edn, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2006
  • J H Stock and M W Watson, Introduction to Econometrics , 3th edn, Chapters 17 and 18, Pearson, 2011
  • J Wooldridge, Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach , 5th edn, Chapters 2, 3 and 4, South-Western Cengage Learning, 2012

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.
• GRE is required for applicants without a UK undergraduate degree in economics.

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.

Year 1

• EC413: Macroeconomics
• EC402: Econometrics
• One of these two courses:
  • EC411: Microeconomics
  • EC487: Advanced Microeconomics
• Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options

Why Study with Us

Discover more about our students and department.

Student Stories

The level of teaching and research in the MSc Economics programme is excellent.

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.

Why LSE

• University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
• 1st in London for the 14th year running
• 6th In the world
• Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

Your Application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students.

Overview

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form.

When to Apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis.

Fees and Funding

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

Home

• £41,000: Home student fee (2026/27)

Overseas

• £41,000: Overseas student fee (2026/27)

Fee Status

At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student.

Scholarships, Bursaries, and Loans

• Fee reduction: Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee.
• Scholarships and other funding: We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generous scholarships to help both home and overseas students.

Learning and Assessment

• How you learn
• How you're assessed

How You Learn

• Teaching: The average taught course contact hours per half unit is 20-30 hours and a full unit is 40-60 hours.
• Academic support: You'll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work.

How You're Assessed

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed.

Graduate Destinations

Our former students are employed as economists in a wide range of national and international organisations in government, international institutions, business and finance.

Overview

Approximately one third of students proceed to PhD programmes at LSE or other leading universities.

Career Support

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.

Related Programmes

• MSc Economics (two-year programme)
• MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
• MRes/PhD Economics
• MSc Finance and Economics
• MSc Management and Strategy
• MSc Development Studies
• MSc Economic History
• MSc Environmental Economics and Climate Change
• MSc International Political Economy
• Master of Public Administration