BSc Economics and Economic History

To tackle today’s current global economic problems, we need to understand how economies have developed and changed over time.

This programme explores some of the biggest questions we face – such as why some countries are rich and others poor, what forces shape inequality, and what historical evidence can tell us about economic crises through history.

Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, you’ll learn how to apply economic theory and methods to understand the historical development of economies around the world – from medieval times through to the present day.

Likewise, you’ll use real-world historical evidence to deepen your understanding of economic concepts and learn about different research methodologies and analysing primary sources.

At LSE, we have one of the largest groups of economic historians in the world so we can offer an incredibly broad choice of courses. As you progress through the degree, you’ll develop a wide array of transferable skills that will open the doors to a range of fulfilling careers.

Economic history

• R C Allen Global Economic History: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2011)
• R C Allen The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2009)
• G Clark A Farewell to Alms: a brief economic history of the world (Princeton University Press, 2007)
• N F R Crafts and P Fearon The Great Depression of the 1930s: lessons for today (Oxford University Press, 2013)
• S L Engerman and K L Sokoloff Economic Development in the Americas since 1500: endowments and institutions (Cambridge University Press, 2012)
• C Goldin and L Katz The Race between Education and Technology (Harvard University Press, 2008)
• J Humphries Childhood and Child Labour in the British Industrial Revolution (Cambridge University Press, 2010)
• D C North, J J Wallis and B Weingast Violence and Social Orders: a conceptual framework for interpreting recorded human history (Cambridge University Press, 2009)
• S Ogilvie Institutions and European Trade: merchant guilds, 1000–1800 (Cambridge University Press, 2011)
• K H O’Rourke and J G Williamson Globalization and History: the evolution of a nineteenth century Atlantic economy (MIT Press, 1999)
• K Pomeranz The Great Divergence: China, Europe and the making of the modern world economy (Princeton University Press, 2000)
• C M Reinhart and K S Rogoff This Time Is Different: eight centuries of financial folly (Princeton University Press, 2009)
• B Yun-Casalilla and P K O’Brien The Rise of Fiscal States: a global history, 1500–1914 (Cambridge University Press, 2011)

Economics

• A V Banerjee and E Duflo Poor Economics: barefoot hedge-fund managers, DIY doctors and the surprising truth about life on less than $1 a day (Penguin, 2012)
• T Harford The Undercover Economist (Abacus, 2007)
• T Harford The Logic of Life (Little Brown, 2009)
• P Krugman End This Depression Now! (W W Norton, 2012)
• S D Levitt and S J Dubner Freakonomics (Penguin, 2007)
• S D Levitt and S J Dubner Superfreakonomics(Penguin, 2010)

The UK launch of these books was held at LSE and a podcast of these authors speaking in the Old Theatre, along with many other talks, is available at lse.ac.uk/podcasts

It's also a very good idea to have a look at one or more economics textbooks, to have a clear idea of what the serious university study of the subject involves, which will differ from these popular presentations. Although the texts and editions listed below are currently recommended for the first year, other editions of these books and other university-level textbooks are also entirely valid for this first investigation.

• N G Mankiw Macroeconomics (7th edition, Worth Publishers, 2010)
• W Morgan, M L Katz and H Rosen Microeconomics (2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, 2009)

LSE is home to one of the largest specialist economic history departments in the world, with 25 permanent teaching staff, as well as visiting academics and researchers.

We use social science concepts and theories as a starting point to study the evolution of real economies in their social, political and cultural contexts.

Collectively, our academics have a huge breadth and depth of knowledge, ranging from the Medieval period to the current day, and covering every world economy, from the Americas to Asia, Africa and Europe.

The department’s research interests range from social well-being to technology and finance, and from the history of economic ideas to global trade patterns. Our research has informed decision-making in numerous government departments, NGOs, and international bodies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Drawing on their research strengths, our academics hold editorial and board membership roles on many world-renowned journals (such as Cliometrica and the Economic History Review) and regularly share their insights in the national and international media.

Currently, the department offers three undergraduate degree programmes and a range of postgraduate degrees and research opportunities. Many of our graduates secure high-profile teaching and research roles in the UK and internationally.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Economic History

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an interest in history and an awareness of the links between history, economics and social change
• a flexible approach to problem solving
• an ability to think independently
• an ability to apply logic and reasoning to form balanced conclusions
• strong statistical competence
• an ability to follow complex lines of mathematical reasoning
• great communication skills
• intellectual curiosity
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard
• an equal interest in economics and economic history.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment.

Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and generally provide feedback within two weeks of submission – provided the work is submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

• You’ll usually present up to four essays for each economic history course, alongside class presentations.
• The 10,000-word research project counts as one of your four courses in the third year.
• The compulsory second-year course also includes a 3,000-word project as part of the final assessment, worth 30 per cent of the final mark.
• Most other economic history courses are assessed through three-hour examinations. Some also include summative essays and presentations.

You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except on final submitted dissertations). Feedback is normally provided before the examination period.

Please note that assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. Take a look at the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

Economic history combines the skills of the economist, the statistician and the sociologist, as well as those of the historian, therefore graduates leave with a portfolio of highly transferable skills that can be applied across a wide variety of employment sectors. Our graduates can be found in senior positions throughout many professions, in the City, financial and market consultancy, NGOs and the charity sector, the civil service, sales and marketing, teaching, government and academia.

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.