About the MSc
This programme is intended to equip you with the main tools of the professional economist, whether you intend to work in government, central banking, international organisations or private sector firms such as economic consultancies. The advanced and technically rigorous nature of the programme also serves as an excellent foundation for PhD programmes and other research-focused roles.
The one year route is for students with a strong undergraduate degree in economics . and a solid quantitative background, while the two year route is designed for students who have a sound quantitative background but lack the necessary knowledge in quantitative techniques for the one year route.
On the two year route, students who successfully complete the examinations in the preliminary year will be awarded a Diploma in Economics, and those meeting the required standard will be permitted to proceed to the final year.
The degree concentrates on the core elements of economic theory and econometrics. The extensive use of mathematics is intended as a tool in order to facilitate analysis, with the primary objective of the programme being the provision of a formal training in, and in-depth understanding of, core economic models. You also have the advantage of being assessed both after the end of the first term (Lent Term Week 0 January exams) and after the end of second term (Summer Term main exam period).
Programme details
Please visit lse.ac.uk/MScEcon for further information about the MSc Economics programme.
Please visit lse.ac.uk/MScEconTwoYear for further information about the two-year route, including progression requirements and contact information.
You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for MSc Economics and MSc Economics (Two Year Programme) in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.
You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, some circumstances may cause the School to subsequently change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to circumstances outside of its control. You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee places on its courses. You should visit the School's Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the Updated graduate course and programme information page.
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. 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 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.