group of students in a lecture

MSc Financial History

A programme to develop a solid understanding of international finance and capital markets through the study of their history and an interdisciplinary approach

 

 

The MSc Financial History provides students with a historical and interdisciplinary perspective on the main challenges facing the global monetary and financial systems. Fifteen years of financial turmoil have led to a revival of questions and debates about money and finance and stakeholders as well have realised how a deeper knowledge of financial history can help to better inform and guide the current policy debate. 

The programme allows students from various academic backgrounds (history, finance, economics, or related disciplines) to acquire a deep understanding of the functioning of capital markets and of the conduct of monetary affairs through a historical approach.  It will train you, through the study of financial history, to think critically and deeply about monetary and financial problems.

Student Profile

The programme is addressed at those who have studied history, economics or any related discipline or social science at the first degree level.

You will leave the programme with a portfolio of highly transferable skills that can be applied across a wide variety of employment sectors. This rigorous academic training is designed to be especially valuable to those who intend to pursue careers in the public service, finance, industry, commerce, education, the media or law. 

Teaching and Learning

The degree is a twelve month programme, consisting of a compulsory full-unit core course, a compulsory full-unit dissertation, and semi-core courses to the value of two units.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for the MSc Economic History programme is an Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in a social science.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK, please consult the Information for International Students.

Programme Structure

Full-year programme. Students must take the compulsory course to the value of 1.0 unit, semi core courses to the value of 2.0 units, and a full-unit dissertation.

Part Time students should take 2 units in both years of their programme. Minor adjustments to this course load may be permitted where possible. EH437 must be taken in Y1 of the programme.

(0.5 = Half unit)
(N/A = not available)

Paper 1

EH437 History of Global Finance

Paper 2

One of the following:

EH438 History of Financial Markets (0.5)

EH439 History of Banking Systems (0.5) (N/A 23-24)

EH441 Macroeconomic History (0.5) (New for 23-24!)

EH443 The History of Premodern Money (0.5) (New for 23-24!)

EH449 History of Corporate Finance and Institutional Investment (0.5) (New for 23-24!)

Paper 3

One of the following:

EH402 Quantitative Analysis in Economic History I (0.5)

EH426M Quantitative Analysis in Economic History II (0.5)

EH426L Quantitative Analysis in Economic History II (0.5) (N/A 23-24)

EH427 Topics in Quantitative Analysis in Economic History (0.5)

Paper 4

One of the following:

FM447 Global Financial Systems (0.5)

FM472 International Finance (0.5)

FM473M / FM473L Financial Markets (0.5)

FM474M / FM474L Managerial Finance (0.5)

Paper 5

A half-unit course from Paper 2 or 3 if not already taken or from the following:

EH404 India and the World Economy (0.5) (N/A 23-24)

EH409 Chinese Economic History: Culture, Institutions and Economic Growth (0.5)

EH413 African Economic Development in Historical Perspective (0.5)

EH421 Economic History of Colonialism (0.5) (N/A 23-24)

EH426L Quantitative Analysis in Economic History II (0.5) (N/A 23-24)*

EH426M Quantitative Analysis in Economic History II (0.5)*

EH427 Topics in Quantitative Analysis in Economc History (0.5)*

EH428 History of Economics: Making Political Economy into a Social Science (0.5) (N/A 23-24)

EH429 History of Economics: Ideas, Policy and Performativity (0.5)

EH431 Women in Economic History (0.5)

EH432 Economic History and Geography: Advanced Topics and Methods (0.5)*

EH436 Economic History of the Early Modern New World (The Americas) (0.5)

EH442 Labour Markets in Historical Perspective (0.5) (New for 23-23!)

EH448 Craft, Human Capital and Innovation in Europe, 1400-1800 (0.5) (New for 23-24!)

EH452 Latin American Development and Economic History (0.5)

EH457 Living Standards since the Industrial Revolution: The British Experience c. 1750-2000 (0.5) (N/A 23-24)

EH463 The Long-Run Analysis of Firms and Industries (0.5)

EH486 Shipping and Sea Power in Asian Waters c. 1600-1860 (0.5) (N/A 23-24)

IR454 Governing International Political Economy: Lessons from the Past for the Future (0.5)

Paper 6

EH499 Research Dissertation

*Indicates that the course may have pre-requisites, please consult the course guide for more information.

Course Videos

Course videos can be found here.

Programme and School Regulations

Please see the LSE Calendar for full information on programme and school regulations.

MSc Financial History Handbook

You can access the MSc Financial History handbook for 2023/24 here.

 Further Information

How to Apply

How to apply to a Graduate programme at LSE.

Full details on the MSc Financial History programme, including fees information, can be found here.

Financial Support

Please contact the Financial Support Office for more information.

Key Contacts

MSc Programmes Director: Professor Olivier Accominotti

 

MSc Programmes Officer: Oli Harrison

You can find more information about the profiles of faculty, teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants in the People section of our webpages.

Quick Links

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Contact us

Telephone

Professor Olivier Accominotti (MSc Programmes Director) +44 (0)20 7955 6773

Mr Oli Harrison (MSc Programmes Officer) +44 (0)20 7955 7046

Email

Professor Olivier Accominotti o.accominotti@lse.ac.uk

Mr Oli Harrison o.harrison1@lse.ac.uk

Address

Department of Economic History, London School of Economics and Political Science