EC402      One Unit
Econometrics

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Availability

Requisites

Pre-requisites:

Students must have completed EC400 before taking this course.

Additional requisites:

Students should also have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent in Economics and an introductory course in Econometrics.

In very exceptional circumstances, students may take this course without EC400 provided they meet the necessary requirements and have received approval from the course conveners (via an online* face to face meeting), the MSc Economics Programme Director and their own Programme Director. Contact the Department of Economics for more information (econ.msc@lse.ac.uk).

The course aims to present and illustrate the techniques of empirical investigation in economics.  The lectures will focus primarily on the econometric methodology and the required assumptions. This is crucial so that you can assess whether specific techniques are valid in your particular contexts (i.e., whether they will estimate the underlying parameters consistently). Seminars will contain a mix of technical exercises and journal article readings.

The following material will be covered by Dr Hajivassiliou in the Autumn Term:

• Regression models with fixed regressors (simple and multiple). Least squares and other estimation methods.  Goodness of fit and hypothesis testing.  Estimation Unbiasedness and Consistency.

• Regression models with stochastic regressors.

• Asymptotic theory and its application to the regression model. Sampling error vectors. Large sample approximations.

• The partitioned regression model, multicollinearity, misspecification, omitted and added variables, measurement errors.

• Generalized method of moments.

• Maximum likelihood estimation.

• Heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation, and generalized least squares.  Clustered and Robust Standard Errors.

• Exogeneity, endogeneity, and instrumental variables. The leading causes of endogeneity. Instrument validity and relevance.

• Nonlinear regression modelling

• Binary choice models and other Limited Dependent Variables models.

The following material will be covered by Professor Schankerman in Winter Term (6 weeks):

• Estimating causal effects in panel data: matching methods, differences in differences,, instrumental variables including Bartik instruments, and sharp and fuzzy regression discontinuity.

• Panel data in static models: fixed and random effect estimators, conditional logit analysis, specification tests.

• Panel data in dynamic models

The following material will be covered by Dr Sabharwal in Winter Term (4 weeks):

• Autoregressive and moving average representations of time series. Stationarity and invertibility.

• Ergodicity, Laws of Large Numbers, and Central Limit Theorems for Time Series

• Structural vector autoregressions.

• Unit roots and (time permitting) co-integration.

30 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
30 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
1 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum 79 hours across Autumn Term, Winter Term and Spring Term.

Two marked assignments per term. Exercises and/or readings are provided each week and are discussed in classes. Working through these on a weekly basis is essential for the successful completion of the course.

W H Greene, Econometric Analysis (8th edn), traditional presentation of econometric analysis (with emphasis on the material in the Autumn Term)

J Wooldridge, Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data (2002): traditional and thorough treatment of panel data in both static and dynamic models (treated in the Winter Term)

J Angrist and J Pischke, Mostly Harmless Econometrics (2009): focuses on modern “causal” methods analysis (treated in the Winter Term)

James D. Hamilton, Time Series Analysis (1994):  traditional presentation of time-series econometric analysis (treated in the Winter Term)

Exam (50%), duration: 120 Minutes, reading time: 15 minutes in the January exam period

Exam (50%), duration: 120 Minutes, reading time: 15 minutes in the Spring exam period

This course is IRDAP-enabled, meaning that resit and deferred assessments will take place in August 2026.