EC545 Half Unit
Labour Economics for Research Students I
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Alan Manning
Prof John Van Reenen
Availability
This course is available on the MRes in Economics, MRes in Economics and Management, MRes in Management (Marketing), PhD in Economics and PhD in Economics and Management. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
For queries contact: econ.mres.phd@lse.ac.uk
Requisites
Mutually exclusive courses:
This course cannot be taken with EC533 at any time on the same degree programme.
Course content
The aim of the course is to familiarise students with main theoretical and empirical issues in current labour economics, to provide them with the tools for conducting independent research in the field, and to provide a perspective on areas of ongoing research. The course has a strong applied focus. For each major topic covered we will investigate the main available theories in light of their testable implications, discuss the advantages and limitations of existing empirical work and assess policy options.Topics are likely to include:
• Imperfect competition in the labour market (monopsony); minimum wages; immigration.
• Managerial and personnel economics; productivity; human capital; inequalities (labour share of income, CEO pay, wage inequality and new technologies).
Additional topics are explored in Labour Economics for Research Students II in the Winter Term. The two half unit courses are designed to complement each other.
Teaching
30 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
Attendance is compulsory.
Formative assessment
Students will discuss papers in lectures.
Indicative reading
Readings will be mainly from journal articles; a list will be supplied at the start of term.
Assessment
Continuous assessment (100%)
Assignment: Continuous assessment (100%) in the AT.
Key facts
Department: Economics
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 8
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 9
Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.