This course is compulsory on the MSc in Economics (2 Year Programme). 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 information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

New course for the 2027/28 academic session.

How to apply: This course is intended for MSc Economics and MSc Economics (2 Year Programme) students. Any external student must have successfully completed EC400 in September and/or have approval of the Department of Economics.

Deadline for application: Please apply as soon as possible after the opening of course selection for all courses.

For queries contact: Econ.msc@lse.ac.uk

Pre-requisites:

Students must have completed EC400 before taking this course.

Additional requisites:

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

The aim of the course is to give an overview of modern macroeconomics, with the aim of developing tools used for research, policymaking and business. It offers an introduction to economic growth (facts about growth, growth theory and empirics) and to business cycles (characteristics of business cycle fluctuations, macroeconomic models that offer insights into understanding business cycle fluctuations, as well as the role of macroeconomic policies).

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

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

Two marked assignments over the course of the term with feedback provided. Exercises are discussed in weekly classes.

Primary reading will be journal articles and a few chapters from Daron Acemoglu, Introduction to Modern Economic Growth. A full list will be available at the start of term.

Exam (90%), duration: 120 minutes, reading time: 15 minutes in the January exam period.

Continuous assessment (10%).

This course is IRDAP-enabled, meaning that resit and deferred assessments will take place in August at the end of the academic year.