This course is available 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: These courses are intended for MSc Economics, MSc Economics (2 Year Programme), and MSc EME Students. Any external student must have successfully completed EC400 or EC451 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 EC451 or EC400 before taking this course.

Additional requisites:

In exceptional circumstances, students may take this course without EC400/EC451 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.

An advanced course in labour economics issues, including theory, evidence, and policy. The course aims to familiarise students with theoretical and empirical issues in current labour economics and to provide them with the tools for developing independent research interests. The course has a strong applied focus. For each major topic covered, we will discuss theoretical implications, provide insights into the research methodology, discuss the advantages and limitations of existing empirical work, and, where possible, draw policy conclusions. The course will include hands-on experience with econometric tools, data analysis, and critical thinking about results and their interpretation. Topics may include discrimination, labour market power and institutions, labour mobility, and intergenerational mobility.

20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
1 hour of seminars in the Spring Term.

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

At least two marked assignments.

Most of the reading is from journal articles. A detailed reading list will be made available at the start of the course.

Exam (100%), 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 at the end of the academic year.