BSc Geography with Economics

You’ll learn about the uneven impact of economic activity globally and deepen your understanding of the forces driving social, political, environmental and economic change. The programme provides a solid grounding in geography and economics, building your knowledge in mathematical and statistical analysis. This will equip you with a range of transferable skills for your future career.

You’ll have considerable flexibility to tailor the degree to your interests – in areas such as economic geography, sustainable development, urban geography, regional development and human geography. You can take part in an international field trip in the second year.

In 2023, LSE was rated 2nd globally for Geography and 7th for Economics (2023 QS World University Rankings). Our academics are at the forefront of global research, working with policymakers, the third sector and big business to apply their insights to real-world issues. So, you’ll learn from the best.

Your time will be split 75/25 between geography and economics.

Geography

• P Cheshire, M Nathan and H Overman Urban Economics and Urban Policy: challenging conventional policy wisdom (Edward Elgar, 2014)
• E Glaeser Triumph of the City (Penguin Press, 2011)
• S Chant and C McIlwaine Geographies of Development in the 21st Century: an introduction to the Global South (Edward Elgar 2009)
• P Cloke, P Crang and M Goodwin (Eds) Introducing Human Geographies (3rd edition, Hodder Arnold, 2013)
• P Dicken Global Shift: mapping the changing contours of the world economy (Sage Publications, 2015)
• A Jones Human Geography: the basics (Routledge, 2012)
• W Oates (Ed) The RFF Reader in Environmental and Resources Management (Resources for the Future, 2006)
• A Pike, A Rodríguez-Pose and J Tomaney Local and Regional Development (Routledge 2016)
• M Storper Keys to the City: how economics, institutions, social interaction and politics shape development (Princeton University Press, 2013)
• E Moretti The new geography of jobs (Mariner, 2013)
• O'Sullivan Urban Economics (Irwin/MacGraw-Hill, 2012)

A number of academic staff have spoken at public lectures – these are available to listen again as podcasts, for example Professor Henry Overman, Professor Steve Gibbons and Professor Michael Storper.

Economics

• A V Banerjee and E Duflo Poor Economics: barefoot hedge-fund managers, DIY doctors and the surprising truth about life on less than $1 a day (Penguin, 2012)
• T Harford The Undercover Economist (Abacus, 2007)
• S D Levitt and S J Dubner Freakonomics (Penguin, 2007)
• S D Levitt and S J Dubner Superfreakonomics (Penguin, 2010)

It is a very good idea to have a look at one or more economics textbooks, to have a clear idea of what the serious university study of the subject involves, which will differ from these popular presentations. Although the texts and editions listed below are currently recommended for the first year, other editions of these books and other university-level textbooks are also entirely valid for this first investigation.

• N G Mankiw Macroeconomics (7th edition, Worth Publishers, 2010)
• W Morgan, M L Katz and H Rosen Microeconomics (2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, 2009)

Our department is highly regarded both nationally and internationally – ranked second for Geography in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Here at LSE, we offer a unique opportunity to study geography in a university with a worldwide reputation in the social sciences. We specialise in economic, urban and development geography, environmental social science and climate change, all with a strong emphasis on real-world applications.

Many of our academics are internationally renowned in their fields. You’ll find a good balance of experienced and younger academics in the department. Within the team, we’ve had three holders of the highly prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize Fellowships for researchers under the age of 36.

Our research is interdisciplinary and international in its scope and we work closely with academics from several other departments at LSE. Teaching staff are active within the following research centres:

• Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies
• Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy
• Centre for Economic Performance
• Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
• LSE London
• Middle East Centre
• Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre
• Transition Pathway Initiative Centre
• What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth

Based in the heart of London opposite Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the department offers a lively, welcoming and supportive community for students and staff.
Learn more about our undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD study opportunities, as well as our research.

Department of Geography and Environment

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• strong mathematical abilities and quantitative skills
• an interest in contemporary geographical problems and their solutions
• an ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
• intellectual curiosity
• the ability to follow complex lines of reasoning and analyse data
• an ability to think independently and show initiative
• excellent time-management skills
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard
• a proportionate interest in geography and economics

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams. Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Feedback is normally given within three weeks – provided you’ve submitted your work on time.

Summative assessment

This assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

• Most full units are assessed through coursework and/or Summer Term exams.
• Autumn Term half units are mostly (but not exclusively) assessed through coursework.
• Winter Term half units are mostly assessed through either coursework or summer term exams.

You’ll also receive feedback on summative coursework.

For assessments set during the Autumn or Winter Terms, individual feedback will normally be provided within four weeks of submission. For dissertations, you’ll receive feedback within four weeks of the start of the following term (School holidays excluded).

Please note: assessment methods vary by course and this information provides a general guide only. You’ll find details of formative coursework and summative assessments for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

Recent graduates from this programme have gone on to work in the areas of financial services, planning, consultancy, administration, marketing, development, teaching and further study.

Read more on graduate destinations for this programme.

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.