MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics

This internationally reputed MSc programme is designed for those with a strong quantitative background who wish to study economics and econometrics.

On this programme, you'll begin by exploring the essential principles of macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometrics before moving on to advanced study in all three areas. You’ll also choose an elective course from topics as varied as international economics, monetary economics, corporate finance, asset markets, portfolio management, machine learning, data science and stochastic processes.

The technical level of material covered in this degree is arguably higher than any similar master's degree in this field so you'll need to demonstrate a strong quantitative background.

We welcome applications from mathematicians, statisticians, physical scientists and engineers, as well as graduate economists who are looking to proceed to PhD study or a career as a quantitative economist within industry, government, central banking, international organisations or private sector economic consultancies.

• Chapters 1–14 Simon and Blume, Mathematics for Economists, Norton, 1994
• Chapters 1–5 and 9–13 of E T Dowling, Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of Mathematical Methods for Business and Economics, McGraw Hill, 1993
• Chiang and K Wainwright, Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, McGraw-Hill, 2005
• R J Larson, M L Marx, Introduction to Mathematical Statistics and its Applications, 4th edn, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2006
• J H Stock and M W Watson, Introduction to Econometrics, 3th edn, Chapters 17 and 18, Pearson, 2011
• J Wooldridge, Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, 5th edn, Chapters 2, 3 and 4, South-Western Cengage Learning, 2012

GRE/GMAT requirement

GRE is required for applicants without a UK undergraduate degree. GRE scores must be no more than five years old on 1 October 2026. You must include full and percentile test scores for all three sections with your application.

Typically we expect you to score at least 166 in the quantitative section of the test. A higher score will count in your favour, but other information, such as examination results and references will also matter in the overall evaluation. We recognise that if your first language is not English, the verbal test will be more demanding and we view your score on that basis.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

LSE is home to one of the top economics departments in the world, with expertise across the full spectrum of mainstream economics.

Our academics and researchers are working at the frontiers of developments in the field and our research has a global impact. Over the past 50 years, this research has influenced almost every major intellectual development within the discipline.

As a department, our academics advise governments and central banks, aid agencies, and private-sector organisations in the UK, Europe and around the world. Our research insights help tackle global challenges such as economic instability, inequality and climate change, often catalysing profound policy shifts.

Past and present faculty members have shaped economic policy at a national and international level and our teaching staff have included a former Bank of England governor and Chief Economist to the World Bank. We count nine Nobel Prize winners among our current and former staff and students.

Within the department, we offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as doctoral training in economics. Our alumni find high-earning and rewarding roles in government, international institutions, business and finance.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Economics

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV
• GRE/GMAT.

See further information on supporting documents and check if you're exempt from taking the GRE/GMAT.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Statement of Academic Purpose requirements

Your Statement of Academic Purpose should be concise, and should only answer the following three questions. Maximum 200 words per question. If you have no details to provide for any of the questions, please state “None”. No introductory paragraph is required.

Question 1: Are there any significant issues relevant to your application that merit further explanation? Eg, time off from studies for medical or other reasons, displacement, long-term caring responsibilities, taking time off to reassess study/work paths, etc. Please elaborate, or state “NONE”.

Question 2: Are there any exceptional circumstances you'd like to bring to the attention of the Selection Committee that impacted any aspect of your Academic record? Please elaborate, or state “NONE”.

Question 3: Are there any special features in your candidature that you'd like to explain? Please elaborate, or state “NONE”.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others.

Summative assessment may be conducted during the course and/or by final examination at the end of the course. You have the advantage of being assessed both after the end of the first term (Winter Term Week 0 January exams) and after the end of the second term (Spring Term main exam period).

An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Our former students are employed as economists in a wide range of national and international organisations in government, international institutions, business and finance. In recent years, our graduates have gained employment in organisations such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, NERA Economic Consulting, PwC, Deloitte, Compass Lexecon, McKinsey, IMF, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Bundesbank, Bank of England, and HM Treasury.

Approximately one third of students proceed to PhD programmes at LSE or other leading universities such as MIT, Princeton, Stanford, UC Berkeley, NYU, Northwestern, UPenn, Columbia, Yale, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, Berkeley Haas, UCLA, Michigan, Duke, Caltech, Wisconsin-Madison and Cornell.

Further information 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.