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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:L1S2
Department of Geography and Environment

MSc Local Economic Development

Deepen your understanding of local and regional economic development in this specialist programme, affiliated with the Institute for Economic Development (IED).
Academics, students and alumni discuss the MSc Local Economic Development degree at LSE

Overview

Introduction

Technological change, shifting patterns of global trade, and geopolitical tensions are leading to rapid changes in the world economy. Yet these global changes are felt very differently in local, urban and regional economies across the advanced, emerging, and developing world.

In this context, economic development increasingly requires new responses, and demands specialist skills to exploit the opportunities these changes offer.

The MSc Local Economic Development, affiliated by the Institute for Economic Development (IED), prepares you to meet these challenges.

What you’ll learn

Based on the latest academic evidence and theory, you’ll develop an understanding of:

  • How global economic change is influencing local economies
  • How the private and public sector can work together to achieve change
  • How strategies for development can best be designed and delivered
  • The implications of urbanisation, how FDI and global value chains shape economic development
  • Strategies for inclusive growth

Academic excellence

Our programme is academically rigorous and taught by one of the world’s leading research groups on sub-national economic development. The faculty includes five members listed among the top 2% of cited researchers globally, and multiple award winners, including the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) prize and the Royal Geographical Society’s Gold Medal.

Practical focus

We emphasise policy and practice through interactive lectures, classes, and seminars that engage students in current public policy debates. Our faculty have collaborated with prominent organisations such as the World Bank, OECD, European Commission, AIIB, IADB, national governments, and various private sector organisations and consultancies.

Entry requirements

Upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in social science (in the past mostly economics, development, sociology, geography, international relations and political science).

No requirement for GRE/GMAT, but a good GRE/GMAT score is a strong asset.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Standard. Read more about our English language requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

Year 1

You'll choose courses to the value of two units from a range of half-unit geography options. You'll choose additional options to the value of one unit from a range of relevant options within geography and in other departments. You'll also complete a dissertation where you'll undertake independent research on an approved topic of your choice.

Why study with us

Discover more about our department below and explore our student testimonials on our website.

Meet the department

Our department is highly regarded both nationally and internationally – ranked second for Geography in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

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:

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.

Your application

Overview

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.

See further information on supporting documents.

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

This programme is available as part of an ESRC-funded pathway onto a PhD programme. The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training master's linked to a PhD programme and is designed for students who haven't already completed an ESRC recognised programme of research training. An application must be submitted for the relevant master’s programme, including a research proposal for the PhD aspect of the pathway. Applicants must also indicate their wish to be considered for the 1+3 pathway within their personal statement.

305
Applications
48
Intake
6:1
2023 Ratio

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home

£18,300

Home student fee (2025/26)

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

Previous graduates are working in international organisations (eg, the UN system [including ILO, UNDP, FAO], World Bank, OECD, European Union, World Trade Conference), national and regional governments, international consultancy, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), research centres and leading universities.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£36,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Government, Public Sector and Policy
Financial and Professional Services
Education, Teaching and Research
Real Estate, Environment and Energy
Consultancy
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

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