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Undergraduate
UCAS code:L1N3
Department of Statistics

BSc Economics and Data Science

Explore the complexities of the economy and the power of data. Acquire cutting-edge quantitative skills to tackle real-world economic problems and challenges.

Overview

Introduction

Our BSc Economics and Data Science integrates the fields of economics and data science to provide a comprehensive understanding of economic principles, advanced data science methodologies, and the synergy between these two disciplines to address real-world problems.

The programme is designed for students who want to combine economic and econometrics theory with cutting-edge data analysis methods to gain insights.

The programme has a strong mathematical focus. You’ll learn about economics, econometrics, classical and modern data analysis tools, machine learning methods, and AI and become proficient in computer programming for data science.

This unique programme equips you with the conceptual frameworks and skills to analyse economic relationships, make data-driven decisions, and tackle real-world problems. It provides you with a programme of study designed for students who combine a strong analytical ability with the curiosity to apply rigorous economics and statistical methods to social science issues using data analysis.

Entry requirements

Here, you can check our entry requirements for GCSEs, A-levels (please read them alongside our information about subject combinations) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We also consider applications from students with a range of other UK qualifications and from overseas. Please select the overseas button below and choose your country from the dropdown list to find the equivalency to A-levels of your qualification.

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For GCSEs, you’ll need a strong pre-16 academic profile such as several GCSE grades of A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9).

We also ask for a good set of GCSE grades or equivalent across a broad range of subjects, with a minimum of grade B (or 6) in GCSE English and Mathematics.

A*AA, with an A* in Mathematics

Where it's offered by your school or college, AS- or A-level Further Mathematics is expected to be taken and a grade A achieved.

We also consider your AS grades, if available.

A*AB with an A* in Mathematics

Where it's offered by your school or college, AS- or A-level Further Mathematics is expected to be taken and a grade A achieved.

Read our undergraduate admissions information to learn more about LSE’s approach to contextual offers and admissions.

  • Mathematics at A-level or equivalent is required. Further Mathematics is highly desirable.
  • The programme requires excellent quantitative skills. So, quantitatively oriented A-level courses such as Physics or Chemistry provide excellent preparation, although these subjects are not mandatory.
  • Good marks in any quantitative courses at GCSE level are also desirable.

Find out more about A-level subject combinations.

39 points overall, including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in "Mathematics: analysis and approaches"

38 points overall, including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in "Mathematics: analysis and approaches"

Read our undergraduate admissions information to learn more about LSE’s approach to contextual offers and admissions.

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

We welcome students from all walks of life at LSE. We want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation. So, whatever your background, please do apply. Get all the details on our general entry requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is high. We cannot guarantee you an offer of a place even if you’re predicted or achieve our standard entry requirements.

Our standard offer requirements are intended only as a guide and, in some cases, you’ll be asked for different grades.

Programme content

On this programme, you'll study 12 units over three years, plus LSE100.

Year 1

You’ll take six compulsory foundation courses, including four half-unit courses. Additionally, you’ll take LSE100.

For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

You may be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Find all the details on our Language Centre webpages.

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study, due to developments in teaching practice, regulatory requirements that require us to comply, lack of demand, financial unviability of a course, or due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the loss of a key member of staff or where a location or building becomes unavailable for use.

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to developments in the discipline or as a consequence of student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

For further information on how we comply with UK consumer protection law, see your consumer rights as a student.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

The Department of Statistics at LSE is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the UK.

The department has an international reputation for the development of statistical methodology and a long history of pioneering contributions to research and teaching. Many of the world’s most famous and innovative statisticians have been associated with LSE.

Our research spans four main areas – data science, probability in finance and insurance, social statistics, and time series and statistical learning. The department has close links with the Data Science Institute at LSE – an interdisciplinary institute that fosters the study of data science, with a particular emphasis on the social, economic and political contexts.

All aspects of our research were ranked world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021), submitted jointly with the Department of Mathematics.

The department’s research strengths are reflected in our teaching curriculum. We have a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and doctoral research opportunities – hosted in a vibrant department with a supportive and friendly community of staff and students.

Our alumni enjoy successful careers in diverse areas, such as banking, accounting, finance, statistics, government and business consulting while others pursue postgraduate study or research. Our alumni frequently return to LSE to share their career experiences with current students.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Your application

Overview

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

Fees and funding

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

You're charged a fee for each year of your programme. 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

The 2027/28 tuition fee for Home students hasn’t yet been set. As a guide, the 2026/27 fee for Home students is £9,790. The Home undergraduate fee is charged in line with the maximum fee determined by the UK Government and may increase in subsequent years, in line with government plans.

Your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, depend on whether you’re classified as a home or an overseas student – known as your fee status. We assess your fee using The Higher education (Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2017.

Learn more about fee status classification.

We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE offers a range of financial support to help eligible students with the cost of studying.

For UK Home fee status students, this includes the LSE Bursary, LSE Scholarships, the LSE Accommodation Bursary, and the Care-Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary. UK students may also be eligible for government student loans.

For Overseas fee status students, the School provides a range of bursaries and scholarships, including the LSE Access to Education Scholarships, to support your undergraduate study. These awards are funded by philanthropic donations to LSE and vary each year in number, value and eligibility criteria.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Format and contact hours: you’ll usually attend a mix of lectures and related classes, seminars or workshops totalling 10 to 15 hours per week. Get a broad idea of the study time involved in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

Independent study: you’ll need to complete independent study outside your classes. You’ll need to manage much of this work independently, which may include reading, note-taking and research.

LSE teaching: LSE is internationally recognised for teaching and research and our academics have wide-ranging expertise. Courses may be taught by our faculty staff, guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants, who can be doctoral research students. Learn about the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.

Academic mentor: you’ll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work. Your mentor can provide advice and guidance on academic issues and, where appropriate, personal concerns.

Other academic support: at LSE, we offer lots of opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom.

The Learning Lab is the place to discover and develop the skills you’ll need to reach your academic goals at LSE.

Through the Learning Lab, you can:

  • attend practical workshops and one-to-one sessions on essay writing, conducting research, and on managing your reading lists, workloads, and deadlines
  • develop your academic writing, reading, and critical-thinking skills to meet degree-level expectations
  • work in study groups to strengthen collaboration, cross-cultural communication, and teamwork skills in a supportive environment.

Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service. This is the first point of contact for students.

  • The standard teaching day runs from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Undergraduate teaching is not normally scheduled for Wednesdays after 12 noon to allow for sports, volunteering and other extra-curricular activities.
  • The lecture and seminar timetable is published in mid-August and the full academic timetable (with information on classes) is published by mid-September via the LSE timetables web pages.
  • All personal undergraduate timetables are published in LSE for You (LFY). For personal timetables to appear, you must be registered at LSE, be signed up for courses in LFY and ensured that there are no unauthorised clashes in your course selections. We try our best to minimise changes once personal timetables have been published. However, you’ll be notified about any changes by email.

Graduate destinations

Overview

Graduates of the BSc in Economics and Data Science can pursue a variety of exciting roles, including:

  • Data Analyst: use statistical tools to interpret complex data sets and provide actionable insights for businesses and organisations
  • Economic Consultant: advise companies and governments on economic policies, market trends, and financial strategies
  • Financial Analyst: analyse financial data to help businesses make informed investment decisions
  • Policy Analyst: work with think tanks or government agencies to develop and evaluate public policies based on economic data.

Top 4 sectors our students work in:

Financial and Professional Services
Insurance
Information, Digital Technology and Data
Accounting and Auditing
This data is drawn from the 2022/23 Graduate Outcomes Survey, conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Where included, median salaries are based on respondents in full-time employment who were paid in UK pounds sterling. Graduates from 2022/23 were the sixth and final cohort to take part in the Graduate Outcomes Survey. For data aggregated across the past five years, please visit the LSE Careers website.

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