BSc Economics

at London School of Economics

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. You will also have the opportunity to apply for a year abroad at one of our global exchange partners. 

First year
In Michaelmas Term of the first year of the programme you will gain an essential foundation in economics and learn the necessary quantitative skills. In Lent Term you will take introductory courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. You will also choose an outside option course from a rich array of courses from other departments – this can be a whole unit course or two half unit courses in Michaelmas Term and Lent Term, respectively. In addition, you will ​also take LSE100.

Michaelmas Term

Economics (0.5)
Principles economics course to introduce students to traditional and topical economic questions and how both established and new economic approaches can deal with them.

Quantitative Methods (0.5)*
The aim of this course is to develop the basic mathematical tools necessary for further study in economics and related disciplines.

Elementary Statistical Theory (0.5)
The course provides a precise and accurate treatment of introductory probability theory, statistical ideas, methods and techniques. 

Outside option

Lent Term

Microeconomics I (0.5)
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key microeconomic questions using a variety of established and new approaches.

Macroeconomics I (0.5)
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key macroeconomic questions using a variety of established and new approaches.

Econometrics I (0.5)
Introduction to econometrics to teach students the theory and practice of empirical research in economics.

Outside option
*Students can opt to take Mathematical Methods (1.0) in place of Quantitative Methods (0.5) and the Lent Term outside option (0.5).

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Second year
The second year of the programme builds on the Year 1 courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. You will develop a firm grasp of core analytical methods and apply them to a range of problems. You will also choose one outside option from another department (a whole unit or two half units in Michaelmas Term and Lent Term, respectively).

Microeconomics II (1.0)
This intermediate-level course will help students understand key microeconomic questions and challenges and also evaluate possible solutions using a variety of approaches and student projects.

Macroeconomics II (1.0)
This intermediate-level course will help students understand key macroeconomic questions and challenges, and evaluate possible solutions using a variety of approaches and student projects.

Econometrics II (1.0)
Intermediate-level course to teach students the theory of econometrics, the practical problems of empirical research, and how to do empirical research  themselves in a student project.

Principles of Finance or optional course (1.0)

Third year
In the third year there are specialist options in all the main fields of economic enquiry, and you can choose your courses according to your interests. One of these courses could be from an approved list of relevant courses offered outside the Department.

Below we list our entry requirements in terms of GCSEs, A-Levels (the entry requirements should be read alongside our A-level subject combinations information) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK and from overseas.
 

GCSEs
 

• A strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• Your GCSE (or equivalent) English Language and Mathematics grades should be no lower than B (or 6).
• We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile

 

A-levels*

 

A*AA with an A* in Mathematics

 

• Please also see subject combinations regarding Further Mathematics requirements.
• We also consider your AS grades, if available.

Contextual admissions A-level grades**
A*AB with an A* in Mathematics

IB Diploma
38 points overall (and above) including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in Mathematics.

Contextual admissions IB grades**
37 points overall including 765 in higher level subjects, with 7 in Mathematics.

Every undergraduate student is charged a fee for each year of their programme.

The 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 does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees

Home students:
The 2023 tuition fee for new Home students has not yet been set. As a guide the 2022 fee for Home students is £9,250 per year. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Economics

Median salary of our UG students six months after graduating: £38,500*

Top 5 sectors our students work in**:

 

• Financial and Professional Services
• Accounting and Auditing
• Consultancy
• Education, Teaching and Research
• Government, Public Sector and Policy

*The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2017-18 were the first group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling.

**The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2018-19 were the second group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes.

This degree provides an excellent preparation for a range of careers, but we particularly welcome students who want to learn about economics, rather than simply prepare themselves for a prosperous future.

Over the past two decades many of our graduates have chosen to pursue careers in the financial sector, which can include positions involving economics research as well as those in banking or hedge funds. Increasingly, many have also preferred to take up positions as economic or management consultants, to join central banks, their home country’s government economic service or international organisations. Some graduates from the programme pursue quite different careers, whether as professional accountants and auditors, engaging in entrepreneurial activity, marketing or law, or in entirely different fields.