Finance and Economics

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or international equivalent in a quantitative subject such as economics, maths, physics, engineering, or finance. Your training must include at least a year of calculus and a semester of linear algebra.

Applicants should have studied at least a year of calculus and a semester of linear algebra.

GMAT or GRE is required for all applicants without a full three-year UK undergraduate degree. A GRE or GMAT is recommended for applicants with UK undergraduate degrees who did not achieve or are not expected to achieve a first class degree.

Work experience (either through internships or full employment) is not a pre-requisite; however, applicants who have some professional experience should include this in their application.

Months of entry

August

Course content

About the MSc programme

The MSc Finance and Economics draws on the School's strengths in economics, finance and econometrics. It is aimed at students who are interested in gaining a deep understanding of the theory and practice of financial markets.

This interdisciplinary degree, taught jointly by the Department of Finance and the Department of Economics, offers exceptional graduates from quantitative disciplines the opportunity to study in two of the most highly rated departments in their subject areas in the world.

As we teach you not only how to apply and use various well-known models, but also to understand the fundamental concepts on which they are based, you will learn how to alter, test and adapt these models in new market environments. In learning what makes the models tick, you will develop an awareness of the assumptions on which they rely, and - increasingly important in today’s markets - of situations in which these assumptions can break down.

As well as developing your understanding of financial economics, financial econometrics, microeconomics and macroeconomics to a high level, you will have the opportunity to investigate two further specialist aspects of finance in elective courses.

The rigour of the Finance and Economics programme is recognised across the world. As the most academically oriented of our programmes, it provides an excellent grounding for students who are interested in progressing to a PhD in finance or in economics.

Successful applicants come from a variety of quantitative backgrounds including economics, mathematics, engineering, statistics, finance and others. To apply, you should have strong credentials in mathematics and a fascination for finance.

Department of Finance

The LSE Department of Finance is devoted to excellence in teaching and research in the full range of the subfields of finance including corporate finance, asset pricing theory, risk management, empirical analysis of capital markets, behavioural finance, portfolio analysis, derivatives pricing, microstructure and financial econometrics.

The Department has grown in recent years to become one of the largest and most highly-regarded finance groups in the UK and Europe. It is closely associated with the LSE's Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre which regularly host a wide variety of seminars, conferences and public addresses by leading academics and practitioners. With over 200 post-graduate students selected from a pool of top applicants world-wide, a faculty recruited from the top departments internationally, and a steady flow of distinguished visitors, we have a stimulating environment for research and learning that is on par with the best in the world.

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students.

Fees and funding

Fees

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme. Visit the website for more information about the fees.

Funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships.

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.

Find out more about financial support.