Geography with Economics

The Geography with Economics BSc programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum designed to develop students' understanding of the complex relationships between geographical environments and economic processes. This programme combines rigorous academic training in physical and human geography with economic theory and analysis, equipping students with a comprehensive skill set applicable to a wide range of careers in policy, research, consultancy, and international development.

Throughout the course, students explore key themes such as spatial analysis, environmental sustainability, urban and regional development, global economic systems, and the impact of technological innovation on societies and landscapes. The programme emphasizes critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and data analysis skills, enabling students to interpret spatial data, understand economic trends, and formulate solutions to real-world challenges. Students benefit from a combination of lectures, seminars, fieldwork, and project work, which foster both theoretical understanding and practical experience.

Research-led teaching is a hallmark of the programme, with faculty members actively engaged in cutting-edge research in areas like climate change, economic geography, urban studies, and environmental economics. This ensures that the curriculum remains current and relevant to contemporary global issues. Students are encouraged to undertake independent research projects, supported by the School’s extensive resources and networks.

The programme provides excellent career prospects, preparing graduates for roles in government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, financial institutions, and private sector companies. It also offers strong foundations for further study at postgraduate level, whether in geography, economics, environmental policy, or related disciplines. With its rigorous academic approach, diverse course modules, and opportunities for experiential learning, Geography with Economics at LSE aims to produce well-rounded, analytical, and globally-minded graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

Detailed Course Facts

• English

Course Content

First year:

• Economics B
• Mathematical Methods or Quantitative Methods (Mathematics)* and Quantitative Methods (Statistics)*
• Environment, Economy and Society
• Methods in Spatial and Social Analysis or Contemporary Europe or Elementary Statistical Theory (if not taking Quantitative Methods (Statistics)) or Environmental Change: Past, Present and Future or Sustainable Development
• LSE100 (Lent Term only)

Second year:

• Microeconomic Principles I
• Location and Spatial Analysis
• LSE100 (Michaelmas Term only)

Two from:

• Economy, Society and Space
• Introduction to Development in the South
• Political Geographies, Policy and Space
• Environment: Science and Society
• Applied Environmental Economics
• Research Techniques (Spatial, Social and Environmental) (required for Independent Research Project in the third year)
• London's Geographies: An Introduction to Cultural and Historical Geography
• Theories of Regional Development and Change

Third year:

• Macroeconomic Principles
• Applied Location and Spatial Analysis

Two from:

• Theories of Regional Development and Change (if not taken in the second year)
• The Political Geography of Development and the South
• Urban Development: Politics, Policy and Planning
• The Geography of Gender: Global Perspectives
• Environmental Governance
• Environment and Development
• Independent Research Project (requires Research Techniques course in the second year)
• A second year geography and environment option
• An economics option from a list including Development Economics, Industrial Economics and Public Economics

First year

Core courses in human geography, economics and mathematics are combined with options in statistics, research methods and European geography.

Second and third years

In the second year, you take one compulsory course in geography, a compulsory course in microeconomics and two from a range of geography and environment options. In the third year you take compulsory courses in macroeconomics and geography and choose two from a given list of options.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 7 CAE score : 80(Grade A) TOEFL paper-based test score : 627 TOEFL iBT® test : 107

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Course requirement: A level Mathematics at grade B or above Usual standard offer: A level: grades A A B one of which must be MathematicsInternational Baccalaureate: Diploma with 37 points including 6 6 6 at Higher level (to include Mathematics)
Other qualifications are considered

English language requirements

Although it is not necessary to have the required grade in an acceptable English Language qualification when you make your application to LSE, if you are made an offer of a place and English is not your mother tongue, it is likely that you would be asked to obtain an acceptable English Language qualification as a condition of your offer.

The following qualifications are acceptable to LSE:

• GCSE English Language with a grade B or better.
• International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) English as a First Language with a grade B or better including the Speaking and Listening coursework component (Edexcel) or grade 2 in the optional speaking test (CIE).
• International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) academic test with a score of 7.0 in all four components.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 627 in the paper test including 5.5 in writing and 50 in TSE, or 107 in the internet based test with a minimum of 25 out of 30 in each of the four skills.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with grade B or better.
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate of English (CACE) with a grade A.
• Cambridge English Language (1119) conducted overseas by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate: B4 or better.
• O level (1120 Brunei, 1125 Mauritius A, 1127 Singapore) grade B or better.
• Singapore Integrated Programme (IP) Secondary 4 English Language grade B or better.
• Pearson Test of English (General) with a distinction at level 5 in both the written and the oral test.

Exceptions

If students offer the IGCSE in English as a First Language or O level (other than those specified above) and have been educated in the medium of English during their five most recent years of study (prior to 1 September 2011), then we will accept the qualification as sufficient evidence of English Language proficiency.

Please note that test scores must be achieved from one sitting of the relevant qualification. We will not accept individual component scores from multiple tests

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than London School of Economics and Political Science.

Funding

Financial support for 2011 entry

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. Government support, in the form of loans and grants, is available to UK and some EU students, while LSE provides generous financial support, in the form of bursaries and scholarships to UK, EU and overseas students.

Government support

for students from England

Student loan for maintenance

The student loan for maintenance helps students pay living costs during term times and holidays. The maximum loan available for students studying in London and living away from their parents' home is currently £6,928.

Maintenance grants

The means-tested maintenance grant (currently worth up to £2,906) also helps students with living expenses during their time at university. The amount a student is eligible to receive is assessed by Student Finance England. The grant does not have to be repaid.

Special Support Grant

The special support grant replaces the maintenance grant for some students who during the course of the academic year, meet the conditions for being a 'prescribed person' under the income support or housing benefit regulations. Students who are likely to qualify include:

• Single parents
• Other student parents if they have a partner who is also a student
• Students with certain disabilities

Other students may be eligible for the Special Support Grant. You don't necessarily have to receive or even have applied for Income Support or Housing Benefit.

for students from elsewhere in the UK

Different financial support packages are available for students from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Students from these countries should refer to one of the following websites:

Student Finance Wales

www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

Student Awards Agency Scotland

www.saas.gov.uk

Student Finance Northern Ireland

www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

for EU students

Students from the EU are not usually eligible for UK Government financial support. However, EU nationals (or children of EU nationals) who have lived in the UK or islands for three years before the start of their course (ie, since 1 September 2008 for a course starting on 1 September 2011) may now qualify for a student loan and grants.

for overseas students

Students from outside the EU are not eligible to apply for UK Government funds. However, there is a range of funding available for overseas students from external agencies, bodies or your home government, details of which are available from your home government or nearest British Council office (www.britishcouncil.org/learning), or UKCISA (www.ukcisa.org.uk).

LSE financial support

for UK students

LSE Bursary

The LSE Bursary is available for students from low-income backgrounds (from England and Wales) and is worth up to £7,500 over a three-year programme. The value of the LSE Bursary is linked to students' (or their family's) income levels, which will be assessed when calculating the maintenance grant. The maximum LSE Bursary of £2,500 per year is awarded to those students with the lowest residual income. These Bursaries do not have to be repaid.

LSE Discretionary Bursary

The LSE Discretionary Bursary is available for new LSE students (from the UK and the EU) who face exceptional financial needs, including, for example, caring responsibilities, financial need related to disability or an unavoidable requirement to live at home. The value of the award may vary according to need. These Bursaries do not have to be repaid.

LSE Scholarships

Each year LSE awards a number of scholarships - funded by private or corporate donation - to UK applicants to the School. The number, value, eligibility criteria and type of awards vary from year to year. Awards are made on the basis of financial need and academic merit.

Stelios scholarships

Four Stelios scholarships, currently worth £5,444 per year, are available for UK students applying for business subjects at LSE.

Access to Learning funds

Registered UK students from low-income households can apply directly to LSE for Access to Learning funds. These funds are designed for students who may need extra financial support for their course, and are provided by the Government to assist with living expenses.

for EU students

LSE Discretionary Bursary

The LSE discretionary bursary is available to EU students. For information about this bursary and how to apply, please see the section on LSE financial support for UK students.

LSE scholarships

LSE offers a number of undergraduate scholarships of varying amounts each year to EU students.

Stelios scholarships

Six Stelios scholarships, currently worth £5,444 per year, are available for EU students applying for business subjects at LSE.

for overseas students

LSE undergraduate support scheme

The LSE undergraduate support scheme (USS) is designed to help overseas students who do not have the necessary funds to meet all their costs of study. In 2008, the School disbursed nearly £1 million in entrance awards available to self-financing students of all nationalities. This financial aid is available only for study at LSE. If you are made an offer of admission, we will advise you on how to apply to the USS online. This system is able to provide an immediate indication of an applicant's eligibility for assistance. In the first instance, you will be assessed on the basis of your financial circumstances. Awards are renewable for each year of your course. Applications will be considered between the end of February and the middle of August.

LSE scholarships

The School offers a limited number of undergraduate scholarships of varying amounts each year for overseas students.

The BSc Geography with Economics programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers students a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that combines the study of physical and human geography with core economic principles. This combination equips graduates with a comprehensive understanding of spatial processes and economic systems, preparing them for careers in policy analysis, urban planning, environmental management, and international development. The programme is designed to develop analytical skills, critical thinking, and quantitative techniques, including GIS, statistical analysis, and economic modeling, essential for addressing complex global issues. Students have access to cutting-edge research facilities and participate in fieldwork and projects that enhance practical understanding. The programme typically spans three years, with a flexible module structure allowing specialization in areas such as environmental geography, economic geography, transport, urban development, or regional analysis. Core modules usually cover themes like global environmental change, economic principles, spatial data analysis, and development issues, while optional courses enable students to tailor their learning to specific interests. The programme is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and its emphasis on empirical research and data-driven analysis, supported by expert faculty members who are leading researchers in their fields. Graduates of Geography with Economics often pursue further study or career paths in government agencies, international organizations, consultancy firms, research institutes, or the private sector. LSE’s central London location offers students unparalleled opportunities for internships and engagement with policy makers, environmental organizations, and economic institutions. The programme also encourages critical engagement with contemporary debates about sustainability, urbanization, economic inequality, and climate change, fostering informed and responsible graduates. Overall, the programme aims to produce well-rounded, globally aware graduates ready to tackle the spatial and economic challenges facing society today.