Government and Economics

The Government and Economics program at the London School of Economics and Political Science offers an in-depth exploration of the essential principles that underpin modern governance and economic systems. Designed for students interested in understanding the complex interplay between political institutions, policymaking processes, and economic dynamics, this interdisciplinary degree provides a comprehensive curriculum that combines rigorous theoretical frameworks with practical insights. Throughout the course, students will examine key topics such as public policy analysis, political theory, economic development, international relations, and quantitative methods. The program encourages critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling graduates to assess policy proposals, understand institutional behavior, and evaluate economic trends. Students benefit from the expertise of leading scholars and practitioners in the field, engaging with contemporary issues like fiscal policy, government regulation, globalization, and social equity. The program also emphasizes research skills, data analysis, and effective communication, preparing graduates for careers in government, international organizations, think tanks, or further academic study. With access to LSE’s extensive resources, including specialized research centers and a vibrant academic community, students are encouraged to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. The program also offers optional modules that allow students to tailor their studies toward specific interests within the realms of political economy, public administration, or international development. Graduates of the Government and Economics program will emerge with a nuanced understanding of how economic and political factors influence each other and shape societal outcomes. This knowledge equips them to contribute meaningfully to policy debates, drive strategic decision-making, and promote effective governance in diverse global contexts. Whether pursuing careers in public service, international agencies, or private sectors, students will leave with a solid foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of government and economics, prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Detailed Course Facts

• English

Course Content

First year:

(*half unit)

• Economics B
• Basic Quantitative Methods or Quantitative Methods (Mathematics)* and Quantitative Methods (Statistics)*
• LSE100 (Lent Term only)

Two from:

• Introduction to Political Science
• Introduction to Political Theory
• An outside option

Second year:

• Microeconomic Principles
• Macroeconomic Principles
• Introduction to Political Theory or Introduction to Political Science (if not taken in the first year) or government option
• Public Choice and Politics
• LSE100 (Michaelmas Term only)

Third year:

• Two government options
• One economics option
• One government, economics or outside option

First year

Your study begins with basic courses in each subject, including a mathematics course (the choice of course depends on your previous knowledge of mathematics: for students without A Level Mathematics, it is strongly recommended that they take a specially designed statistics course in order to bring them up to the required level for further study).

Second and third years

You combine advanced study of optional government subjects with compulsory courses in Microeconomic Principles and Macroeconomic Principles, Public Choice and Politics, and a further range of options in both subjects. One option from another subject is possible.

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: GCSE Mathematics, grade B or above. A level or International Baccalaureate Higher level Mathematics is desirable

Usual standard offer: A level: grades A A BInternational Baccalaureate: Diploma with 37 points including 6 6 6 at Higher level
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.

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 Government and Economics programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science offers a comprehensive exploration of the interconnections between government policy, economic theory, and real-world application. This multidisciplinary degree combines rigorous training in economic analysis with an understanding of political institutions and their impact on policy-making. Students develop a strong foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics, political science, and quantitative methods, enabling them to analyze complex issues such as public finance, regulatory policy, international trade, and economic development. The curriculum is designed to equip graduates with critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for careers in public service, policy advising, international organizations, and academia. Throughout the programme, students engage with contemporary economic debates and policy challenges, often through case studies, research projects, and seminars led by experienced faculty members. The programme emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, fostering skills in data analysis, policy evaluation, and strategic thinking. students have opportunities to participate in internships, field trips, and collaborative projects with government agencies and non-governmental organizations. The duration of the BSc programme is typically three years, and it is structured to provide a thorough grounding in both disciplines before allowing for specialization in final year modules. Admission requirements generally include strong academic credentials in relevant subject areas, with an emphasis on quantitative skills. Graduates of the programme are well-prepared for careers in governmental departments, international bodies, think tanks, consultancy firms, and further academic research. The university's vibrant academic community and extensive library resources support a stimulating learning environment, fostering intellectual growth and professional development.