Economic History and Geography

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. 

First year

In your first year you will take four compulsory courses, on geography, economic history, and economics. You will also take LSE100.

(* denotes a half unit)

The Internationalisation of Economic Growth, 1870 to the Present Day
Focuses on the inter-relationships between the development of the international economy and the growth of national economies since the late nineteenth century.

Introduction to Geography 
Examines the key concepts of human geography.

Introduction to Geographical Research
Introduces students to the production of geographical and environmental knowledge and to prepare them to become producers of such knowledge themselves. 

Microeconomics I*
There are two versions of this course: EC1A3 and EC1A5. Students will be advised about the most option to take depending of the course to take depending on academic background or future course choices.

Macroeconomics I* 
There are two versions of this course: EC1B3 and EC1B5. Students will be advised about the most appropriate option to take depending of the course to take depending on academic background or future course choices.

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

In your second year you will take compulsory courses in each geography and economic history, and choose further options from each. 

The Economic Geography of Trade, Production and Development*

The Economics of Cities*

Theories and Evidence in Economic History
This course combines practical and theoretical approaches to conducting, evaluating and interpreting research in economic history.  Students will learn to use primary sources and design their own research project. It also introduces students to critical interpretation and analysis of primary sources and research methodologies, and the nature of historical knowledge. 

Economic history options to the value of one unit

Geography options to the value of one unit

Third year

In your third year you will take two compulsory half-unit geography courses, a historical economic geography course, and complete a dissertation. You will also choose further geography options. 

Firms and Economic Geography: Location Technology and Innovation*

The Economics of Housing Markets and Migration*

Historical Economic Geography: Cities, Markets and Regions in the 19th and 20th Centuries
Explores how and why the location of economic activities changes across time and space from industrialisation up to the present. 

Either Geography options to the value of one unit, or

Economic History options to the value of one unit, or

Outside options to the value of one unit

Dissertation in Economic History

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up-to-date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Economic History

Median salary of our UG students six months after graduating: £37,500

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Financial and Professional Services
• Accounting and Auditing
• Consultancy
• Education, Teaching and Research
• Information, Digital Technology and Data

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. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Economic history combines the skills of the economist, the statistician and the sociologist, as well as those of the historian, therefore graduates leave with a portfolio of highly transferable skills that can be applied across a wide variety of employment sectors. Our graduates can be found in senior positions throughout many professions, in the City, financial and market consultancy, NGOs and the charity sector, the civil service, sales and marketing, teaching, government and academia.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search.