Economic History

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 two introductory courses in economic history and will choose one option offered by other departments. You will take introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics courses. In addition, you will "‹also take LSE100.

(* denotes a half unit course)

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.

Microeconomics I* 
This course provides a foundation to understand key microeconomic questions using non-quantitative conceptual approaches.

Macroeconomics I*
This course provides a foundation to understand key macroeconomic questions using using non-quantitative conceptual approaches.

Pre-industrial Economic History
Surveys long-term processes of growth and development in late medieval and early modern Europe (fourteenth to eighteenth centuries).

One outside option

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 one compulsory economic history course. You will also choose three courses in the second year, at least two of which should be in economic history, and the third of which could be either another economic history option or an option from another department.

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. 

Two economic history options 

Either
A third economic history course to the value of one unit
Or
One outside option to the value of one unit

Third year

In your third year you will choose three courses in economic history and submit a 10,000 word research project. 

Two advanced economic history options

One economic history option

Dissertation in Economic or Social History

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

Where regulations permit, you may also be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Information can be found on the Language Centre webpages.

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: £35,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Financial service activities
• Legal and accounting activities
• Management consultancy activities
• Education
• Advertising and market research

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.

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

Kate Flocken

BSc Economic History, 2010
Legislative Aide, U.S. Senate

Working for Congress has provided a tremendous learning experience in many different policy portfolios. It has been exceptional for me in terms of learning and professional development, and I love being at the centre of policy making.

At LSE I learned how to analyse vast amounts of information quickly and efficiently. This ability to master a wide variety of issues while applying them to constantly changing circumstances has been crucial to my work in the US Senate.

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.