london school of economics phd program

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The London School of Economics and Political Science

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Houghton Street London WC2A 2AE United Kingdom

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is regarded as an international centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences. LSE was founded in 1895 and joined the University of London in 1900.

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), LSE is shown as the top university in the UK based on the proportion of ‘world-leading’ (4*) research produced.

LSE is also the joint second ranking university in the UK overall, when considering research outputs, research impact and research environment. 58 per cent of LSE’s research was judged to be world-leading (4*) and 35 per cent was deemed to be internationally excellent (3*). More About LSE in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)

The School’s academic profile spans a broad range of social sciences and is renowned for studying real world issues, from economics, politics and law to sociology, anthropology, accounting and finance.

LSE offers 40 Bachelor’s degree programmes, over 140 taught Master’s and Diploma programmes, and PhD opportunities across the social sciences. Teaching and research are conducted through 25 Departments and Institutes and 23 Research Centres.

The University of London offers more than 30 distance learning undergraduate qualifications in finance and social science related disciplines that receive academic direction from LSE.

LSE is also part of a consortium of member institutions that provides academic direction for distance learning LLB and CertHE Common Law programmes. LSE is ranked sixth in the current QS World Rankings(External website) for law.

LSE has students from over 160 countries worldwide making the School a very international and cosmopolitan institution in which to study and their central location offers easy access to the vast cultural and social life that London has to offer.

Alumni and former staff include 18 Nobel Prize winners in Economics, Peace or Literature

The School regularly attracts leading public figures to give lectures, attend seminars and consult staff.

Graduates can be found in senior positions in organisations and government worldwide. Alumni and former staff include 18 Nobel Prize winners in Economics, Peace or Literature and 36 past or present Heads of State.

LSE alumni benefit from bespoke careers services, a mentoring network, events and their Leadership Series - livestreamed lectures with the world’s thought leaders.

LSE also hosts prestigious Summer school (External website) which are regularly attended by students from the University of London.

Scholarships are available to attend the session in London, while other July programmes are available in Beijing and Cape Town, South Africa

UCL School of Management

University college london, phd programme in financial economics.

Start date:  September 2024 Duration: 5 years (1 year MRes + 4 years PhD) Fees:  We offer fully-funded scholarships to all admitted students who have applied by the 31 January 2024 (see details below)  Application deadline:  31 January 2024, 17:00 UK time (late applications submited by the 05 April 2024 may still be considered, see details below) Entry:  Applicants must hold a distinction in a master’s degree in Economics or a closely related subject. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of analytical and quantitative skills (such as in mathematics and statistics), evidenced by strong performance in relevant modules taken on previous degree programmes and/or through relevant standardised test performance (such as GRE Quantitative of at least 160). International students, please note that UCL’s English language requirement for this programme is a ‘ Level 2 ’ (IELTS and TOEFL are the preferred test, however others on the UCL recognised test list will be accepted if required) - further details regarding this can be found on the  UCL English Language Requirements  page.

The MRes and PhD in Financial Economics is a joint programme between the UCL Department of Economics and the UCL School of Management.

The MRes programme is the first year of the five-year integrated MRes/PhD programme in Financial Economics. The MRes programme will provide you with training in research methods together with an advanced understanding of financial economics, to enable you to conduct insightful and original PhD level research in financial economics. 

The MRes will firstly provide quantitative training in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and finance. These will be taught in the context of cutting-edge research and relevant applications. Secondly, it will provide you with analytic frameworks and transferable skills that will allow you to identify relevant and promising research topics, present ideas in order to obtain feedback, and provide feedback yourself. 

The subsequent years (for students who progress from the MRes to MPhil) will focus on the skills you will need to run research projects to completion and to present completed research projects to various kinds of specialised audiences. Likewise, teaching skills will also be developed.

PhD Structure

• The MRes programme consists of taught modules (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics. Real Analysis and Probability with Economic Application), a hybrid module (Financial Economics) with taught components and research based components, and a research project in the final part of the year. For the MRes project, you work under supervision to design and carry out a substantial piece of original research. This enables you to gain a deep understanding of the entire research process.
• Superior performance is required for automatic progression from MRes to MPhil. In particular, students should achieve an average mark of not less than 60% in the independent, original research components of the programme, and not less than 50% in the taught element.
• Our highly selective and small-sized PhD programme ensures that each student receives personal attention and guidance from our faculty members throughout their doctoral study. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career. At the same time, you will be part of both the School of Management PhD cohort and the Economics PhD cohort, with which you will share most of the taught modules.
• We expect our PhD graduates to have as their goal an academic career as a faculty member in a top business school or Economics department or in the research group of an international institution or a central bank.

Students take a total of 180 credits in the MRes year. This is made up of the MRes Research Project (MSIN0135) and 75 credits of compulsory taught modules. 

All modules in the MRes year are core modules, there are no optional modules. 

• ECON0107 - Macroeconomics, 15 credits  
• ECON0106 - Microeconomics, 15 credits  
• ECON0108 - Econometrics, 15 credits  
• ECON0118 - Real Analysis and Probability with Economic Applications, 15 credits
• MSIN0234 - Topics in Financial Economics, 30 credits  
• MSIN0135 - MRes Financial Economics Research Project, 105 credits  

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion. Student performance is assessed through presentations, coursework, projects, and examinations. 

Students will study 4 compulsory taught modules. A typical taught module is taught over two terms (2 x 10 weeks) with 4 hours of contact hours per week (3 hours of lecture + 1 hour of review session). In addition, students spend approximately 6-8 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars.  

Students will also undertake a substantial research project, which would usually start in Term 2 and be completed over the Summer. The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.

Why choose us

What makes us different:.

Unlike many PhD Programmes in finance, our programme has a full anchor in economics and econometrics. Hence, we offer a unique world-class environment that combines the best of a leading business school, located in Canary Wharf, the heart of London’s modern financial district, and the tradition of economic research and teaching of the Department of Economics, which is located in Bloomsbury, London’s historical intellectual centre.

If you want to become an academic economist conducting research in finance, this programme is for you.  

UCL School of Management and the Department of Economics  

Founded in 2007, UCL School of Management has forged a reputation for world-leading research in management studies with 95% of the School’s research deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent, the second highest percentage of any business school in the UK, according to the 2021 REF . The PhD programme is an integral part of our School’s active and ambitious research environment where students receive rigorous academic training and personalised research mentorship. 

The UCL Department of Economics has an outstanding international reputation in key areas of current research. The Department ranked top in the UK for research environment and outputs in the field of Economics and Econometrics in the 2021 REF . 

Our research programme offers a unique education and research experience with the intent of preparing you for scholarly careers at the highest level. Our highly selective and small-sized programme ensures that you receive personal attention and an opportunity for guidance from our world-leading scholars. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career. 

As a research student you will join a highly active research environment which involves frequent research seminars and visits by leading scholars worldwide, reading groups, brown bag seminars and panels in which PhD students and faculty members present and discuss their ongoing work. Such forums provide an excellent opportunity to receive critical constructive feedback on your research and to develop academic, generic and transferable skills.

Applications

Applying for our mres/phd programme.

Entry requirements and admissions criteria:

Applicants to the MRes+PhD programme must hold a distinction in a master’s degree in Economics or a closely related subject. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of analytical and quantitative skills (such as in mathematics and statistics), evidenced by strong performance in relevant modules taken on previous degree programmes and/or through relevant standardised test performance (such as GRE Quantitative of at least 160). Submitting a GRE test result is encouraged but not compulsory and is only one of the components used to assess the strength of applications. 

We only have a single intake in September. We accept applications throughout the year. Successful candidates who have submitted their MRes application by 31 January 2024 will receive a scholarship (full fee waiver plus a stipend). Successful candidates who have submitted their application after this date may receive a scholarship subject to availability, or will come with their own funding.

In your personal statement you are expected to suggest one or more faculty members as potential supervisors. On the application form you may see that it states that it is preferred that you contact potential supervisors beforehand. However, we strongly discourage applicants from contacting individual faculty members or potential supervisors when applying to our programme. All applications are first evaluated by a joint admissions committee, so contacting potential supervisors separately will not increase your chances.

We also require you to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores if English is not your first language. Our School requires a “Level 2” English language qualification which corresponds to:

IELTS: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the sub-tests.

TOEFL: Score of 96 overall, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 22/30 in the listening and speaking subtests. 

Application Deadline

The application window closes 31 January 2024 (17:00 UK time) and a late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time). We advise those interested in the programme to apply before 31 January 2024, as those applying in the late submission window will only be considered if there are still places remaining.

Application Procedure

Apply via UCL Postgraduate Admissions System here . When starting the application, you must select the MRes Financial Economics option. In addition to filling out the online application form, please upload a copy of the following documents:

• Official Transcripts of Grades / Course marks
• A 1 page personal statement that clearly indicates: (i) your research interests and preliminary research ideas, (ii) potential faculty member(s) you may want to work with (this is a suggested list, you don’t need to contact potential supervisors beforehand), and (iii) your motivation to do a PhD.
• Your  GRE  score report, if you took the test.
• Your IELTS/TOEFL score report, if English is not your first language.

Funding/Scholarships

We offer fully funded five year scholarships to all admitted students who apply before the 31 January 2024. The scholarship is open to all nationalities. It covers all tuition fees, and includes an annual stipend of £25,000 which is tax-free. 

Successful candidates who have submitted their application after 31 January 2024 may receive a scholarship subject to availability or will come with their own funding.

Additional Costs

This programme does not have any compulsory additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying.  Students may have the opportunity to participate in conferences in the UK and internationally. The UCL School of Management provides MRes/PhD students with an annual budget for conferences, which students will use to cover the travel, accommodation, food and other costs whilst at conferences, in line with UCL’s expenses policy. 

Further Information and Contact Details

The full-time MRes/PhD programme runs from September each academic year. Entrance is therefore every September. While we may accept applications until 05 April 2024 we encourage candidates to apply as early as possible. Our programme is very selective and we only admit a limited number of students, so applying before 31 January 2024 increases your chances.

How to Apply

For queries about the MRes/PhD Programme that are not addressed on our web pages, please contact [email protected] .

Video Library

Frequently Asked Questions about the UCL School of Management MRes/PhD Programme

Programme Information

Application process, admissions requirements.

Students are required to possess a “Level 2” English language qualification if it is not their first language. This means: TOEFL: Score of 96, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing, and 22/30 in the listening and speaking subtests. IELTS: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.

Further Information

If you have any other questions regarding the programme that are not addressed on our web pages please email the programme team ( [email protected] )

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MSc Finance and Economics

• Graduate taught
• Department of Finance
• Application code LN43
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Open
• Overseas full-time: Open
• Location: Houghton Street, London

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.  

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements.

We welcome applications from all prospective students who meet the minimum requirements for this programme. We seek to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background. We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, and take into account all the information presented on your application form, including your: 

• Academic achievement
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Two academic references
• Additional test scores

See further information on supporting documents

You should note that there are always many more applications than places available and possession of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee that you will be offered a place.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however we encourage you to apply early. Details on how to apply .

To be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

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 . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees 2024/25 for msc finance and economics.

Home students: £35,472 Overseas students: £36,168

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a  fee reduction  of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other 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 . 

Students on this programme are also eligible for the Sudipto Bhattacharya Scholarships .

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an offer for a place and submitting a Graduate Financial Support application, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 25 April 2024 .

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.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Programme structure and courses

Programme overview, pre-sessional programme.

All registered students will participate in a compulsory pre-sessional programme in August 2024. This combines academic preparation with professional development workshops and events.

Academic training Students will take part in the  EC400 Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics  (before the main term-time teaching programme starts). The course includes treatment of dynamic programming, continuous time dynamic optimisation, quadratic forms, Kuhn-Tucker theorem, joint and conditional probability distributions, Gauss-Markov assumptions and maximum likelihood estimation, amongst other topics.

Professional development Students will participate in careers skills development sessions delivered by in-house and external professionals. The programme also includes networking and social events with alumni, a City Speaker Series of interactive talks from leading finance professionals and preparation for technical finance interviews. The programme is designed to enable students to be ready for the competitive financial services sector job market.

Students take three units’ worth of compulsory core courses and choose two half-unit elective courses from a range offered within the Department, enabling them to tailor the programme to their interests.

(* denotes a half unit course)

Core courses

Financial Economics  (taught entirely in Autumn Term) Examines investors' behaviour, market equilibrium and asset pricing. Includes a mandatory preparatory course in stochastic calculus in Week 6.

Financial Econometrics  (taught in Autumn and Winter Terms) Explores the techniques of empirical investigation in economics and finance, and their application.

Microeconomics†  (taught in Autumn and Winter Terms) Develops the basic tools for analysing problems of resource allocation used by economists working in research, government and business.

Students with relevant credentials can apply to replace the full unit of Microeconomics with a half-unit of Microeconomics and a half-unit of Macroeconomics:

Microeconomics for MSc F&E* (half unit, taught in Autumn Term) Develops the basic tools for analysing problems of resource allocation used by economists working in research, government and business. and Macroeconomics for MSc F&E* (half unit, taught in Winter Term) Focuses on the main characteristics of business cycle fluctuations with a special emphasis on what happened during the financial crisis and different macroeconomic models to study business cycles.

†Students with relevant credentials can apply to replace the full unit of Microeconomics with a full-unit of Macroeconomics .

Courses to the value of one unit from the options below:

Elective courses

Dedicated courses   (Finance students only)

Advanced Financial Economics* Fixed Income Securities and Credit Markets* Topics in Portfolio Management* Financial Engineering* Risk Management in Financial Markets* International Finance A*

Non-dedicated courses   (open to non-Finance students)

Quantitative Security Analysis* Applied Corporate Finance* Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing* Entrepreneurial Finance*

You will complete a 6000-word structured project in place of an exam in one of your elective courses.

MSc comparison: view an overview of all of the Master’s programmes in the Department of Finance

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

Please note 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 graduate course and programme information  page.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching .

The format of teaching for MSc Finance and Economics courses varies. Some courses may have two-hour lectures followed by a separate class; others may have three-hour interactive sessions. Teaching sessions can vary in size depending upon the course. Some classes may be taught by Graduate Teaching Assistants. Students on the MSc Finance and Economics programme have on average 11 hours of contact time per week during the teaching terms.

Assessment methods

Examinations:  MSc Finance and Economics students have two exams in Week 0 of Winter Term. The Summer Exam Period takes place from late April until early June. The exam timetable changes each year and is published by the school at least six weeks before the start of the exam period.

Summative work:  Some Finance courses contain a coursework element which contributes to the final course grade. At LSE this type of coursework is called 'summative assessment'. Different courses set different types of summative work. Some courses require weekly submission of problem sets which all make up a small percentage of the final grade. Summer Exams in some elective courses are replaced by In-Class Assessments, which can take place from the end of Winter Term.

Formative work:  At LSE, any work which is set but does not contribute towards the final course mark is known as formative work. The purpose of formative work is to inform students of their progress on the course and whether they are understanding the concepts taught in lectures. Some formative work is informal, via the setting of problems sets that the teacher will work through with the class, however most courses will also ask for a piece of work to be submitted and then graded.

Academic support

All academic faculty schedule weekly office hours in which any student may visit them to discuss academic issues. In some cases, students may be able to arrange a time to meet with a member of faculty outside their office hours.

The MSc Finance & Economics Associate Programme Director will also be your Academic Mentor. Her role is to keep an overview of your academic progress and overall wellbeing during your time at the School. In addition, she has extensive experience of the financial services sector, enabling her to provide a high level of careers support.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE.  LSE LIFE  is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s  Disability and Wellbeing Service  provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students. It is a first point of contact for all students with physical impairments, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, specific learning difficulties, and autistic spectrum conditions.

Professional Development Programme

The Department of Finance runs an extensive Professional Development Programme alongside the Academic programme to support and prepare students to enter the job market. Starting in the pre-sessional course in August, students are given a wide range of careers support, from CV workshops and application advice to sector overviews and opportunities to meet and network with recent alumni who are working in London.

We run a variety of events to best prepare students for the competitive financial services sector job market:

Technical Interview Prep Workshop

This workshop is designed to introduce students to the corporate valuation methodologies that are most often presented to them during finance interviews.  Using an intensive exercise-based approach, the workshop covers finance concepts, reinforces them through problems, and then integrates them into interview question drills.

All students are given access to crash courses in accounting and excel. The course also provides a useful grounding for the “Theories of Corporate Finance” part of the FM436 Financial Economics course.

Presentation Skills Workshop

Delivered by a professional corporate coach, this interactive workshop gives students the tools to communicate with impact, influence and confidence.

Graduates of the Department have excellent career prospects. Our MSc programmes prepare students for a range of careers in the financial services sector, as can be seen in the  Department of Finance Employment Report .

Each year a number of graduates are accepted into top PhD programmes in the UK, US and Europe. Some students choose to take a pre-doctoral research position after graduation and commence a PhD later. Students considering the PhD route will be able to discuss this with the Associate Programme Director and faculty members.

Selected institutions for PhD study (last 5 years)

Departmental Careers Support

The Department of Finance offers an in-depth Professional Development Programme for our students to help develop your skills and assist you in your job search. See the Professional Development Programme section on this page.

Graduate destinations

Graduates of the MSc Finance and Economics programme go on to work in challenging jobs in a variety of organisations around the world. Examples of the types of organisations include investment banks, central banks, economic and strategy consulting firms, professional services firms and financial boutiques.

In addition to the internationally recognised research environment and academic rigour of its teaching programmes, a great advantage of studying at LSE is the reputation it holds amongst employers for producing high level graduates. 

Selected employers over the past three years

Selected employment locations

LSE Careers

LSE Careers  has a worldwide reputation. It offers a wide range of resources and events to registered students and alumni. These include:

LSE Careers attracts top recruiters in many sectors, who actively target our students. It provides an LSE-exclusive vacancy board full of graduate positions, jobs for experienced hires, internships, voluntary and part-time work.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Alumni profiles

Find out  what some of our recent graduates have to say about the programme .

If you have any questions about the academic programme or admissions process please check our  frequently asked questions page , or contact the Department of Finance Admissions team at  [email protected] .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Hear from our recent students

Related Programmes

Msc finance (full-time).

Code(s) N3UA

MSc Economics

Code(s) L1U1

MSc Finance and Risk

Code(s) N4U3

MSc Economics and Management

Code(s) N2U5

MSc Finance and Private Equity

Code(s) N3UB

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Duration: 4 years full time

Institution code: R72

Campus: Egham

UK fees * : £4,786

International/EU fees ** : £19,700

The Department of Economics at Royal Holloway is one of the top economics departments in the country with a wide range of expertise, including labour economics, development economics, microeconomic theory, and experimental economics. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2014), we were ranked 9th in the UK in terms of world-leading and internationally excellent research.

The Department is home to about 30 research active staff and 30 PhD students from over 20 countries. We offer a stimulating research environment and a vibrant  PhD programme  with advanced economics training in the first year and a great placement record.

The PhD student community is relatively small, thereby ensuring a consistently high level of interaction between the students and academics. Our students benefit from advanced economics training in their first year and have an opportunity to present their ongoing research and receive feedback in our PhD seminar series.

From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Research facilities and environment

Our activities are organised around the department’s research centres which cover the main research areas in economics and multidisciplinary research that is conducted together with the departments of Computer Science and Psychology.

We organise weekly seminars with external speakers and advanced PhD students are encouraged to meet with our visitors. During the academic year we hold a PhD seminar and every spring we organise our Annual PhD conference where PhD students from other universities are invited to present and keynotes are given by prominent academics.

You will begin on the MPhil degree for the first two years and will need to meet certain requirements to progress – to upgrade - to PhD student status.

In your first year, you will have to take advanced economics training that provides skills and knowledge necessary to proceed to the independent research work (see  PhD Training Programme  for details). The PhD courses are taught by our own faculty, as well as by external experts. Additional training opportunities (such as external summer schools or workshops) can be funded by the Department according to individual students’ specific research needs. Finally,  generic research skills training  is provided at the College level. The remaining years of the programme are fully devoted to research.

Part of the training throughout the programme is attending internal and external seminar series. In addition, we run a PhD seminar series where students present their on-going research and receive feedback from their peers and the faculty.

The community is relatively small with about 30 students enrolled, thereby ensuring a consistently high level of interaction between the students and academics.

Entry requirements

Candidates for a place on the MPhil/PhD programme should have completed an undergraduate degree and a taught Masters in Economics, with a distinction or a high pass, in a relevant subject.

The department actively supports the placement of PhD graduates in positions at universities, research institutes, government agencies, and private corporations. Examples of recent placements include:

• Bristol University
• London School of Economics
• University of Stirling
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• Max Planck Institute, Germany
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Institute for Employment Studies.

For more information about placements see the  PhD Job Market .

Fees & funding

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £4,786

EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £19,700

Other essential costs***: There are no additonal costs greater than £50 per item.

…How do I pay for it? Find out more about   funding options,   including loans, grants,   scholarships   and bursaries. 

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2024/25.

* Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home   tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry.   For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the   UKRI website.

** This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2024/25.   

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. For further information, please see our  terms and conditions .

***   These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2024/25 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included. 

Explore Royal Holloway

Scholarships

Get help paying for your studies at Royal Holloway through a range of scholarships and bursaries.

Clubs and societies

There are lots of exciting ways to get involved at Royal Holloway. Discover new interests and enjoy existing ones.

Heading to university is exciting. Finding the right place to live will get you off to a good start.

Whether you need support with your health or practical advice on budgeting or finding part-time work, we can help.

Discover more about our academic departments and schools.

Research Excellence Framework

Find out why Royal Holloway is in the top 25% of UK universities for research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Challenge-led research themes

Royal Holloway is a research intensive university and our academics collaborate across disciplines to achieve excellence.

Discover world-class research at Royal Holloway.

Discover more about who we are today, and our vision for the future.

Royal Holloway began as two pioneering colleges for the education of women in the 19th century, and their spirit lives on today.

We’ve played a role in thousands of careers, some of them particularly remarkable.

Find about our decision-making processes and the people who lead and manage Royal Holloway today.