PhD Routes and Coursework Requirement
A PhD in Economics from the LSE consists of two years of coursework, followed by a thesis which is expected to take either two or
(more usually) three years. The coursework requirement involves accumulating six credits; three for PhD-level core courses in microeconomics,
macroeconomics and econometrics, two for field courses and the sixth by writing a supervised research paper. The table below illustrates the
alternative routes by which coursework credits 1-6 can be accumulated, and the Masters qualifications awarded en route.
MRes/PhD Direct Entry (Track 1)
The route currently followed by two thirds of our PhD students, involves direct entry to the MRes/PhD. Students following this
route take the three PhD-level core subjects in year one and, subject to meeting progression requirements, take their major field course
and the research paper in year two. An MRes in Economics is awarded at the end of year two. The sixth coursework requirement
(the minor field) is taken in year 3 but may, with permission, be brought forward to year 2.
MSc + MRes/PhD (Track 2)
The route followed by one third of our PhD students involves taking the MSc Economics or the MSc Econometrics & Mathematical
Economics in the first year.
The MSc Economics comprises three core courses and one field course. Students following this route accrue a credit
for their field course. Students on the MSc Econometrics & Mathematical Economics accrue a credit for their compulsory
econometrics paper and any MRes core course taken as part of their MSc.
Subject to meeting progression requirements (see below), students following this route then join the MRes/PhD programme.
Four credits are accumulated in this second year. MSc Economics students carrying one credit (the MSc field course) must take all
three PhD-level core courses and the supervised research paper. MSc Econometrics students carrying a credit for their econometrics
paper will take the remaining two PhD-level core courses, a PhD-level field course, and the supervised research paper.
Students who pass all of the second year courses are awarded an MRes in Economics and those who meet the
progression standard are upgraded to PhD registration from year three. Once upgraded, students focus on research and thesis writing.
Students with five accumulated credits at this point are also required to complete the sixth credit requirement by taking a PhD-level field course.
MSc Economics + MRes/PhD Track 2
MSc Econometrics & Mathematical Economics + MRes/PhD Track 2
Registration Details
Irrespective of the route followed, students are registered at each stage for the next degree they are working towards.
Thus, students aiming at an MSc Economics (Research) degree at the end of year one will be registered as MSc Economics (Research) students
and, subject to progression, will transfer to MRes registration in their second year. Students on direct entry to the MRes/PhD will be
registered as MRes students in both years of the taught programme.
Progression Requirements
Both routes demand a high and similar level of attainment for progression at the end of years 1 & 2. This progression
level corresponds approximately to being placed in the top quarter of the MSc Economics class in most years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the advantages of the alternative routes?
For many students, taking an MSc in year one is the appropriate and wiser route; the MScs are long-established and highly prestigious degrees in their own right. Only students with an unusually strong background in core subjects will be well-placed in tackling three core subjects at the PhD level in year one of the direct entry route.
Q. How does this programme differ from the standard U.S. and European programmes?
A. The two year coursework requirement is a standard feature of U.S. programmes, and it is usual for leading U.S. departments to require students to complete the full two years, even if they already hold a Masters degree. Many European departments have a more limited coursework requirement.
The LSE system is a flexible one, which integrates the PhD programme with our highly prestigious MSc programmes. Some students take 'cores in year one, fields in year two', a common sequence in U.S. schools; others accumulate the required course credits in a different sequence. Following the MSc programme does not 'add a year' to the coursework requirement, as either one or two course credits are gained by students following the MSc programme in year one and the remaining credits required for upgrade to PhD registration are accumulated in year two.
Our system allows, for example, a student who does not initially plan to do a PhD to enter the MSc programme, and to decide during the year to apply to continue for a PhD. Such a student will be allowed to proceed, subject to meeting the progression requirement (as specified above). MSc students are in essence granted conditional offers onto the PhD. The student will have accumulated either one or two credits, and can take four credits in the following year.
Q. What if I already have a postgraduate qualification?
A. Entry into year 2 of the MSc + MRes/PhD route (MRes/PhD Track2) is possible, but this is offered to only a very few applicants who can demonstrate exceptional performance on an appropriate postgraduate programme in economics. Most applicants with a postgraduate qualification will be required to start the programme from year one of either the MSc + MRes/PhD route, or from year one of the direct entry MRes/PhD route.
Last updated: 19/03/2010
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