BSc in Political Economy
Course Overview
The BSc in Political Economy is a three-year UK Level 6 honours degree, with part-time and accelerated routes, that trains graduates to apply formal economic tools to institutional and political questions. The syllabus is aligned with the applied competencies referenced by the Royal Economic Society, the Government Economic Service and the research programmes of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, NIESR and Chatham House.
By graduation you will have built econometric models on policy datasets, produced fiscal and public choice case studies, drafted policy analysis briefs, completed a year-two placement in a government department, think tank or research institute, and finished a final-year dissertation.
Key Features
- Aligned with Royal Economic Society, GES and Chatham House research programmes.
- Formal micro and macro tools applied to institutional questions.
- Applied econometrics in Stata and R using UK and cross-national datasets.
- Placement year in a government department, think tank or research institute.
- Weekly case-room seminars in the select-committee tradition.
- Practitioner sessions from IFS, NIESR, Treasury and Bank of England alumni.
- Three parallel study modes: on-campus, live online and distance.
What You Will Learn
- Apply micro and macro theory to political-economy questions.
- Build linear and non-linear regression models in Stata or R.
- Interpret ONS, HMRC, DWP and OBR data releases.
- Analyse public choice, rent-seeking and regulatory politics.
- Draft policy analysis briefs and Green Book impact appraisals.
- Evaluate distributional effects of a policy reform.
- Present findings in the select-committee case-room format.
- Complete a final-year dissertation of 8,000 to 10,000 words.
Who This Course Is For
- A-level and Access to HE applicants targeting policy and research careers.
- Working analysts wanting an honours qualification with institutional depth.
- Public sector staff progressing to graduate-level economist roles.
- International applicants seeking a UK-recognised BSc.
- Career changers moving into political-economy analysis.
Career Pathways
- Government Economist on the GES fast stream.
- Economic Policy Analyst at a think tank or NGO.
- Research Economist supporting IFS or NIESR-style programmes.
- Regulatory Economist at a UK regulator.
- Public Finance Analyst in a CIPFA-aligned team.
- Economic Consultant at a specialist firm.
- Behavioural Economist supporting policy trials.
- Investment Analyst in the City.
The LSLPE careers service maintains standing introductions to Treasury, GES, IFS, think tank and City recruiters.
Entry Requirements
- A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or above, ideally including Mathematics, OR a UK Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
- GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 5/C (or equivalent).
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
- Two academic references and a personal statement.
- International applicants receive dedicated visa and accommodation support from LSLPE admissions.
Why Study at LSLPE
LSLPE places the BSc in Political Economy within a short tube ride of the Treasury, the Bank of England, Chatham House, the IFS and the LSE-adjacent think tank ecosystem. That geography anchors the degree in live UK political-economy research rather than in textbook cases alone.
Every intake joins the same weekly case-room seminar with a named tutor. The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment annually against Royal Economic Society and Political Studies Association guidance so graduates step into UK policy and research work with a current, credible skill set.
Apply for BSc in Political Economy
The BSc in Political Economy is the honours foundation for an evidence-led career at the intersection of economics and politics. Apply for the LSLPE Bachelor's programme, placement year in chambers, government or a think tank included, admissions responds within one working day. Enrol Now.
