How long is the MSc in Economic Research Methods?

The MSc in Economic Research Methods runs one year full-time or two years part-time. Part-time routes for the MSc in Economic Research Methods are especially popular with working professionals.

In what modes can I study the MSc in Economic Research Methods?

The MSc in Economic Research Methods is delivered on-campus in central London, live online, and by distance learning. All three modes of the MSc in Economic Research Methods close with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project.

Is the MSc in Economic Research Methods UK-recognised?

Yes. The MSc in Economic Research Methods is a UK Level 7 research-informed Master's degree aligned with Royal Economic Society and Government Economic Service-informed themes.

What are the entry requirements for the MSc in Economic Research Methods?

Applicants to the MSc in Economic Research Methods need a Bachelor's at 2:2 or above in economics or a quantitative discipline, IELTS 6.5 for non-native speakers, references and a 500-word research proposal.

How much does the MSc in Economic Research Methods cost and is funding available?

Tuition for the MSc in Economic Research Methods is confirmed in your written offer. Fee-in-instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarship guidance are supported.

MSc in Economic Research Methods | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MSc in Economic Research Methods is a UK Level 7 research-informed Master's degree running one year full-time or two years part-time, calibrated to the applied and quantitative research standards used across the Government Economic Service (GES), the IFS, NIESR, the Bank of England and the City. Delivered on-campus, online and by distance learning, the programme is deliberately methods-heavy and closes with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project.

By dissertation stage you will be running your own econometric models on real data, drafting a full research paper with structured methods and robustness annexes, and defending it in front of a panel drawn from practising economists and research supervisors.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with Royal Economic Society (RES), Society of Professional Economists (SPE) and Government Economic Service (GES) themes.
Applied econometrics modules using Stata, R and Python.
Research-design modules covering causal inference, panel and time-series methods.
Weekly seminars in the case-room tradition with named programme-tutor support.
Dissertation or sponsor consulting project supervised by a practising economist.
Central London base within reach of the IFS, NIESR, the Bank of England and the City.

What You Will Learn

Advanced regression analysis including OLS, GLS and generalised linear models.
Panel-data methods including fixed effects, random effects and dynamic models.
Time-series methods including cointegration, VAR and structural modelling.
Causal inference including instrumental variables, RD, DiD and synthetic controls.
Applied research design under Government Economic Service quality standards.
Reproducible research practice with structured code, versioning and documentation.
Applied publication craft including structuring a full research paper with robustness annexes.
How to defend a full research paper in a peer-review-style panel.

Who This Course Is For

Working economists deepening research-methods credentials.
Analysts in think tanks and regulators moving toward research-grade work.
Applicants preparing for a PhD in economics or a research-track civil-service career.
International applicants targeting UK research economist careers.
Consulting economists needing formal quantitative-methods credentials.

Career Pathways

Research Economist at the IFS, NIESR or a departmental research team
Econometrician on a City or consulting desk
Government Economist on a Government Economic Service track
Central Bank Analyst on a research team
Economic Consultant supporting quantitative mandates
Financial Economist in a City research team
Regulatory Economist supporting quantitative impact assessments

The LSLPE careers service supports Master's students with dissertation-to-publication guidance, PhD application coaching and warm introductions to research recruiters. Dissertations, capstones and sponsor projects are supervised by practising barristers, policy advisers and City economists.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification in economics or a quantitative discipline.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Applicants without a Bachelor's degree but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in economics, finance or public policy are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference.
A 500-word research proposal outlining your methods focus.

Why Study at LSLPE

The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches economic research methods as an applied discipline in small, tutor-visible cohorts. Central London places the IFS, NIESR, the Bank of England, the Treasury and the City research desks within a short tube ride, which matters for a Master's whose seminar guests and supervisors are drawn from those institutions.

The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment each year against Royal Economic Society and Government Economic Service-informed guidance.

Apply for MSc in Economic Research Methods

Applications for the MSc in Economic Research Methods are reviewed on a rolling basis. Enrol on an LSLPE Master's programme with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising economists. Enrol Now