Overview

The Local Economic Development programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science provides a rigorous academic framework for understanding how global economic shifts impact regional and urban environments. Students explore the complex interactions between private and public sectors to drive meaningful territorial change. This specialist curriculum prepares graduates to design and deliver effective strategies for inclusive growth in diverse global contexts.

Why Local Economic Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science?

The department is highly regarded on a global scale, currently ranked second in the world for Geography. Students benefit from being taught by a premier research group where faculty members are among the most cited researchers globally. The programme maintains a strong practical focus, engaging with current public policy debates and drawing on the faculty's experience with organisations like the World Bank and the OECD.

Affiliated with the Institute for Economic Development, the course offers a unique social science perspective within the heart of London. The interdisciplinary environment connects students with various research centres, including the Centre for Economic Performance and the What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth. This ensures that the teaching is always informed by the latest evidence-based policy and academic theory.

Careers with Local Economic Development

Graduates from this programme often secure influential roles within the United Nations system, including the UNDP and ILO. Many alumni also pursue careers within the World Bank, the European Union, and various national or regional government bodies. The specialist skills acquired are highly valued by international consultancies, non-governmental organisations, and global research centres.

Common employment sectors for graduates include government and public policy, financial services, and real estate. Additionally, many students transition into professional roles within environmental energy and technical activities. The programme also serves as a strong foundation for those wishing to progress into doctoral research at leading universities worldwide.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Inclusive Growth

Globalisation and territorial development: Theory, Evidence and Policy

Economics of Local and Regional Development

Regional Development and Policy

Local Capacity and Economic Development Policy

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-29 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

5.5

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IELTS

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

London, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Economics Sustainable Development View 347 other Masters in Economics in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

5.5

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in social science (in the past mostly economics, development, sociology, geography, international relations and political science).
Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

30400 GBP / year

≈ 30400 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

19300 GBP / year

≈ 19300 GBP / year

Living costs

London

United Kingdom

1137 - 2157 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

The School recognizes 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.Find out more about financial support.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Local Economic Development.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Careers with Local Economic Development

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

London

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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