A three-year BSc, VL31
Delivered by the Department of Economic History; LSE says it uses economic theory and methods to understand the historical development of economies.
Undergraduate · LSE Economics and Economic History
LSE Economics and Economic History: the version that needs Mathematics
LSE teaches two economic-history-led degrees from the same department, and the entry rule is how they differ: Economic History requires Economics or History, while Economics and Economic History also requires an A in Mathematics. This is the only joint economics and economic history degree LSE currently lists, and its title is exactly that; other names for it are not current degrees.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What LSE asks for in Economics and Economic History
Taken from LSE's BSc Economics and Economic History programme page and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; LSE's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAA with Economics or History and an A in Mathematics
The standard A-level requirement is AAA including Economics or History and an A in Mathematics; the contextual offer is AAB. The IB requirement is 38 points with 766 at higher level including Mathematics.
A large specialist department
LSE says it has one of the largest groups of economic historians in the world.
A dissertation
The final year includes a dissertation in economic or social history.
No test or interview listed
The page lists no additional admissions test or interview, so this guide states none.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on LSE's BSc Economics and Economic History programme page, which describes 2027 entry. LSE's general entry requirements, the fees pages and the 2028-entry values were not read, the older Economic History with Economics regulations were not described, and the page lists no additional admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The degree
Economic theory, tested against history
LSE says the programme explores why some countries are rich and others poor, what forces shape inequality and what historical evidence can tell us about economic crises. Students apply economic theory and methods to the historical development of economies, and use real-world historical evidence to deepen their understanding of economic concepts and of research methods, including analysing primary sources.
Which of the two?
Economics and Economic History against Economic History
Both are taught by the Department of Economic History on the same AAA standard; the subject rule is the sharpest difference.
Choose Economics and Economic History if
you have A-level Mathematics and want economic theory and methods to carry more of the degree.
Choose Economic History if
you have Economics or History without Mathematics. Avandy's LSE Economic History guide covers it.
Choose Economics if
you want theory and mathematics without the historical angle. Avandy's LSE Economics guide covers it.
Entry rules
Economics or History, plus an A in Mathematics
The standard A-level requirement is AAA including Economics or History and an A in Mathematics; the contextual offer is AAB. The IB requirement is 38 points overall with 766 in higher level subjects including Economics or History, and Mathematics. The page lists no additional test or interview. This page states no scores.
A note on degree names
One current degree, not several
LSE's programme finder lists BSc Economics and Economic History among its current economic history degrees. Other title orders, such as Economics with Economic History, do not appear as current undergraduate programmes there, and LSE's department handbook records that new admissions to Economic History with Economics ended in 2020-21. This guide therefore covers the one current degree.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not LSE's.
Do you have A-level Mathematics at grade A?
It is required here and not for Economic History.
Do you want economics to lead?
Economic theory and methods are applied to history.
Does a dissertation in economic or social history appeal?
It is part of the final year.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules LSE has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means LSE published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means LSE has not yet published it.
Grades, subject requirements and the subject-mix guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. LSE has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check LSE's programme page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the programme's course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the London School of Economics and Political Science or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does LSE Economics and Economic History require?
AAA including Economics or History and an A in Mathematics, or IB 38 with 766 at higher level including Mathematics, in LSE's wording for 2027 entry.
How does it differ from Economic History?
It also requires Mathematics; Economic History requires Economics or History only.
Is there a degree called Economics with Economic History?
Not as a current undergraduate programme in LSE's finder; the current joint degree is Economics and Economic History.
Is there a dissertation?
Yes. The final year includes a dissertation in economic or social history.
Is there an admissions test or interview?
The page lists none, so this guide states none.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are LSE's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the programme page again when LSE publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about LSE Economics and Economic History
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Mathematics and Economics or History, their appetite for historical evidence and how this degree compares with Economics, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.