Diploma in Economics

Overview
Structure
Study materials
Fees
Assessment
Requirements
Leaders

Is this programme for me?

The Diploma in Economics is a qualification in its own right. It also provides an entry route to all LSE-led degrees we offer if you do not meet our degree entrance requirements. By successfully completing the programme you will develop analytical competence allowing you to undertake further undergraduate study. The Diploma is a taught programme and must be studied at a recognised Diploma-teaching institution listed in our Directory of Institutions.

Key dates
Application deadline	You must apply directly to the Diploma-teaching institution. Please contact them for their application deadline.
Registration deadline	31 October
Examinations take place	May/June

Programme structure and estimated study hours

The Diploma consists of four full courses (or the equivalent). You have between 1-5 years to complete the programme, although it is usually taken over one year. You are expected to study for 35 hours per week, including lectures and tutorials.

Prestige

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) provides academic direction for this programme. LSE is regarded as an international centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences.

Transfer

Several universities in the UK, including LSE and other University of London Colleges, will consider you for entry into the second year of a degree. You will need to have passed syllabuses similar to those taken at the Colleges concerned and to have achieved very high marks.

How you study

Our programmes allow you to obtain a prestigious degree or other qualification at a reasonable cost.

You can choose to study independently or, where available, pay for additional educational support at a local institution to benefit from face-to-face tutorial support and the opportunity to interact with fellow students in person.

If you want to study either the Diploma in Economics or the Diploma in Social Sciences must first enrol at an institution recognised by the University for teaching the specific Diploma.

Study materials

The specially written study materials are developed by academics appointed by LSE. They guide you through the textbooks which are the real focus of your study. The cost of your study pack is included in your initial and continuing registration fees. Study materials include:

a Student handbook containing practical information and advice such as how to enter for exams
Strategies for success which provides help with study techniques
a Subject guide for each course, designed to guide you through the syllabus and offer advice on how to use textbooks in an organised and productive manner. Partial versions of EMFSS subject guides are available to view
past exam papers and Examiners' commentaries which are updated annually and available to download. These provide an insight into how questions should have been tackled and outline common mistakes made by students in the past. Copies of the most recent exam papers and Examiners’ commentaries are available for reference on our website, see EMFSS past exam papers. A fuller back catalogue is available for all registered students through the VLE.

Online support

When you register we will send you a username and password giving you access to the Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and two other key online resources:

The virtual learning environment (VLE)

The online virtual learning environment (VLE) provides electronic copies of all printed study materials. There are also forums that allow you to share interests and experience, and to work collaboratively with other students to solve problems and discuss subject material.

Online support materials are being developed continuously and for some courses audio-visual tutorials, recorded lectures, academic interviews and debates are available, along with self-testing activities and expert study skills advice.

The Online Library

The Online Library holds thousands of journal articles which you can access free of charge. A dedicated helpdesk is available if you have any difficulties in finding what you need.

Optional courses held at LSE in London

The LSE Summer School is held annually, usually from early July to mid-August. It offers a range of stimulating and challenging courses, allowing you to undertake a period of intensive study in areas of interest.

Fees

The fees below relate to the 2013-2014 session and are subject to annual review.

Academic session	2013-2014
Registration fee	£ 675
Examination fee for four full courses	£ 565
Other fees (as applicable)
Continuing registration fee	£ 330
Additional registration fee if you choose a law course (per course)	£ 44









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When to pay

Applications are made direct to the teaching institution so contact your chosen teaching institution in good time to ask for their closing date for receiving applications.

The registration fee is payable to the University when you register. The closing date for registrations is 31 October.

The examination fee is payable when you choose to enter an examination. Examinations take place in May or June each year and examination entries are accepted between 30 November and the examination entry closing date, 1 February.

The examination fee given above is for four full courses taken in the same year. Different fees apply if you choose to enter the examination for fewer than four full course in one session.

The continuing registration fee is payable in the second and subsequent years of registration at the time when you confirm the courses that you will be registered for during that year. It is payable if you progress to a BSc degree or if you continue on the Diploma. The continuing registration fee is effective between 1 March and 30 November.

How to pay

All University fees must be paid in pounds sterling (GBP). The University accepts:

Western Union - Quick Pay
Credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Electron, JCB)
Sterling banker's draft/cheque
International money/postal order

Further details are given in payment methods.

Other costs

In addition to the fees payable to the University, you should also budget for:

textbooks (this may well be in the region of £300 per year)
tuition costs (if studying at a teaching institution)
LSE Summer School (optional)
the fee charged by your local examination centre to cover its costs; this fee will vary.

Note

Fees are subject to annual review and the University reserves the right to amend previously announced fees, if necessary. For a full list fees that may be applicable, please see the fee schedule.

LSE academic leadership

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of the Colleges of the University of London and a world-leading social science institution. Academics from LSE provide the academic direction for this programme.

Since its foundation in 1895, LSE has been regarded as an international centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences. Its teaching and research is recognised worldwide as a benchmark of quality.

The School’s academic profile spans the broad range of social sciences – disciplines that reflect how we interact with one another and with society. LSE is an institution renowned for focusing on ‘real world’ issues. Current areas of research and expertise include globalisation, human rights, risk and business management, new communications technologies, urban and regional policies, and new forms of governance.

LSE alumni and former staff include 16 Nobel prize winners and 34 past or present heads of state. LSE academics come from all over the world and from many social, educational and ethnic backgrounds. They are in constant demand as commentators and analysts in the media, act as advisors to governments, and are seconded to national and international organisations.

Academic leaders

Dr Keith Sharp: Programme director

Keith has 20 years experience of working in British universities, including Coventry University, De Montfort University and the University of Gloucestershire, where he was dean of faculty and associate pro-vice-chancellor. In 2009-10 he spent a year as head of the UK HE International Unit based at Universities UK.

Keith is very familiar with the area of international partnerships and transnational education. Partnerships and internationalisation formed part of his remit at De Montfort and Gloucestershire. In his position as head of the UK Higher Education International Unit, he was regularly consulted by universities for advice on their international strategies, including international marketing. More recently, he has been acting as a consultant to a number of public and private sector HE institutions on various aspects of their international marketing and recruitment strategies.

Keith took his undergraduate degree at LSE between 1984-87 and graduated with a first in sociology, as well as being awarded the Hobhouse Memorial Prize. Further details of the University of London International Programmes at LSE team can be found on the Who's who page on the LSE website.

Diploma in Economics