Short Courses in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences (EMFSS)
Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences (EMFSS) is a set of degrees and diplomas awarded by the University of London through the University of London International Programmes, with academic direction provided by The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
More than 90 courses available on EMFSS programmes are available as short courses.
A short course is an individual course for which you can apply to register without being registered for a full degree or diploma programme, or in addition to your degree or Diploma for Graduates if you are already registered for one.
You will receive a certificate of registration when you register, and a Certificate of Achievement if you pass the examination.
You can apply to take short courses at any time during the year but your application must be received before the deadline (17 September if you reside outside the EU or 17 October is you reside within the EU) to meet the registration deadline (30 November) for sitting examinations at the first opportunity in May/June of the following year.
The EMFSS Programme Regulations for Short Courses will be available from August 2009.
Are short courses for me?
You can take short courses to enhance your skills or professional knowledge, or to satisfy the accreditation requirements of a university or professional body, or simply to study certain subjects in which you are interested.
If you satisfy the entry requirements you can take a short course without registering for a degree or diploma programme. For example you can use a short course to get a taste of the subject, without having to commit yourself to a full programme. If you are currently taking a degree or Diploma for Graduates which does not include all the courses you need for professional accreditation, you can apply to take the additional short courses.
Prestige and standards
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) provides the academic direction for all EMFSS degrees, diplomas and short courses. LSE is one of the Colleges of the University of London and a world-leading social science institution.
Students taking short courses receive the same study materials, online facilities and support and take the same examinations as students taking the courses as part of EMFSS degree and diploma programmes.
Progression and credit
If, after completing a short course, you apply and are admitted to register for an EMFSS degree or Diploma for Graduates programme, you can obtain credit for the short course or courses you have taken, provided you apply within three years of completing the short course(s). Courses can only be credited if they are available on the relevant degree or Diploma for Graduates structure.
The maximum number of courses for which credit may be given is:
- eight full units (or equivalent) for degrees through the Standard Route
- six full units (or equivalent) for degrees through the Graduate Entry Route
- two full units (or equivalent) for the Diploma for Graduates.
Please see the Regulations for Short Courses [PDF: 70pgs, 1.5MB] for more detail.
Flexible study at a reasonable cost
You can apply for up to eight full courses (or the equivalent) in one year (one full course is equivalent to two half courses). If your application is accepted, you will be able to register for up to four courses (or the equivalent) in one year.
Assessment is by one written examination (four of the courses available require coursework) and examinations are held once a year in May/June, so you can complete a short course in one year if you wish.
Fees for 2010-11
The application handling fee for registered students is £32 for current EMFSS and £63 for all other applicants. A composite fee of £327 for each short course (£164 for a half course) covers registration for two years and one examination. If you don't pass the exam the first time you can retake it the following year (you will need to pay an additional fee to do this). Please visit Fees page for more information.
Summary of key dates
| Application deadline | 17 September (non-EU) 17 October (EU) in the year before you intend to sit your first exams |
| Registration deadline | 30 November in the year before you intend to sit your first exams |
| Despatch of study materials | Shortly after your registration form is received |
| Examination entry deadline | 1 February in the year you intend to sit your first exams |
| Examinations take place | May/June |