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Studying at LSE
This programme is based in the Department of Geography and Environment| and offers the following benefits:
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Study in a world-leading department in the socio-economic and institutional aspects of regional and local economic development, situated in the only UK university devoted solely to the social sciences.
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Our master's programmes all focus on developing graduates' abilities to integrate theoretical developments with practical experience.
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This programme draws upon the expertise of a group of LSE researchers who are key contributors to research and practice on regional and local economic development. We also invite regular contributions from external practitioners.
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In addition to gaining the MSc you will also have access to the Institution of Economic Development, the leading UK organisation for economic development practitioners.
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Previous graduates are mainly working in international organisations (UN system [including ILO, UNDP, FAO], World Bank, OECD, European Union, World Trade Conference), national and regional governments, international consultancy, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), research centres and universities. If you are interested in what previous students are doing, you can take a look at the programme's newsletter, The local (dev)eloper (www.lse.ac.uk/collections/geographyAndEnvironment/study/graduateProgrammes/LED/MScLocalEconomicDevelopment.htm)
About the MSc programme
As an interdisciplinary programme, applications from any field in the social sciences are welcome. In the past, the bulk of the student body has been made up by graduates in economics, development, sociology, geography, international relations and political science. In any case, we will expect applicants to have very good grades in their first degrees. A high score in the GRE test or in the GMAT test within five years before your application will be considered a strong asset.
This MSc will be relevant if you wish to build on your undergraduate degree to develop specific skills and an understanding of local and regional economic development. We also welcome managers of local economic and regional development institutions who wish to widen and deepen their existing knowledge. The MSc is also an ideal starting point for a career in research in economic development.
In recent years, rapid changes in technology and information, industrial restructuring and integration have been radically realigning production structures. There has also been a drive towards the globalisation of the world economy. World trade has expanded at twice the rate of output and national governments have been rethinking their protectionist policies to participate in the new global markets. In this context, local and regional economies increasingly need new responses and demand specialist skills to work with the change, and exploit the opportunities it offers.
This programme focuses on the variety of ways in which local and regional agencies can work with the private sector in order to stimulate local economies. You will also develop an understanding of the local, national and international trends in business organisation, and a knowledge of the variety of local agents involved. The course emphasises management issues of local capacity building, attracting investment, network building, infrastructure, human resources, and focuses as well on the rationale and impact of regional and local development policies and on the role of institutions.
Compulsory courses
(* half unit)
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