LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition 2026: Prompts, Rubric, Awards & How to Enter
The LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition 2026, run in partnership with ASEEDER Education, invites students to answer one of five essay prompts written by LSE economics professors in 1,500 words, judged on a 100-point rubric. This is the official candidate guide: the 2026 prompts, the grading scale, the awards, the rules and the key dates, all in one place.
Key dates (2026)
| Competition opens | 1 June 2026 |
| Submissions due | 1 September 2026 |
| Results | November 2026 (tentative) |
| Word count | 1,500 words (excluding titles, subtitles and references) |
| Citation style | Harvard recommended (any consistent style accepted) |
| Format | Submit a PDF · body font 11–12 · Times New Roman or Arial |
The 2026 essay prompts
Each prompt is set by a professor in the LSE Department of Economics, who reads the top five submissions on their prompt and decides the prompt winners and runners-up. You answer exactly one prompt.
| Prompt | The question |
|---|---|
| 1 · Prof. Sir Christopher Pissarides Labour |
Evidence shows that workers like work from home, say one day a week, but they hate monitoring devices that the firm might use to see how they allocate their time during the home day. What should the firm do, if it wants to motivate its workers by giving them something they like, but at the same time ensure it gets its money’s worth during working hours? |
| 2 · Prof. Ricardo Reis Policy |
Following a sharp rise in UK energy prices, prepare a brief for a central bank on how monetary policy should respond. Take into account that the UK is a net importer of energy, and that the Bank of England has a mandate of keeping inflation steady at 2%. |
| 3 · Prof. Silvana Tenreyro Technology |
Suppose AI reduces the number of people needed to perform a large fraction of jobs, threatening to cause high unemployment. What measures should be put in place to limit inequality in pay (and, ideally, also in hours worked)? |
| 4 · Prof. John van Reenen Inequality |
Is it possible and desirable to raise taxation on the top 1%? |
| 5 · Prof. Michael Gmeiner Environment |
How will development and adoption of climate-friendly technologies affect inequality and the distribution of wealth? |
How your essay is scored: the 100-point rubric
Essays are marked out of 100 across seven criteria. Argument and originality carries the most weight, so a fresh, well-reasoned thesis matters more than anything else.
| Criterion | Marks | What it rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Argument & originality | 25 | A well-articulated, logically consistent, innovative argument that goes beyond textbook answers |
| Application of theory | 20 | Relevant economic models, frameworks and concepts used correctly and effectively |
| Evidence & example | 15 | Claims supported by empirical studies, historical examples, case studies or credible data |
| Critical analysis & evaluation | 15 | Engagement with opposing views, trade-offs and counterarguments |
| Structure & clarity | 10 | A logically structured essay with an effective introduction and conclusion, precise language |
| Citations & sources | 10 | High-quality sources, referenced correctly and consistently |
| Relevance to topic | 5 | Stays on topic and directly answers the question asked |
The grade scale
| Grade | Range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 70–100 | Rigorous, original argument informed by advanced theory and evidence; critically engages with competing views; wide reading and proper referencing |
| High Commendation | 55–69 | Coherent, mostly well-structured argument applying relevant concepts with some critical engagement |
| Commendation | 40–54 | Engages with the question but underdeveloped; descriptive rather than analytical; limited critical analysis |
| Participation | 0–40 | Does not address the question substantially; major errors or missing references |
Awards and prizes
| Award | Awardees | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| High Distinction | Top 5–10% | Certificate from LSESU Economics Society · eligibility for the Cambridge Economics Elite programme |
| Prompt Podium | 3 per prompt | Certificate signed by the Society and the adjudicating professor |
| Prompt Winner | 1 per prompt | Signed certificate · £50 Amazon gift card |
| Overall Winner | 1 across all entries | Signed certificate · £100 Amazon gift card |
| LSE Offer Holder Winner | 1 LSE offer holder | Certificate signed by LSESU Economics Society and LSE’s Head of the Department of Economics · £100 Amazon gift card |
Every candidate receives a mark out of 100, so you can see how your essay performed on an objective scale even without an award. Note that, due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback is not provided and decisions are final.
The rules that matter
- Word count: 1,500 words, excluding titles, subtitles and references. Stay within it.
- One prompt: answer exactly one of the five questions and focus on it.
- Citations: Harvard is recommended (per LSE conventions); any style is fine if used consistently, with high-quality academic and institutional sources.
- Formatting: submit a PDF, body font 11–12, a professional font (Times New Roman or Arial); label any figures or diagrams and refer to them.
- AI & plagiarism: AI-generated content and plagiarism are strictly forbidden. All essays are screened, and breaches are disqualified. Do genuine, human work — your own reading, your own argument, your own voice.
How to write a strong entry
The rubric points the way. Provide a well-reasoned, original and empirically valid argument; weigh it against counterpoints; keep the structure and language clear; and reference professional sources consistently. The Society provides recommended reading materials to help you start thinking about your chosen prompt — but be warned: an essay that merely reviews those materials will not score highly. Use them as a starting point, then build your own analysis.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 competition open and close?
The competition opens 1 June 2026 (the five questions are published) and submissions are due 1 September 2026, with results tentatively in November 2026. Confirm the live dates on the official channels.
How long should the essay be?
1,500 words, excluding titles, subtitles and references. Answer exactly one of the five set prompts.
How is the essay graded?
Out of 100 across seven criteria, with Argument and originality worth the most (25 marks). Grades range from Participation (0–40) to Distinction (70–100).
Are AI tools allowed?
No. AI-generated content and plagiarism are strictly forbidden; all essays are screened and breaches disqualified. Write the essay yourself and reference your sources properly.
How do students in China and Asia enter?
Through the Society’s official page or through ASEEDER, the regional partner. Both routes reach the same LSE-linked judging.
Filed under2026 Season · Essay Prompts · Rubric
This site is the LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition editorial desk operated jointly by Hanlin Education and ASEEDER — the official partner for China and Asia since 2017. The dates, prompts and rubric on this page reproduce the official 2026 candidate guide; always confirm the live details on lsesuesec.org or by emailing Economics@LSESU.org. Confirmed errors are corrected within 7 working days.