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Global Political Economy at City, University of London - UCAS

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2023 - 20242024 - 2025
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Course summary

The Global Political Economy MA will help you broaden your understanding of the complex contemporary global economic system and its socio-political relationships. The course is designed for inquisitive students that want to develop a cutting-edge perspective on global economic and financial relations, inter-state competition, mechanisms of global governance and processes of transformation and change. You don’t need any formal economics education for this course. Students come from a wide range of subject fields, including Politics, Law, Business Studies, Media Studies, the Humanities and more. From global inequality and tax evasion to financial regulation and financial crises, the expertise that you develop on this advanced MA will enable you to pursue a wide range of rewarding career options in the public and private sectors. The Global Political Economy MA will help you:

  • Get an advanced specialist education in the field of global political economy.
  • Develop your analytical skills and the ability to examine and critically evaluate the complex structure of relationships between markets, governments, transnational actors and networks in the setting of the globalising economy.
  • Acquire an advanced conceptualisation of the problems of global capitalism in the 21st century.
  • Critically examine rapid economic change and its socio-political roots in the contemporary world.
  • Analyse and articulate your analysis of complex issues and debates to a high level.
  • Prepare for a diverse range of careers and develop contextual knowledge that will be applicable for life-long learning in a rapidly changing economic environment.

Modules

The structure of this MA includes both compulsory and optional modules to combine optimal training in the fields of diplomacy and foreign policy and significant student choice. You may then choose from a wide range of modules offered by the Department of Sociology and Criminology and The City Law School. Students complete a total of 180 credits: Core (30 credits), Optional modules (90 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits). There are two core modules:

  • Global Capitalism: Past, Present, Future (15 credits)
This course traces the evolution of global capitalism from its structure in the interwar era to its present-day globalising tendencies. It focuses on three interrelated themes: the internationalisation of production, the globalisation of finance and the changing nature of political authority, or the state
  • Theories of Global Political Economy
This module provides a conceptual and theoretical introduction into the field of (global) political economy. It surveys the three main traditions of scholarship in political economy (mainstream, institutionalist and Marxist), and allows you to critically engage with different schools of thought on the evolution of capitalism.
  • Dissertation (60 credits)
You are required to submit a dissertation of 15,000 words. The dissertation is worth 60 credits (one-third of your overall mark). You will start work on the project in the second term, with a research workshop, which will help you develop the necessary skills for undertaking independent research. In the summer term, you will work full time on completing the final dissertation, which will be due by the end of September. The dissertation offers you the opportunity to reflect on and communicate knowledge gained through research and allows you to complement your module work by writing on a topic relevant to your specific interests. After exploring the key concepts and theoretical frameworks, you will explore different approaches to economic diplomacy among major industrialised economies, regional organisations such as the EU, emerging markets like China, India and Brazil, and developing countries. You will critically analyse economic diplomacy in key areas of the world economy such as trade policy, climate change, financial regulation, sovereign debt management, foreign aid, and exchange rate adjustments. You will also evaluate the role played in the management of international economic affairs by non-state actors such multinational corporations and NGOs. Elective modules Typical modules offered by the Department of International Politics:
  • Understanding Security in the 21st Century (15 credits)
  • International Organisations in Global Politics (15 credits)
  • Cultural Logics of Contemporary Capitalism (15 credits)
  • Global Capitalism: Past, Present and Future (15 credits)
  • Political Economy of Global Finance (15 credits)
  • The Politics of Forced Migration (15 credits)
  • Global Governance (15 credits)
  • Global Financial Governance (15 credits)
  • Global Political Economy: Contemporary Approaches (15 credits)
  • Global Ethics: Principles, Power and Politics (15 credits)
  • Human Rights and the Transformation of World Politics (15 credits)
  • Russian Foreign Policy from Stalin to Putin (15 credits)
  • History of East Asia (15 credits)
  • Revolutions in Modern History (15 credits)
  • Visions of World Order: Ideas and Concepts in the History of International Thought (15 credits)
  • Strategy, Diplomacy and Decision-Making (15 credits)
  • Economic Diplomacy (15 credits)
  • Foreign Policy Analysis (15 credits)
  • International Law and the Global Economy (30 credits)
Typical modules offered by The City Law School:
  • International Tax Law (30 credits)
  • International Trade Law (30 credits)
  • Money Laundering Law (30 credits)
  • International Investment Law (30 credits)
- International Banking Law (30 credits)

Assessment method

At MA level, we do not use exams as forms of assessment. In your taught modules you will be assessed by coursework (100%); your final dissertation is worth 60 credits (1/3rd of your overall mark). Coursework for the two core 15 credit modules is a 3,000-word essay. Optional 15 credit modules are typically assessed by a 3,000-word essay. Many MA modules contain not only formative (formally assessed) coursework, but also summative assessments. These may take the form of presentations, book reviews, article reviews, and critical reflections on a set of theories, or short essays. As a rule, these types of work are due to be submitted at the end of the reflective learning week. You may expect feedback on formative assignments within two week of submission.

Entry requirements

You should have an upper second class honours degree or the equivalent from an international institution in social sciences, humanities, law, business studies or another related discipline. However, we will also consider applications from students with a degree in any other subject where applicants have gained significant professional experience in a related field of employment or research.No formal training in economics is required. If English is not your first language you will need the following qualification: - IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for each sub-test) OR - A first degree from a UK university or an overseas institution recognised by City as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions in Australia or the USA. All applicants that require a Student visa must meet the minimum Home Office English Language ability requirements before City can issue the Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) that is needed to apply for a Student visa.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £20300 Year 1
International £20300 Year 1
England £10794 Year 1
Scotland £10794 Year 1
Wales £10794 Year 1
Northern Ireland £10794 Year 1

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Global Political Economy at City, University of London - UCAS