Course summary

The MSc in International Political Economy (IPE) at Queen’s University Belfast provides students with an advanced understanding of the interrelationship between economics and politics at the global, national, and sub-national levels. This programme equips students with the analytical tools to examine how the global economy functions, is governed, and could be transformed in response to contemporary challenges. The course has three core aims: 1. To develop students’ empirical knowledge of the key dynamics shaping the global economy, from trade and finance to climate change and technological transformation. 2. To enable students to critically engage with a range of theoretical perspectives on global economic governance and power relations. 3. To cultivate a critical and reflexive approach to the global economy, encouraging students to challenge dominant assumptions, explore alternative economic models, and consider existential risks facing humanity and the environment. Grounded in Queen’s commitment to research-intensive and research-led teaching and aligned with its 2030 Vision of ‘Shaping a Better World’, this programme is delivered by leading scholars engaged in cutting-edge research. Students will explore pressing global issues, including (de)globalisation, international trade, economic inequality, financial crises, climate and energy transitions, and the contested nature of global governance. The MSc in IPE offers a transformative educational experience, preparing students for a range of careers in international organisations, government agencies, NGOs, think tanks, consultancy, and the private sector. The programme fosters not only subject expertise but also critical thinking, policy analysis, and research skills that are highly valued in today’s interconnected world.