Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £12,250
Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
In recent years, interest in the relationship between international business and politics has increased. This programme sets out to explore concepts, approaches and methods from a truly interdisciplinary perspective and offers a rich and stimulating basis for postgraduate study. The degree offers a framework for exploring the changing relationship between states and markets, international institutions of global political-economic governance, transnational companies, work, geo-politics, industrialisation and development.
Throughout this programme you will develop advanced and critical understandings of the politics of international business from various intellectual perspectives, from neo-liberal and mainstream business studies approaches, through to more critical approaches which engage with questions of power and resistance.
You’ll be studying in one of the financial capitals of the world, home to a wealth of resources in and around the University such as the London Stock Exchange and the British Library. As part of this exciting course, you’ll be able to keep up to date with the latest changes in global politics and discuss them with like-minded peers in lively group sessions.
Structure
- Two compulsory taught modules
- Four elective taught modules
- One non-credit bearing optional academic skills module
- 12,000-word dissertation
Compulsory/Core modules
This module examines processes of economic "globalisation" and changes in international business over time. The focus is on the multinational firm in the context of trends in the world economy since the 1970s. It provides a critical and comparative perspective on the nature and scope of international business, theories of international trade and its regulation, and conceptualisations of global supply chains. It uses sector and country case studies to encourage an applied understanding of differentiated political-economic relationships, processes and outcomes.
The Masters' Dissertation is an independent programme of study of an approved topic within the field of Politics completed over the summer months (May-August) of your degree programme. It is a compulsory element of your degree amounting to sixty credits (providing one-third of the credits for your degree). It is designed to enable students to undertake independent research and, through this, allow them to develop a specialised knowledge in an area of the Politics discipline which is of particular interest to them. Thus, it may draw upon, and develop an existing topic or issue associated with a module that they have studied in the earlier part of their programme, or emerge out of a student's specific research interest in an area not covered by other module modules. Although the dissertation is meant to be an exercise in independent research and writing, each student will be offered guidance and support through the assigning of a supervisor within the department who will oversee the progress of the dissertation.
This module provides an introduction to the theoretical foundations of the contemporary analyses of advanced capitalism. How have thinkers within politics and economics theorised and analysed the relationship between the two disciplines? Is it even possible to analytically distinguish between the two? The aim of this module is to answer these two questions by reference to the major theories within the field of political economy. The module analyses both classical and contemporary theories of political economy, and explores their continued relevance to understanding the development of advanced capitalism. Towards the end of the module we will consider some heterodox approaches brought to the fore by the onset of the ongoing financial and economic crisis and consider their relevance.
Compulsory/Core Elective modules
This new module seeks to offer students a more comprehensive and contextual understanding of risk and crisis, including economic, social, technological, environmental, and geopolitical risk, inter alia, situating it within a broader set of institutions such as firms, corporations, NGOs, states, international organisations, etc., in order to make sense of what is specific about the causes, evolutions, and responses to risk in a capitalist political economy. This is also meant to address risk beyond the mere presentist purview of corporate management practices, insofar as students in the MSc Management may both i) work in a broad range of institutions, and ii) will have to understand and engage in their professional lives with a variety of emerging risks, which the conventional risk management literature broaches at times only superficially. We hope that, by the end of the course, students understand that risk management is not engineering, with mechanical solutions to social and economic problems, but rather always a fraught endeavor, rife with contradictions and contestations.
This module engages with the institutional, theoretical, strategic and ethical dimensions of global sustainability transitions. Students will learn the history of international institutions such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations Climate Convention and critically reflect on their role in shaping the global policy context in which sustainability is pursued. Competing approaches to sustainability transitions, such as green growth, degrowth, the circular economy and Green New Deals are explored and compared in terms of their implications for state/business/civil society collaboration and appraised in terms of effectiveness, feasibility and justice.
Elective modules
This module gives students the opportunity to study the international relations of the Middle East through the lens of contemporary conflict. The Middle East is often characterized as the most conflict-ridden region of the world. This module seeks to explore firstly if that is an accurate assessment and secondly why so many conflicts have occurred in this region. Focusing on the contemporary Middle East, while also discussing recent history, `conflict¿ is broadly defined to mean not just wars, but also contested politics. Exploration of these conflicts will be framed by international relations theory and the theories of civil conflicts. The module will first consider the key state (and non-state) actors involved in many of these conflicts, whether regional (Turkey, Iran, Saudi, Israel, UAE/Qatar) or international (US, Russia, China). Thereafter, we will explore different conflict case studies each week in which these rivalries have play out and interacted with domestic politics: Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Kurdistan, Palestine and Libya.
BUSM086 explores theoretical approaches explaining what markets managers choose to compete within, why and how. 'Traditional' competitive positioning, resource-based views are critically evaluated for their appropriateness in an increasingly networked, globalised, digitised and fluid environment. Contemporary approaches to strategic management, such as the importance of strategy process, business ecosystems, behavioural approaches and time/timing are analysed. From a variety of organisational contexts, we assess the extent to which firm strategy models may be applied to public sector/voluntary/entrepreneurial types of organisations and firms.
This module explores how the management of global supply chains involves negotiating a multifaceted process of value creation and capture cutting across firms' and states' borders and from the environment. It maps the relations between firms and between firms and other actors and explores how supply chains are embedded in different environmental and social contexts. The module explores these issues by focusing on some of the largest corporate-controlled global supply chains in history, e.g. food and supermarkets, fashion retailers and mobile phone producers.
This course introduces contemporary theories and the empirical literature of the economics of developing countries with specific reference to public policy delivery. The course will address the problems with public policy delivery in developing countries and what solutions and strategies have been identified in the literature. The course will deal with debates such as centralised and decentralised delivery methods, political economy issues of corruption and state capture, and the role of incentives among politicians and bureaucrats in service delivery.
The module provides students with a detailed examination - and critique - of theories of globalisation and assessment of contemporary globalising processes, and how these particularly influence the developing world. It examines these influences through detailed analysis of contemporary manifestations of globalisation, including neo-liberalism, US hegemony and contemporary imperialism, capital flows, global commodity chains, state-market relations, patterns of global inequality, international institutions, and questions of cultural homogenisation/imperialism. The module also examines the ways in which globalisation is resisted, focusing on the rise of transnational social movements and NGOs, and the politics of anti-globalisation, and how this relates to an ostensibly post-development era. In addressing these issues, the module concludes by asking the most important question: how do we think of development in an era of globalisation, US hegemony, neo-liberalism and imperialism?
The module aims to introduce students to concepts and practices related to managing in a globally volatile, complex, dynamic environment within which organisations, national and international institutions and individuals interact. The elective is designed to be an advanced global strategic management course presenting material that is highly contemporary. This course provides balanced global strategic insights along with proven practical business frameworks and prepares you to respond quickly to today's challenging global environment.
This module will provide an advanced examination of International Organisations (IOs) as a transnational political workspace for both cooperation and contestation between global actors. The module will be grounded in a historical and critical examination of the development of IOs in the 19th century as a tool to manage European international order, and it will emphasize the ways in which IOs developed in conjunction with the modern state. Building upon this critical grounding, the module will examine today's IOs, with a particular focus on the UN system, and their effectiveness in confronting global challenges in the 21st century. The module will conclude with a capstone day-long Model UN simulation.
Assessment
- Modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations
- You will also be assessed through an individual dissertation
Dissertation
You will have the opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in a 12,000-word dissertation project demonstrating subject specific and specialist knowledge.
Examples of past titles:
- Catching up to South Korea and Taiwan: The applicability of successful East Asian developmental policies toward increasing capabilities and capturing higher value-added developments in Southeast Asia’s electronics manufacturing industry
- The dynamics of sustainability certification scheme on the ground level of cocoa global value chain in Sulawesi Barat, Indonesia
- Varieties of Sustainable and Responsible investment (SRI). A comparative study of Norway and the Netherlands
Teaching
Our interdisciplinary approach offers blended educational pathways, including lectures led by internationally recognised academics and interaction with Queen Mary’s independent Virtual Learning Environment, QMPlus.
You will gain invaluable insight from guest speakers, get hands-on experience using industry-leading software and develop communication skills through interactive seminars, presentations and lively group discussions with your peers.
You will also be expected to complete further hours of independent study. You will take an active role in your own learning by reading designated material, producing written assignments and completing projects.
We invest in both your educational and personal development, and you will be assigned an Academic Adviser who will be there to support you throughout your time at Queen Mary.
—The MSc International Business and Politics breaks the silos of academia that separate business and politics.
My studies at Queen Mary enabled me to draw connections between business issues in regard to supply chain management and policy-making/multilateral governance on global traded commodities. The lecturers were committed to providing me with continuous support for assignments, which helped me grow substantially on a personal and academic level.
Olivia C, MSc International Business and Politics
Where you'll learn
Facilities
At Queen Mary you will have access to a number of advanced facilities, some of which are designated exclusively to postgraduate students. These include:
- Mile End Institute, a major discussion forum based at Queen Mary which brings together policymakers, academics and local communities to address national political challenges.
- State-of-the-art media suite with editing software (QUBE)
- Brand new Graduate Centre, offering purpose-built study spaces and an exclusive rooftop common room
- Think Pod - an interactive collaboration space with presentation, recording and video conferencing facilities
- Access to some of London’s outstanding facilities including the British Library, Senate House Library and Copac
About the School
School of Politics and International Relations
The School of Politics and International Relations has an interdisciplinary structure that enables us to deliver a modern approach to educational research. With a focus on high-quality teaching and innovation, this school ensures engaging educational pathways, alongside supportive staff and excellent research facilities. Our staff are active researchers with diverse interests across politics, international relations, and sociology, from security and war to migration and environmental politics, which is reflected in our high-level teaching and the breadth of our programmes.
School of Business and Management
We invite our students to ask incisive questions, to challenge their assumptions, and to search for solutions to real-world challenges.
The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which ensures that the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success are met.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the School of Business and Management dramatically moved up the Times Higher Education rankings. Among 108 UK business schools, the School now ranks:
- 22nd for overall research quality (up from 39th in REF2014)
- 28th for research outputs (up from 34th)
- 12th for research impact (up from 24th)
- 21st for research environment (up from 59th)
Career paths
A masters from both the School of Politics and International Relations and the School of Business and Management offers a competitive advantage to entry into a number of professions. During your studies you'll have access to support at every stage in your degree, including one-to-one academic guidance, tailored workshops, and guest speakers who provide career insights.
Graduates of this course have gone on to work in roles such as:
- Analysis Trade Support
- Junior consultant
- Underwriter
- Insight Sales Representative
- Associate foreign trader
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £12,250
- Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £6,150
- Overseas: £12,750
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in Politics or a related discipline.
Other routes
Candidates that do not currently meet the set entry requirements may also have the option to study the Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences. Meeting the required grades on completion of this programme will provide a pathway to study MSc International Business and Politics.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the School of Politics and International Relations falls within the following English band:
Band 5: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.