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International Political Economy MA *
* This course is subject to approval

MA International Political Economy offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex relationship between politics and economics. Designed to tackle today's global challenges - such as globalisation, financial crises, inequality, and the environmental crisis - this programme will equip you with the tools to think creatively across disciplines. Combining political science, international relations, and economics, it provides hands-on training in developing innovative solutions to contemporary world issues. Graduates will be prepared to engage with global problems in imaginative, impactful ways.

  • You will have a strong grounding in Political Economy and the ability to apply different perspectives to understanding world politics
  • You will have a clear understanding of International Political Economy as a problem-driven and transdisciplinary approach to world politics
  • You will be able to apply critical thinking and judgment to analyse and develop innovative approaches to tackle major challenges in contemporary world politics
  • You will have the ability to work successfully in individual and collaborative settings

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 today’s world, it is increasingly apparent that you cannot understand politics or economics in isolation, and there is a need for a greater understanding of the relationship between the two. This is clear in the context of debates around globalisation, the relationship between states and markets, the 2008 global financial crisis and its (ongoing) aftermath, the environmental crisis, and debates around inequality and poverty. 

Standard distinctions between state and market, global and local, the international and the national, limit our capacity to engage creatively with such a world. 

In response, this MA Programme teaches an interdisciplinary approach to world politics that works across political science, international relations, and other social science disciplines, including economics. It aims to train new knowledge creators who are confident in working across disciplinary boundaries to engage the major challenges of today in imaginative ways.

The programme offers hands-on training in the development of the necessary conceptual and methodological tools in International Political Economy that facilitate thinking outside the box when addressing contemporary concerns in world politics.

Structure

The full-time programme is structured as follows: 

Term 1: 

Compulsory 

  • Approaches to Political Economy (30 credits) 

Optional module: 

  • 30 credits from the optional modules list 

Term 2: 

Compulsory 

  • Approaches to Political Economy (30 credits) 

Optional module: 

  • 30 credits from the optional modules list 

Term 3: 

  • Dissertation/Project in Political Economy (60 credits)

The part-time programme is structured as follows: 

Year 1, Term 1: 

  • Approaches to Political Economy (30 credits)

Year 1, Term 2: 

  • 30 credits from the optional modules list

Year 2, Term 1: 

  • 30 credits from the optional modules list

Year 2, Term 2: 

  • Current Debates in International Political Economy (30 credits) 

Year 2, Term 3: 

  • MA Dissertation/Project in Political Economy (60 credits)
Master Journey Webinars

Master Journey Webinars

Your Masters Journey Webinars: Join our engaging webinar series designed to guide you through every step of your masters journey.

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Assessment

Assessment is varied and takes a number of forms within the programme. The nature of the assessment is closely connected to the desired learning outcomes and the mode of teaching within each module. Forms of assessment include: written coursework; examinations; presentations; and the dissertation.

Teaching

The programme is taught in accordance with the School of Politics and International Relations Education Strategy and statement of educational principles, which support excellent, inclusive, and innovative teaching practices aimed at fostering independent learning and critical thinking in our students. Our strategy is informed by Queen Mary's 2030 strategy. 

Teaching takes a number of forms:

  • Lectures
  • Seminar
  • Workshops
  • Individual supervision of projects and dissertations
  • Individual feedback on written work.

Learning is supported by:

  • Coherently designed and effectively delivered modules
  • Detailed module information shared on QMPlus
  • The provision of key materials in libraries or through electronic resources
  • Appropriate assessment exercises within each module
  • Use of electronic teaching materials including Powerpoint, QMPlus and online reading lists
  • Encouraging active learning by supporting students in seminar discussions and independent research
  • Some research methods training as part of the dissertation module.

Where you'll learn

Facilities

About the School

School of Politics and International Relations

The School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary has an interdisciplinary structure that enables us to deliver a modern approach to educational research.

With a focus on high-quality teaching and innovation, the 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 politicswhich is reflected in our high-level teaching and the breadth of our programmes.

We are also a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK.

Contact us

School of Politics and International Relations

Career paths

Fees and funding

Full-time study

September 2025 | 1 year

Conditional deposit

Home: Not applicable

Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits

Part-time study

September 2025 | 2 years

The course fee is charged per annum for 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

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.

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 a relevant social science or humanities discipline (for example Politics, Economics, Sociology, International Relations, Human Geography, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Law, Literature).

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.

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