International Political Economy MA

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Birmingham

Program Overview

The MA International Political Economy at Birmingham gives you a deep dive into how global economics and politics are intertwined, studying the history and structures of global capitalism, trade, finance, development and governance — ideal for anyone who wants to understand or influence how economic power, policy and globalisation shape world affairs. The course further suits students interested in international development, diplomacy, global governance, or research — especially if you want to approach global challenges with both political and economic insight.

Curriculum Structure

Since this is a one-year (full-time) master’s (with a 2-year part-time option) at Birmingham:

Core foundation: In the first part of the programme you study the core module “International Political Economy” (or similarly titled), which covers theoretical foundations, global markets, trade, finance, development and the politics underlying global economic order. This equips you to critically assess global economic systems and their political dimensions.
Flexible optional modules: Based on your interests, you choose several optional modules from a broad list — for example, modules relevant to globalisation, development, international relations, global governance, security, regional politics or other areas. This lets you tailor the degree to focus more on economics, politics, global governance, development or security depending on your future goals.
Independent research / dissertation: In the final term you complete a substantial dissertation on a topic of your choice — giving you hands-on research experience in IPE, allowing you to combine theory with real-world issues (trade, development, inequality, global governance, etc.).

Focus areas

“International Political Economy; Globalisation and Governance; Global Trade & Finance; Development Economics & Policy; Global Governance & Institutions; International Relations; Global Security & Political Economy; Comparative and Regional Political Economy.”

Learning outcomes

“You will acquire critical understanding of how global economic and political systems interact; be equipped to analyze trade, finance, development and governance issues at global and national levels; gain research skills to conduct in-depth empirical and theoretical analysis; and emerge prepared for roles in policy, diplomacy, international development, research or consultancy that require integrated political-economy insight.”

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you study this MA at Birmingham, you benefit from a well-resourced, research-intensive environment where theory meets practice — combining lectures/seminars, independent research, institutional support and access to high-quality library/archives to support deep learning and global affairs work:

Part of a strong research community via the department’s research group: The Political Science & International Studies department (POLSIS) at Birmingham houses a vibrant Political Economy research group — meaning you’ll have opportunities to engage with research-active faculty, attend research seminars, and possibly contribute to ongoing academic work.
Wide choice of optional modules tailored to global political economy & globalisation issues: The MA’s structure allows students to customise their study with optional modules — giving flexibility to focus on areas such as globalisation, development, trade, governance, or international relations — useful for specialised research or policy interests.
Opportunity for first-hand exposure to global institutions via study trips: Students in POLSIS master’s programmes have the opportunity to join an annual, week-long study trip to Brussels, where they visit major international organisations (e.g. EU & NATO bodies) — giving you insight into how global governance works in practice.
Supported work experience and internships for postgraduates: Through the university’s “Work experience and internships” and “Graduate Internships (UoBGI)” programmes, postgraduates (including MA students) can access internships, volunteering, and other work-experience opportunities that complement coursework — helpful for building CVs, gaining practical exposure, or trying out careers in policy, research, admin or allied fields.
Extensive library and archival resources: The University has a robust library services setup — with several libraries including the Cadbury Research Library (with rare books, manuscripts, archives) and a Main Library — offering access to a wide range of academic literature, data, historical records, and research materials essential for coursework, dissertation and independent research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from Birmingham’s International Political Economy programme often move into roles in global economic policy, international institutions, research and consultancy — or into government, NGO, media, and international-agency positions that require political-economic expertise. Typical early-career positions include: Economic or Policy Analyst, International Development Officer, Government / Public-Policy Advisor, Researcher at Think-Tanks or International Organisations.

The programme’s strong grounding in both economics and politics allows alumni to engage in a wide variety of sectors including diplomacy, global trade & finance, development, economic consultancy, and international governance.

What University of Birmingham Offers to Support These Outcomes

Dedicated employability & career-support services — through the university’s “Careers Network,” which supports postgraduates with career counselling, CV and application workshops, internships/volunteering placements, employer-networking events, and part-time work opportunities.
High employability rate among graduates — graduates from the International Political Economy MA/PGDip have reportedly gone on to work at organisations such as the United Nations, government departments, local authorities, NGOs and international agencies.
Versatility across sectors — Past graduates from the broader Political Science & International Studies pool have entered sectors including public administration, consultancy, policy-making, defence & security, data analysis, education, research institutes, and business support services.
Strong institutional reputation and global recognition — The University of Birmingham is widely recognised among UK and global employers: its degrees carry weight in both academic and professional circles, giving long-term value to the qualification.