International Political Economy MA

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Kings College London

Program Overview

The MA International Political Economy at King’s College London explores how politics and economics intersect in shaping global markets, governance, and development. It is ideal for students who want to understand international trade, finance, and policy while preparing for careers in government, NGOs, consultancy, or academia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin with core modules such as International Political Economy: Theory and Themes and Research Methods for Political Economy, which provide a rigorous foundation in both conceptual frameworks and methodological tools. These courses train students to critically analyse globalisation, trade, and financial systems, while equipping them with practical skills in qualitative and quantitative research.

Year 2

The program deepens thematic expertise through modules like Global Governance and Political Economy of Development, where students explore how institutions, states, and markets interact in shaping global outcomes. Optional modules such as International Trade Policy, Global Financial Markets, or Regional Political Economies allow students to tailor their studies to personal interests and career ambitions.

Dissertation

The program culminates in an independent Dissertation, supervised by faculty in the Department of European & International Studies. This project enables students to design and execute original research, applying theoretical and methodological skills to pressing issues in international political economy.

Focus Areas

Globalisation, trade policy, financial markets, governance, development, comparative political economy, and research methods.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

Analyse the interaction between politics and economics in global contexts.
Apply advanced research methods to international trade, finance, and governance.
Engage critically with debates on development, inequality, and globalisation.
Communicate complex insights to academic, policy, and professional audiences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This MA is delivered by the School of Politics & Economics at King’s, a globally recognised centre for research and teaching. While not tied to a formal accreditation body, its strong methodological and policy focus aligns with careers in government, NGOs, think tanks, and international organisations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

King’s College London is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities:

QS World University Rankings 2025: King’s is ranked 40th globally.
The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy has a strong reputation for employability, with graduates progressing into roles in diplomacy, consultancy, and international research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the MA International Political Economy at King’s College London gain practical skills by engaging directly with global policy debates, advanced research methods, and collaborative projects. The program is housed within the Department of European & International Studies, giving students access to world-class faculty, research centres, and digital resources. Beyond lectures, students sharpen their abilities through seminars, workshops, and independent research, while benefiting from King’s extensive library collections and career-focused services.

To make this experiential learning concrete, here are the specific opportunities and resources available to students:

Specialist software training: Modules such as Research Methods for Political Economy introduce students to statistical packages like Stata and R, ensuring they graduate with transferable data analysis skills.
Group projects and seminars: Core modules like International Political Economy: Theory and Themes involve collaborative debates, presentations, and peer-led analysis of globalisation, trade, and finance.
Policy engagement opportunities: Students attend guest lectures and workshops hosted by King’s School of Politics & Economics, connecting them with policymakers, NGOs, and international organisations.
Library and digital resources: Access to King’s College London Library Services, including extensive collections in political science and economics, as well as digital databases for international research.
Independent dissertation research: Supervised by faculty, students design and execute original projects that apply both qualitative and quantitative methods to pressing issues in international political economy.
Networking and career events: King’s Careers & Employability Service partners with the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy to provide tailored guidance, internships, and employer-led sessions relevant to international affairs.
International student community: With students from over 30 countries enrolled, the program offers a diverse environment where peer learning and cross-cultural perspectives enrich classroom discussions.

This combination of advanced software training, collaborative projects, and direct engagement with King’s institutes ensures students graduate with both academic expertise and the practical skills employers and policymakers demand.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of King’s College London’s MA in International Political Economy are highly employable, moving into careers that demand expertise in global markets, governance, and policy. Typical roles include policy analyst in government or NGOs, consultant in international trade and finance, research officer in think tanks or international organisations, and journalist or analyst specialising in global economic affairs. The program’s strong methodological training and global focus ensure students are competitive across diverse professional sectors:

University services for employability: King’s students benefit from the King’s Careers & Employability Service, which provides tailored one-to-one guidance, employer networking events, and access to the King’s CareerConnect platform for internships and graduate roles.
Employment stats and salary figures: King’s reports that over 90% of postgraduate students are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation, with average salaries for social science graduates ranging from £32,000–£40,000 depending on sector.
University–industry partnerships: The program is delivered by the School of Politics & Economics, which collaborates with policymakers, NGOs, and international organisations through seminars, workshops, and policy engagement events.
Long-term accreditation value: While not tied to a formal accreditation body, the MA’s rigorous training in political economy and global analysis provides transferable skills valued across government, consultancy, and academia.
Graduation outcomes: Alumni progress into roles at organisations such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), international NGOs, research institutes, and media outlets, reflecting the program’s strong reputation for employability.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MA, students may continue their academic journey by pursuing a PhD in International Political Economy or related fields at King’s College London. This pathway builds on the MA’s methodological and theoretical expertise, opening opportunities for careers in academia, advanced policy research, and leadership roles in international institutions