Politics and International Relations - MA

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

### Program Overview
The MRes in Global Political Economy at the University of Exeter is a one-year research master's program designed for students passionate about tackling big global issues like geopolitics, inequalities, and mobilities—perfect if you're aiming for a PhD or a career shaping policy and research in international affairs. You'll build advanced research skills through rigorous training, positioning you to dive deep into how economic forces drive world events, all within one of the UK's top politics departments.

### Curriculum Structure
Year 1
In your first (and only) year, you'll immerse yourself in core research methods and foundational theories tailored to global political economy, starting with modules like those in the SWDTP pathway that emphasize geopolitics and inequalities. You'll master designing research projects, collecting and analyzing data with qualitative, quantitative, and digital tools, much like in related MRes programs such as Social Science Research MRes or Politics MRes, building skills for independent inquiry. This culminates in a substantial dissertation where you choose a topic close to your interests, supported by a personal supervisor and backed by weekly workshops and seminars featuring faculty and guest experts.

### Focus Areas
Geopolitics, inequalities, and mobilities—exploring how economic policies, global power shifts, and human movements shape our world, with ties to cutting-edge research in elections, European studies, political thought, and strategy.

### Learning Outcomes
You'll gain advanced independent thinking, expertise in research methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, digital), the ability to construct rigorous arguments, manage complex data, and reflect on your development—skills that prepare you for PhD success or high-impact roles.

### Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Fully aligned with the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP), this program provides a direct pathway to funded MPhil/PhD in Global Political Economy, ensuring your training meets top standards for doctoral progression in social sciences.

### Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Exeter's Politics and International Relations ranks among the UK's top departments, with world-leading research funded by ESRC, European Commission, and Leverhulme Trust—graduates are primed for academia, government, NGOs, think tanks, and policy roles, backed by strong employability from our seminar series, conferences, and industry links.

[Official program details](https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/funding/phdfunding/fundedcentres/swdtp/)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Exeter, our MRes in Global Political Economy—delivered through the top-ranked Politics and International Relations department—immerses you in hands-on research training that builds real-world skills in analysing global challenges like security, elections, and political economies. You'll dive into practical methodologies through seminars, workshops, and group discussions led by world-leading faculty, using cutting-edge tools in computational social science and data analysis, all within a supportive community of over 90 research students. This isn't just theory; it's about equipping you to design projects, interpret complex data, and present findings like a pro—skills that employers love, as our alumni rave about the career prep.

Here's how experiential learning comes alive for MRes students in this program, with direct access to department-specific resources::

- Q-Step Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2): Hands-on training in quantitative and digital methodologies, including big data analysis and computational tools for political economy research—no generic software here, but tailored to real-world applications like elections and public opinion.
- Regular seminars, workshops, and annual postgraduate conference: Collaborate in group projects and presentations with peers across humanities and social sciences, plus visits from renowned scholars to sharpen your argumentation and teamwork.
- Research centres like Strategy and Security Institute (SSI), Centre for Advanced International Studies, and Elections Centre: Dedicated spaces for independent and group research on global political economy themes, fostering advanced thinking and rigorous analysis.
- Weekly graduate workshops and departmental seminars: Present your own work alongside faculty, building oral and written skills through qualitative, quantitative, and digital methods—perfect prep for PhD or policy careers.
- Individual dissertation supervision: A major group-free research project (starting early in the year) where you lead your own political economy topic, with feedback to reflect on strengths and plan your growth.

This setup at our Streatham Campus in Exeter gives you the edge to stand out—imagine applying to top PhD programs or global roles with Exeter's name on your CV. Ready to take the next step? Check the full facilities list here: [University of Exeter Facilities](https://www.exeter.ac.uk/about/sitemap/). Let's chat about your application!

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Exeter, our MRes in Global Political Economy immerses you in hands-on research training right from the start, building practical skills through designing your own projects, collecting data, and analysing real-world political and economic issues with cutting-edge methods. You'll work in a vibrant department ranked among the UK's top for Politics and International Relations, using dedicated research centres and tools to tackle topics like global security, elections, and computational social science—preparing you perfectly for a PhD or influential career in policy and analysis. This isn't just theory; it's about gaining the expertise employers and top PhD programs crave, with support from faculty who publish in world-leading journals and guide students like you every step.

Here's how our facilities and opportunities make experiential learning come alive for this program:
- Q-Step Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2): Dive into digital tools and quantitative methods like big data analysis, brain imaging, and experimental approaches for political economy research—perfect for mastering software-driven analysis of global trends.
- Regular seminars, workshops, and annual postgraduate conference: Collaborate with over 90 research students and 30+ faculty in group settings, presenting your work and getting feedback from international scholars to sharpen your arguments and teamwork skills.
- Strategy and Security Institute (SSI) and Centre for Advanced International Studies (CAIS): Access specialised group projects and rigorous methodologies in security, conflict, and international political economy, with ESRC-approved research training.
- Elections Centre and Public Policy and Governance Group (PPGG): Hands-on work with real election data and policy simulations, building practical expertise in political behaviour and governance without needing off-site internships.
- Departmental research culture at Streatham Campus: Join weekly graduate workshops, reading groups on topics like machine learning and networks, and visits from renowned scholars—all fostering independent and group-based research in world-class facilities.

This setup gives you a real edge—students like our MA grads rave about the employability support and faculty who care about your future. Ready to apply and turn your passion into impact? Check out the full facilities list here: [University of Exeter Facilities](https://www.exeter.ac.uk/about/sitemap/). Let's chat about your next steps!