MSc Political Economy

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

The MSc Political Economy at the University of Strathclyde is ideal for students who want to understand how politics and economics work together to shape societies, markets, and public policy. This programme helps you move beyond headlines and theory, equipping you with the analytical and research skills needed to interpret real economic and political challenges at national and global levels.

Curriculum Structure

Core Study (Year 1 – Full-time)
You begin the programme by building a strong conceptual foundation through modules such as Comparative Political Economy and International Political Economy, where you explore how different political systems influence economic outcomes across countries. Alongside this, Quantitative Methods 1 and Quantitative Methods 2 introduce you to data analysis techniques, helping you understand and interpret real economic and political data used in policy and research settings.

Optional and Thematic Study
As the course progresses, you can tailor your learning through optional modules that reflect your interests and career goals. Subjects like Policy Analysis help you understand how policies are designed and evaluated, while Principles of Research Design prepares you for independent research. Other options such as European Governance or Political Economy of Trade and Environment allow you to explore contemporary global challenges in greater depth.

Dissertation (Final Stage)
The programme concludes with a supervised dissertation, where you bring together theory, data and analysis to investigate a political economy issue that matters to you. This final project allows you to demonstrate your ability to conduct independent, rigorous research with real-world relevance.

Focus Areas (in a string)

Comparative political economy, international political economy, quantitative analysis, policy evaluation, research design, global governance.

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Strong understanding of political–economic systems, confidence in data analysis, ability to evaluate public policy, and skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is delivered by the School of Government and Public Policy, ensuring strong academic credibility and practical relevance for careers in policy, research, consultancy, and international organisations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Strathclyde has been recognised nationally as UK University of the Year and Scottish University of the Year, reinforcing the employability value of its postgraduate programmes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What makes the MSc Political Economy at Strathclyde stand out is its emphasis on learning by doing. Rather than studying politics and economics in isolation, you actively apply theories to real-world data, policy debates and case studies, supported by a strong research-led teaching environment.

Through seminars, applied coursework and your dissertation, you gain hands-on experience in analysing political and economic problems in the same way professionals do, supported by Strathclyde’s academic facilities and research culture:

Hands-on training in quantitative data analysis, using statistical techniques to examine real political and economic datasets
Seminar-based learning that encourages discussion, debate and critical thinking, reflecting how political economists work in practice
Group projects and presentations that develop teamwork and communication skills relevant to policy and consultancy roles
Research-focused assessments, including policy briefs and analytical reports, that mirror real professional outputs
Close academic supervision during your independent dissertation, allowing you to work on a topic aligned with current policy or research interests
Full access to Strathclyde Library, including specialist journals, datasets and government publications

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Political Economy leave Strathclyde with a strong mix of analytical thinking, data skills and policy insight, making them well prepared for roles where evidence-based decision-making is essential. The programme supports career pathways in areas such as policy analysis, economic research, public affairs and consultancy, both in the United Kingdom and internationally.

This preparation is supported through the following:

Strathclyde Careers Service, offering personalised guidance, employer engagement events and skills workshops tailored to postgraduate students
Strong alignment with roles such as Policy Analyst, Economic Researcher, Public Affairs Consultant, Government or NGO Research Officer
Transferable quantitative and analytical skills valued by think tanks, international organisations, public sector bodies and consultancies
Research-intensive training that strengthens your profile for competitive analytical and advisory roles
A dissertation that demonstrates your ability to manage complex research projects independently

Further Academic Progression:
If you wish to continue in academia, this MSc provides an excellent foundation for PhD study in Political Economy, International Political Economy, Public Policy or related social science disciplines, both at Strathclyde and at other leading universities.