Global Political Economy - MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

The Postgraduate Certificate is made up of 60 credits from the core and optional modules.

The Postgraduate Diploma is made up of 120 credits from the core and optional modules.

Core modules (15 credits each)

• The Rise of the Global Economy - explores the origins of, and developments in, the global economy. Looking at the rise and impact of the great powers; the structure and pattern of wealth and poverty across the globe; and the economy's institutional structure, you will be equipped to critically engage with issues and trends in the global economy today.
• The World Trade Organisation and the Global Trading System - explores the changing nature of the global trade system since WWII and the creation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its evolution. In particular, we will assess the role and influence of emerging economies in the WTO and analyse the future of the WTO and the global trading system.
• The Rise of the BRICS in Global Trade - explores recent developments in the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa (BRICS), and the nature of their influence in the global economy. In particular, we will investigate the role of the BRICS in their respective regions; relations between the BRICS themselves; and their position in the global economy.
• The Politics of Trade Negotiation - considers the complex multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations that have taken place since WWII.

Optional modules

The following are 15 credits each:

• Contemporary Policy Analysis
• Globalisation and the Law
• International Financial Crime
• Econometrics
• Political Economy

The following are 30 credits each:

• Economic Theory and Policy
• Politics of Latin-American Underdevelopment
• Europe in the World
• Global Governance

Dissertation

To achieve a Masters, as well as 120 credits from the modules above, you must also complete a dissertation. This gives you the chance to research an area of the global political economy, in depth, which is of particular interest to you or of relevance to your career or company.

Please also note this structure is for the full-time course delivery only. For part-time delivery, the same modules will be studied. However, the structure will differ.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

The Global Political Economy course is delivered through a variety of teaching and learning activities, including lectures, tutor-led and student-led group discussions, seminars, projects, case studies, simulation games, and field trips to conferences. Teaching is based on research literature, professional experience and significant use of debate and discussion.

The programme is truly interdisciplinary and involves cross-department teaching staff, who are emerging and leading scholars in their respective fields. You will be taught by academics with a huge passion for their subject areas, and extensive expertise and knowledge of economies across the globe, including Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa. Many advise governments and conduct research for international institutions such as the World Bank, UNCTAD and the ILO.

For more detail, see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

The course takes one year to complete full time, starting in mid-September. Taught modules are delivered over two semesters (between September and April), with the dissertation forming the main element in the summer term. If necessary, additional time can be allowed for completing the dissertation.

Part-time students complete the same modules but over two or three years.

Assessment comprises formal tutor assessment, informal tutor assessment and informal peer review and feedback. We will test your knowledge, and intellectual, subject-specific and transferable skills, through a combination of exams, essays, case studies, presentations, projects and simulation games. We will also test your skills informally through class interaction during work on current academic research, case studies, practical exercises and experiential exercises.