Course description
The MA in Political Economy course at Manchester offers a cross-disciplinary curriculum of study in political economy.
The MA is housed in the Centre for the Study of Political Economy, which brings together the world-class research strengths in the field of political economy at the University. The course is taught by members from across the Faculty of Humanities in the School of Social Sciences, the School of Environment and Development, and the Alliance Manchester Business School.
Each student will pursue their particular interests in political economy through one of four pathways:
- Theoretical Political Economy;
- Political Economy of Society, Space and Environment;
- Political Economy of Finance, Business and Work;
- Political Economy of Development.
Each pathway offers courses drawn from across the different disciplines in the schools, offering you unique exposure to the full breadth of the field of political economy. The research route is an ESRC recognised 1 + 3 course which offers training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods that prepares you for doctoral research.
Teaching and learning
Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time route.
You must first check the schedule of the compulsory units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.
Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit choices during induction week with your course director.
Course unit details
All students take a core course unit in Theoretical Approaches to Political Economy, which provides a thorough grounding in both classical and contemporary theories of political economy and introduces the basic concepts of the discipline.
You will also take at least one core unit from your chosen pathway, together with one optional unit from that pathway. The research route provides a foundation in research skills for students intending to go on to undertake a PhD in the area of political economy, or seeking employment requiring advanced research skills in the public, private or voluntary sector.
You will complete compulsory core research training units in Quantitative Research Methods, Qualitative Research, Philosophy of Politics and Dissertation Research Design. Taught units comprise two thirds of the course. The remainder of the course consists of a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation on a substantial issue in political economy.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Approaches to Political Economy | POEC61011 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Research Design and Skills | POLI60312 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Philosophy of Politics Research | POLI70771 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Dissertation | POLI72000 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Qualitative Research Methods | SOCS60230 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Quantitative Methods | SOST70511 | 15 | Mandatory |
| The Political Economy of Global Business | BMAN62012 | 15 | Optional |
| Poverty, Inequality and Government Policy in Less Developed Countries | ECON60212 | 15 | Optional |
| Economics of Environmental Policy | ECON60782 | 15 | Optional |
| Issues in Environmental Policy | GEOG70912 | 15 | Optional |
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Scholarships and bursaries
The School offers a number of awards for students applying for master's study.
To find our more, please visit our master's funding opportunity search page.