Global Politics (MSc / MRes) - 2013/2014 entry
-
Overview
This programme provides a historical understanding of the evolution of global political and economic forces and the ideas that shaped them. It also includes evaluations of: the spread of neo-liberal economic orthodoxy; the creation and operation of multilateral institutions (such as the World Trade Organization); foreign direct investment; migration; and global governance.
You will develop the capacity to analyse political debates and issues in a critical manner, while improving teamwork and both written and oral communication skills. You will also learn to locate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data on globalisation from printed and electronic sources.
Find out more about studying at Birkbeck's Department of Politics.
-
Why study this course at Birkbeck?
- Provides the analytical tools required to examine the changing nature of international politics and the emergence of a global political space.
- A good foundation from which to undertake a PhD/MPhil related to globalisation in the social sciences.
- Ideal if you are planning a career in international organisations, policy research, journalism or economic and political forecasting.
-
Course structure
You will take two core modules and two option modules, and will write a dissertation.
Core modules:
- International Political Economy: provides a grounding in history and theories of global economic and political change
- Global Governance: focuses on the state, domestic and international institutions and global change.
The core modules are complemented by a range of thematic or regional option modules, allowing you to tailor the degree to your own specific personal or career interests. Option modules are normally available in:
- British, US and European government and politics
- international relations, international security, and US foreign policy
- politics of globalisation and international political economy
- politics, policy and administration of the EU
- political theory and political sociology
- war, conflict, nationalism, politics and religion
- policy analysis, policy-making processes and comparative public policy
- public management and public sector reform
- research methods.
For MRes students, research methods training forms part of the programme's core elements.
-
Study resources
Birkbeck Library has an extensive teaching collection of books and journals in politics and sociology. It also has an impressive range of electronic resources, including bibliographic databases and over 17,000 electronic journals. Most of these resources can be accessed online 24-hours a day. It is worth spending some time on the library website to familiarise yourself with its collections and services.
Students can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including those of the Senate House Library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE Library) and the British Library.
The Department of Politics organises a lively programme of seminars and conferences.
Find out more about our learning resources and student support.
-
Further study opportunities
If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Politics/Sociology.
-
Careers information
Graduates go on to careers in local and national government, the diplomatic service, policy work and the voluntary sector, and as researchers or journalists.
-
Apply now
- Application deadlines and interviews
- Applications from January.
- UK-based candidates satisfying entry requirements interviewed March–September.
- Online application
You can apply online from the link below.
- Application deadlines and interviews