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Global Political Economy

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Ideal for developing your in-depth understanding of actors and structures governing the global economy, this MSc Global Political Economy offers you a fascinating, cross-disciplinary perspective on the interplay of political and economic forces that shape our world.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This wide-ranging course explores different approaches to the study of political economy and prioritises you gaining in-depth knowledge and engagement with contemporary challenges. 
    • Our academics are active researchers in this field publishing in prominent scholarly journals and offering internationally renowned expertise on an extensive array of topics.
    • The diversity of our staff and student body provides you with a unique learning environment to gain insight into fast-changing global political economic dynamics.
    • This course also welcomes graduates with interests in other areas of social sciences and humanities, and without a formal background in economics.

  • What will I learn?

    You will be able to explore a wide variety of topics and their socio-political implications. Through this exploration you will develop a robust understanding of major theories in the field and the historical evolution of global political economy.

    Topics explored include foundational themes, such as transnational production, trade relations, international financial regulation and economic crises. You will also examine more recent debates relating to:

    • the political economy of migration
    • the climate crisis 
    • evolving North-South relations and the rise of new powers 
    • the future of neoliberal globalisation amidst resurgent geopolitical tensions
    • new modes of economic nationalism. 

    You will be able to further tailor this course to your interests with option modules on a wide variety of topics.

  • How will I learn?

    This MSc emphasises critical analytical thinking, in-depth engagement with course themes and guided independent learning. You will be able to apply your knowledge by completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice, with the supervision of an academic adviser.

    The course is available to study full- or part-time, with lectures, seminars and workshops taking place in the evening in small groups. Many modules may also offer classes you can attend online, as well as on campus, though international students holding a Student visa will only be able to attend classes taking place on campus. 

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Minimum two evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One evening a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • We organise a lively programme of seminars and conferences and are home to affiliated research centres, such as the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life, which run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
  • Our academic staff are international authorities in their respective fields, publishing and delivering stimulating teaching in a wide range of political topics including civil society and the state, public policy, development, gender, international security and terrorism, and social and political theory.
  • You will have the unique opportunity to take a joint module with other political economy postgraduate students as part of a research partnership in this area within the Birkbeck Centre for Political Economy and Institutional Studies (CPEIS).
  • Birkbeck's location in central London puts you at the heart of the UK’s political life and at the centre of academic London. You can walk down to Parliament and Whitehall, while Bloomsbury contains some of the world’s most famous libraries and centres of research. One of our campus buildings was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T.S. Eliot, George Bernard Shaw and Maynard Keynes.
  • You can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including Senate House Library, the British Library and the British Library of Political and Economic Science at the London School of Economics. Birkbeck Library has a large politics collection, including the major specialist journals, and provides you with access to an extensive range of online materials.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

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Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in the social sciences or humanities or equivalent professional experience.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue further academic research at PhD level or follow career paths in journalism, international organisations, local and national government and NGOs. Possible professions include:

  • Civil Service fast-streamer
  • government research officer
  • politician’s assistant
  • public affairs consultant
  • diplomatic services officer
  • public relations officer
  • journalist.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Study routes for Global Political Economy (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time