Political Economy (Research Route) MA

Our flagship MA in Political Economy is situated in the renowned Centre for the Study of Political Economy at The University of Manchester. The Centre brings together world-class research strengths and teaching from across the Faculty of Humanities to deliver a rigorous, impactful, and highly interdisciplinary course that critically examines the relationships between national and global economies, political landscapes, and public policies.

Studying our master’s in Political Economy via the Research Route, you will be introduced to a range of core orthodox and critical theories while also developing skills in quantitative and qualitative research design. Your course will be shaped by your interests, and you will choose one of four pathways to specialise in:

* Theoretical Political Economy;

* Political Economy of Society, Space and Environment;;

* Political Economy of Development;

* Political Economy of Finance, Business and Work.

Each pathway offers course units drawn from the four different schools within the Faculty of Humanities:

* School of Social Sciences;

* School of Arts, Languages and Cultures;

* School of Environment, Education and Development;

* Alliance Manchester Business School.

Through this interdisciplinary approach, you will benefit from unique exposure to the full breadth of the field of political economy.

Through the course, you will develop subject area expertise as well as highly transferrable skills such as research design, critical inquiry, and writing and communication skills, setting you up for multiple career paths in the public, private, or third sectors. You will also be well-placed to continue developing and using your research expertise, either professionally or in PhD study.

The Research Route is an ESRC recognised 1 + 3 course. This means it offers training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods that prepares you for doctoral research and sets you up well for countless similar careers.

Research or Standard Route?

The key difference between our MA Political Economy (Research Route) and our MA Political Economy (Standard Route) is the amount and scope of mandatory course units you will take.

On the Research Route, in addition to your dissertation, you will take five mandatory course units and two optional course units. Mandatory units on this route are:

* POLI60312 Research Design and Skills;

* POLI70771 Philosophy of Politics Research;

* SOCS60230 Qualitative Research Methods;

* SOST70511 Introduction to Quantitative Methods;

* POEC61011 Theoretical Approaches to Political Economy.

On the Standard Route, in addition to your dissertation, you will take two mandatory course units and five optional course units. Mandatory units on this route are:

* POLI60312 Research Design and Skills;

* POEC61011 Theoretical Approaches to Political Economy.