Comparative Business Economics MA

London, Bloomsbury

Our Comparative Business Economics MA is focused principally at company-level study and offers the chance to examine: the role of multinationals; corporate governance and finance; privatisation; entrepreneurship, and the determinants of innovation and technological change within the European area.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£22,700
£11,350
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants are usually expected to have studied macroeconomics, microeconomics and quantitative methods/statistics in their degree. Applicants whose studies for their undergraduate degree have been undertaken wholly or mainly at a university located outside of the UK must submit either GMAT or GRE score as part of the application. There is no minimum score required, but this will be used as part of our assessment alongside the rest of your application.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Our programme offers you discipline-based training combined with practical application, drawing on the experience of the 28 nations that have emerged from the former Soviet block in Europe and Asia. You will be equipped with strong foundations in both international business and economics as well as in finance and corporate governance.

Further details on structure and modules can be found in the Programme Handbook

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for students with a background in economics who wish to develop the skills necessary for further research in this field, for work in international business for European and national government institutions, and for developing their own entrepreneurial ventures.

What this course will give you

The UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES) is one of the largest national centres in the UK, for the study of central, Eastern and south-east Europe and Russia.

SSEES' location on the edge of Bloomsbury offers you access to the British Library, British Museum, University of London Library and other similar research centres, which are all close by.

Our unique specialist library and central London location provide an ideal environment for research, while our close contacts with employers, policymakers, embassies and alumni afford you excellent opportunities for networking and career development.

The foundation of your career

The Comparative Business Economics MA prepares you for both further research, and for work in international business, for European and national government institutions, and for developing your own entrepreneurial ventures. A range of topical events and research seminars complement your studies. 

Employability

With their specialist knowledge and language skills, SSEES graduates can be found in business, finance, the media, international agencies, charities, diplomacy, international security organisations, the law, and academia.

 

Networking

SSEES scholars have developed strong links with a range of institutions in London, including the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), Roubini Global Economics, NGOs such as Health Prom, Amnesty International and others through the BEARR Trust, Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs), as well as with the European Commission. SSEES also cultivates connections with the London embassies of the region, which regularly co-sponsor round-table events and lectures by leading international figures relevant to our area interests.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and private study. The third term is devoted to revision sessions and the dissertation project. 

A 15-credit module is equivalent to 150 hours of study and a 30-credit module equivalent to 300 hours. This includes contact time, private study and the undertaking of coursework assignments.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, film viewings, tutorials and specialist language courses. You will be assessed through unseen examinations, long essays, coursework and the research dissertation.

For a full-time postgraduate course, we recommend around 20-25 hours of independent study per week. Contact hours may vary depending on module choices, but full-time students will have approximately 8-10 contact hours each week during term time, spent in lectures and seminars.

For a part-time postgraduate course, contact hours would usually be 4-6 hours per week across 2-3 days and we recommend around 10-12 hours of independent study per week.

Those undertaking language modules may have additional contact hours. There is minimal teaching during Term 3, as students focus on the dissertation and assessments.

Modules

You undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, 120 credits of which are taught courses. 

The taught courses comprise compulsory methods modules, a module in Political Economy of International Business, at least one module from a list of core policy papers and finally a choice from a list of available electives. 

In addition, you must also undertake a free-standing dissertation (60 credits) and a Dissertation Preparation Module (0 credits).

Further details on structure and modules can be found in the Programme Handbook

The MA can be taken part-time, across two years. Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

In Year 1, you will take compulsory methods modules, a module in Political Economy of International Business and options from a list of core modules.

In Year 2, you will take optional modules to develop your broader understanding and develop key concepts learnt in Year 1. You will also continue to formulate and develop your dissertation outline and structure with support from your supervisor. You will then spend the summer of Year 2 researching and writing your 12,000 word dissertation on a topic to be determined in discussion with your supervisor

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Comparative Business Economics.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Economics and Business

The SSEES Graduate Open Series provides a focused session on each of our subject areas. Our virtual Zoom event series promises an invaluable experience for prospective master’s students as they explore a diverse range of postgraduate master’s and PhD opportunities. Guided by our accomplished academics and passionate student ambassadors, this series is designed to deliver comprehensive insights into the school and its programme offering.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £22,700 £11,350
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Fee deposits for this programme are as follows: Overseas full time students £4,000; Overseas part time students £2,000.

Additional costs may include expenses such as books, stationery, printing or photocopying, or conference registration fees and associated travel costs.

The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library as hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Comparative Business Economics at graduate level
  • why you want to study Comparative Business Economics at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging and truly international academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.