Political Economy MSc

About this degree

Political economy is the study of the interactions between politics and the economy. How do economic events and changing economic structures affect politics? How do political choices shape economic outcomes? How are economic policy choices made and what are their consequences?

This degree will equip you with the analytical skills – theoretical, empirical, and critical – to answer these questions, through a problem-based approach based on central contemporary political and economic challenges. This includes combining powerful analytical tools, many drawn from the discipline of economics, with empirical realism about people’s political motives and behaviour.

What have we learned from the political, economic and political economy analyses of major developments of our time – such as the rise of top income inequality in the advanced industrial democracies, waves of globalisation and deglobalisation, financial crises and institutional changes? What kinds of lessons can we take from these phenomena to the rising political economy opportunities and challenges of our time – like automation, artificial intelligence, or the economic changes driven climate change and policy responses to it? Through the rigorous analysis of theory and evidence on these vital topics, you will acquire a comprehensive grasp not only of where politics and economics have intersected in the past, but how this interrelationship will shape the future.

What this course will give you

The Political Economy MSc combines a core progression that you work through with your cohort classmates with the flexibility to choose optional modules to suit your passions and interests. It is taught and overseen by active researchers in the field, with particular expertise in British, European and global political economy. 

On this MSc, you are part of UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, highly-ranked centre for the study of politics and policy (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Politics). High-profile events that feature distinguished external speakers are often held in the department and across UCL, complementing your studies. 

By joining UCL, you join the 9th best university in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025), ranked 2nd in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and ranked the 1st in the UK and 5th globally for sustainability (QS Sustainability Rankings, 2025).

The foundation of your career

Technological, policy and social change are transforming contemporary political economies, posing new challenges where politics and economics intersect. Governments, businesses, and third-sector organisations need personnel with the skills to navigate this complex terrain effectively.

We expect our graduates to go on to a range of policy analysis and political roles both nationally and internationally, in both the public and third (NGO) sector, data science and management, marketing, finance, business consulting and journalism, including:

• Further academic study at UCL or elsewhere, especially in political science or public policy
• Government
• Think tanks, NGOs and social movements
• Private sector, including consultancies

(Graduate Outcomes survey 2017-2022)

Networking

As a student in the department of Political Science  you will have access to a range of support, activities, and events that contribute to your learning experience. Our departmental careers programming spans across MSc degrees and includes: 

• Departmental Careers network
• “Careers Week” that offers a large number of careers events that integrate current students with alumni with interesting career stories to share. There is also a very active alumni LinkedIn network 

Other opportunities for you to broaden your network at UCL include: 

• A wide range of events, such as our 'Policy and Practice' seminars which include talks by high-profile policy makers, practitioners and academics
• Support for student-led events in co-ordination with the Programme Director
• The International Public Policy Review: a student-led forum for debate, discussion, and networking for those passionate about politics, governance and international affairs
• The International and Public Affairs Society:  a student-run society for all students in the Department of Political Science. The Society organises  social and fundraising events and endeavours to develop a strong and friendly community within the School of Public Policy (SPP).
• UCL Policy Lab: a research institute housed in the Department of Political Science that brings together ideas and everyday experience to tackle policy challenges
• UCL Social Data Institute: an institute led by the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences (SHS),  which works to amplify UCL’s advanced research and teaching in social data and methods.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and is taught by scholars who have carried out theoretical and empirical research in the field. The teaching and learning strategies are varied and diverse both within and across modules, incorporating active learning, group-based learning, creative learning, learning through discussion, as appropriate to the learning goals at hand. Political economy is methodological diverse and substantively wide-reaching, and our teaching methods reflect that diversity. 

The programme also highlights research-led teaching. In particular: 

• Our institutional and departmental excellence in political economy research means you will be taught by leaders in the field;
• The high level of methodological training means that you will be technically equipped with both qualitative and quantitative tools to pursue their own research questions, both within the programme (in the dissertation) and beyond it.

Taken together, this integrates research with teaching. Cutting-edge topics are brought into the seminar room for discussion and students are encouraged to carry out original research in these areas, for example as part of their dissertations.

Students are assessed in various ways, including essays, policy briefs, exams, portfolio work, presentations and a dissertation.

As a full-time student, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students use their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments (approximately 20-25 hours).

Part-time students study at a structured rate per week, normally half the rate of full-time study.