International Political Economy MA

Program Overview

The University of Sussex's International Political Economy MA program explores the global economy's impact on society, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of its social, political, and economic dimensions. The program offers core and optional modules, allowing for specialization, and provides opportunities for field trips, placements, and doctoral studies. It prepares graduates for careers in international organizations, development agencies, and academia, among others.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The International Political Economy MA program at the University of Sussex is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program that starts in September 2024. It provides students with innovative perspectives on the global economy's reshaping of society, including its impact on policy, the environment, and social inequalities. The program aims to equip students with a deep understanding of the social and political aspects of economic shifts, exploring innovative practices and policies that drive change. Students will gain novel perspectives on:

• Neoliberalism and alternatives
• Financial crises, debt, and austerity
• Rising powers and global governance
• Development and inequality
• Multinational corporations
The program is taught within one of the largest departments of International Relations in Europe, boasting a multidisciplinary environment, interdisciplinary approach, and cutting-edge research.

Outline:

The program is structured around core modules and optional modules, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.

Core Modules:

• Autumn Teaching:
• Neoliberalism and the Global Economy in an Age of Crises
• Spring Teaching:
• Research Methods and Professional Skills (IR)
• Summer Teaching:
• Dissertation (International Political Economy)

Optional Modules:

• Spring Teaching:
• Fair Trade, Ethical Business & New Moral Economies
• Global Health: Development, Security and Inequality
• Managing Economic Instability
• Russia, Eurasia and the Crisis of the Liberal West
• The Global Politics of Environment, Justice and Development
• The Political Economy of Development
• Summer Teaching:
• Dissertation with Placement (Global Studies)

Field Trip:

The program offers optional self-funded field trips to London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium. These trips aim to foster student interaction and engagement with policymakers and practitioners from various international organizations.

Placements:

Students can apply for optional placements to gain experience and enhance their employability. Research placements run for up to 12 weeks during the summer term and vacation. Students can also base their dissertation on their placement experience.

Teaching:

The program is taught within a multidisciplinary environment, utilizing an interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge research.

Careers:

The International Political Economy MA program prepares students for careers in:

• International organizations
• Development agencies
• NGOs
• Journalism
• Private sector roles requiring knowledge of the global political and economic system
The program also provides a strong foundation for doctoral studies and academic careers.

Other:

The program is hosted by the world-renowned Centre for Global Political Economy, the Sussex Centre for Global Insecurities Research, and the Centre for Advanced International Theory. The program offers optional placements and field trips to enhance student experience and employability. The program is committed to helping students identify placements. The program's careers database showcases recent graduate destinations, including research officer, chairperson, and manager account development roles.