Global Political Economy MA
Year of entry 2026
- Start date
- September 2026
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 Months (Full time)
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a social science, humanities, or related discipline.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component
- UK fees
- £12,750 (Total)
- International fees
- £26,500 (Total)
- Contact
- pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Explore the most pressing global political economy challenges facing humanity today.
Global political economy helps us understand how power and wealth are produced, distributed and contested across the world. Economic decisions made by governments, corporations and international institutions shape everything from our households to the world market. In a world marked by climate change, financial instability, global pandemics, widening inequalities and geopolitical conflict, global political economy provides the tools to analyse why these challenges emerge, who benefits from existing systems and who bears their costs.
This programme focuses on how governance agendas and their impact are experienced, negotiated and responded to in everyday lives, allowing you to compare and assess how policymakers and communities seek change. You’ll explore the frontiers of global political economy and examine how other disciplines engage with political economy topics and concepts.
In conjunction with a firm grounding in the key theories and concepts of global political economy, you’ll analyse powerful global economic governance agencies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, alongside the firms, sectors and markets that generate many of the global conflicts, instabilities, crises and challenges we face. In the first semester, we tackle the key concepts and frameworks for political economy analysis. In the second semester, you’ll explore how sectors, markets and firms are linked to food and health insecurities, unemployment, job precarity, poverty, climate change and pollution.
Why study at Leeds
Expert teaching team: Our global tutors provide intellectual and practical responses to many global challenges, including climate change, global health, water and food insecurities, the gendered dynamics of political economy, and the multiple personal, corporate and national crises experienced under neoliberal capitalism.
Research-focused: This course features research-led teaching in the dynamic field of global political economy.
Informed by real-world events: Our research approach is most often grounded in the real-world experiences, conflicts, challenges and struggles of communities and classes living in the global north and south. Read more about our research and expertise in the school.
School of Politics and International Studies
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Course details and modules
This course focuses on the development of advanced analytical skills in several key areas of global political economy research.
The compulsory modules studied will give you:
- critical thinking and insights from a range of cultures, disciplines and researchers
- training in the uses and understandings/interpretations of data from business, international and scholarly databases (without statistical or modelling skills being required)
- the practical application of critical insights in case studies and experiential learning-based teaching
- a mix of individual and team-based assessments for real-world stakeholders in international issues
- grounding in issues, institutions, ideas, and key economic sectors
- focus and knowledge of the Global South and North
- access to an interdisciplinary teaching team with expertise in political economy, International Relations, Development, Anthropology, Public Health and Sociology.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Theories and Concepts in Global Political Economy | 30 |
| Capitalism in Practice | 30 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, online learning and workshops. Tutors also provide you with individual advice on written work and you should begin to develop expertise in improving your work through face-to-face discussion with your tutors, formative assessment and through detailed feedback. You’ll be expected to carry out a good deal of independent, detailed and considered study.
You’ll also benefit from the external seminar series running through the entire course, with experts and practitioners working on a range of global challenges.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Each module is assessed separately, through assessments that range from long essays to projects and assignments, offering you the opportunity to work in your particular field of interest within each topic area. You will also carry out a dissertation in a research area of your choice.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or a non-UK equivalent in a social science, humanities, or another related discipline (that includes a minimum of five social science and humanities modules).
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Friday 26 June 2026
UK – Friday 14 August 2026
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2027
This course is taught by
School of Politics and International Studies
Contact us
School of Politics and International Studies
Email: pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £12,750 (Total)
International: £26,500 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below:
- Scholarships for International students
- Scholarships and funding for UK students
- Your subject area may also offer scholarships
The School usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities.
Career opportunities
Where this degree could take you
You’ll gain a wide range of professional skills on top of your subject knowledge. You’ll have an understanding of project design and management in a development context, as well as be able to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
You’ll be able to construct clear arguments, critically assess different options for action, analyse policy documents, write research reports and give presentations. You’ll also be trained to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.
Our course equips you for various career paths. Compatible careers include working in international development agencies, international organisations, governments, politics, NGOs, research organisations, policy-making, companies, sectoral or economic analysis, media, and academia.
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By the UK's leading employers
Careers support
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.
- Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
- Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
- Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
- MyCareer system —– access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
- Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.
Guaranteed industry experience
The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. You’ll connect with leading companies worldwide to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real business challenges.