MA in Political Economy
The ESRC-recognised MA in Political Economy offers an exciting and unique cross-disciplinary curriculum of study in political economy.
The programme is taught by academic staff drawn from across the Faculty of Humanities, in the School of Social Sciences, the School of Environment and Development and the Manchester Business School. Each student will pursue their particular interests in political economy through one of four pathways:
- Theoretical Political Economy
- Political Economy of Society, Space and Environment
- Political Economy of Finance, Business and Work
- Political Economy of Development
Each pathway offers courses drawn from across the different disciplines in the schools, offering the student a unique exposure to the full breadth of the field of political economy.
The MA is housed in the Political Economy Institute, through which students benefit from an vibrant world-class research environment for their studies.
Content
All students take a core module, Theoretical Approaches to Political Economy, which provides a thorough grounding in both classical and contemporary theories of political economy and introduces the basic concepts of the discipline. Each pathway also has its own core modules, and students are able to select their preferred core modules in their chosen pathway.
Core pathway modules for the 2009/10 session include:
• Central Concepts in Political Economy
• Marxian Political Economy
• Poverty, Inequality And Government Policy In Less Developed Countries
• Politics, Economics and Environment
• Environment and Development
• Issues in Environmental Policy
• Industry, the Corporation and Government
• Business & Politics under Advanced Capitalism
• Global Politics and Global Business
• Political Economy of Development
• Growth Development & Economic Transformation
Students are then required to select a number of optional modules appropriate to their chosen pathway.
The programme can be taken through a research route which offers training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods that prepare students for doctoral research. Taught units comprise two thirds of the programme. The remainder of the programme consists of a 15,000-word dissertation on a substantial issue in political economy.
Course Guidelines
The Full Details of the course guidelines can be found at
Application procedures
Applicants are expected to have a first or upper second class degree or its international equivalent. We welcome applicants from a range of degree backgrounds, including Economics, Politics, Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology, and Geography.
For further information or for informal discussions about the degree course, please contact Professor John O’Neill, Philosophy, School of Social Sciences. The Graduate Office will be happy to deal with all queries about applications and admissions procedures (gsoss@manchester.ac.uk).
Full details of the course, its requirements and application procedures can be found below.