MA International Politics and Economics

Choose Kingston’s International Politics and Economics MA

The International Politics and Economics MA is an exciting course that links politics, economics and globalisation. It provides both solid subject knowledge and transferable skills that are highly valued in the professional world.

The course primarily offers the opportunity to:

• obtain a background in the political and economic aspect of globalisation;
• build and develop skills in communicating politics and economics at an advanced level;
• extend your ability to write coherently and with precision;
• present decision supporting reports verbally and in writing.

In so doing, the typical requirements for those employed in government or private organisations are addressed – clear, lucid communication rather than highly technical analysis. The distinctive aspect of the course is the development of students’ ability to write and present decision supporting documents in the area of international politics and economics.

What will you study?

Seminars and presentations will be a forum for students to present different arguments to each other, and to learn how to respond to criticism from sometimes diametrically opposed perspectives.

Comprehension and evaluation of theories of international relations is a crucial aspect of the course, as is knowledge and critical understanding of the impact of globalisation on the international economy. This basis is enhanced by an intense examination of the current system of global economic governance, the international political economy and the global impact of environmental issues. In addition to developing a strong grasp and critical understanding of the economic and political foundations of international interactions, you will develop skills in formulating and criticising policy. Research skills are built through the dedicated research skills module and in the assessed work for specific modules. The development of your ability to write and present decision supporting documents in the area of international politics and economics, features particularly in the dissertation module.

This is a coherent and focussed programme, providing an enjoyable course of study that throws light on the policy making aspects of international economic decisions, and will increase your employment prospects after graduation.

You will take two core modules and then choose two out of four option modules, at least one of which should be from economics and one from politics. You are required to complete a dissertation, testing the range of skills acquired throughout the course. The topic of the project will be negotiated with your dissertation co-ordinator and supervisor. The dissertation project will also enable you to develop and hone your research skills and integrate the multifarious aspects of the course.