KBS_Icon_questionmark link-ico
Study at King’s

Go to…

Political Economy MA

Apply now

The Political Economy MA is a broadbased multidisciplinary course that will develop your critical understanding of the UK and global political and economic institutions. You will also acquire the theoretical skills necessary to engage with contemporary domestic and world affairs at an advanced level.


Key benefits

  • An interdisciplinary course utilising elements from the fields of politics, philosophy and economics.

  • Learn a wide range of theoretical approaches in political economy – both mainstream and heterodox.

  • Intensive study based on the relationship between institutional/empirical analysis and standards of ethical evaluation.

  • Located in the heart of London, the Department of Political Economy has a strong reputation for research-led teaching and links to industry.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration 1 year FT / 2 years PT, September to September

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180 / ECTS 90

Course leaders

Dr Rubén Ruiz-Rufino

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office

tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2979
fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7200

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Department Department of Political Economy

Locations

 

Explore campuses

Welcome to King's

In the heart of London

Discover the advantages of studying at one of the top 25 universities in the world and take a look at our central London campuses.

Watch more videos

Course detail

Description

The Political Economy MA is an innovative course designed to provide you with an understanding of the theory necessary to engage in the interdisciplinary analysis of political economy. The course will also equip you with essential research, analytical and critical thinking skills.

The course is made up of optional and required modules. You must take modules totalling a minimum of 180 credits and a maximum of 210 credits to meet the requirements of the qualification, 60 credits will come from a dissertation of around 15,000 words. You will study Key Concepts in Contemporary Political Economy and in addition to completing a required 15,000-word dissertation, you will also choose further related modules to support your study interests

Further literature

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/enquiry-form.aspx

Course format and assessment

Teaching

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study

Per 20-credit taught module, you can typically expect 20 hours of lectures, seminars and feedback. Each 20-credit module also has 180 hours worth of self-guided learning time. 

For the dissertation module, you can expect at least eight dissertation workshops plus one-to-one dissertation consultations. In addition you will have 592 hours worth of self-study and project work. 

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of written examinations and coursework. Typically, a 20-credit module will comprise of assessments, essays and a written examination, however assessment patterns may vary across modules. Grades awarded for each module will reflect your attendance and lecture participation. The assessment of the dissertation module will be by a 1,000-word research proposal (10%) and a 15,000-word dissertation (90%).

Regulating body
King's College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on this course page for updates. 

 

Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

If you are taking the part-time course, you will usually take Key Concepts in Contemporary Political Economy (40 credits) during the first year of your programme and the dissertation module in the second year of your programme.

 

 

Optional Modules

You will take an additional 80 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

If you are taking the part-time course, the Department will allow you to select how many optional modules you wish to take during Year 1 and during Year 2.

Students may take a maximum of 40 optional credits from level 7 modules outside of their programme’s approved module list, subject to approval by the Course Director.

Students may take an additional non-assessed 20 credit language module in addition to the required 180 credits.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Political Economy Entry Requirements
Minimum UK requirements 2:1

An honours degree at 2:1 standard or above in political science/government, economics or any relevant social science.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International requirements    Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band B Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £60 applies.

Applications may be made from the beginning of the academic session in September for the following year. Normally a decision will be made within four weeks of the receipt of all the required documentation being uploaded. Two members of academic staff assess the applications and you may be invited for interview - particularly if you are planning to study part-time while in relevant employment. Open days are also held, where applicants and those considering applying are given the opportunity to visit King's and meet members of the teaching team.

You will normally have a relevant UK honours degree of 2:1 standard or above in political science/government, economics or any relevant social science from a British or overseas university.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Political Economy checklist
Personal Statement Yes A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required. Please include a personal statement as to your interest in the programme when uploading your application details.
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

 

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.  Our first application deadline is the 29 March 2019.  Applications will remain open if places are available and programmes will be closed as soon as they are full.  

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home/EU fees: £12,300 per year (2019/20)
  • Full time overseas fees: £25,500 per year (2019/20)
  • Part time Home/EU fees: £6,150 per year (2019/20)
  • Part time overseas fees: £11,250 per year (2019/20)

Students starting their programme in 2019/20 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2020/21.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March 2019, payment is due by 27th April 2019.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st April 2019 and 30th June 2019, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st July 2019 and 31st July 2019, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August 2019, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for: 

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
  • Graduation costs

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Studying a degree with the Department of Political Economy equips students with certain skills required in the public and private sectors, and for work in civil organisations. A typical postgraduate student will gain strong theoretical and empirical skills for the analysis of complex economic and political phenomena. These skills are highly valued in fields such as finance, consultancy, law and the civil service. 

 

Career destinations

On completing this course you may progress into a variety of careers in the public, private and civil sectors. Recent career destinations include:

  • Junior political consultant
  • Public affairs executive
  • Financial analyst.

Testimonials

Ginette

Ginette

"I really enjoyed the interdisciplinary character of this programme. My aim was to get a better understanding of economics as I experienced just how powerful and influential economic considerations are in private and public decision-making. Political Economy teaches you how this process occurs by drawing from economic, political and philosophical theory and practice."

Next steps

Upcoming events

Sep 7 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 7 September

Full list of student events

View our postgraduate guide

Learn more about postgraduate degree programmes at King's. Download or view our guide in PDF format.

Download guide

View online

Sound like the course for you?

Apply now

Explore King’s

Accommodation Take a look at our comfortable, safe residences to suit your budget, located close to King's teaching campuses. 
Student life Art, food, music, shopping – you'll never find yourself with nothing to do in the world's most vibrant city.
Extra-curricular Discover the huge variety of extra-curricular opportunities at King’s, from MOOCs to language courses.
London living With four campuses by the River Thames and one in south London, King's is right in the heart of the capital.