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MRes Political Economy

Different course options

Study mode

Full time

Duration

2 years

Start date

03-OCT-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MRes - Master of Research

Subject areas

Economics Politics

Course type

Research

Course Summary

Over the last three decades, political economy has been one of the fastest growing approaches in the social sciences. If you are interested in how institutions shape the behaviour of political actors and how political decisions influence markets and vice versa, then you will profit from our course.

Our MRes Political Economy is a two-year course, designed to give you additional training in research design and research methods compared to an MSc or MA. You study modules on political economics and research methods across your two years, while developing a 35,000-word dissertation.

At Essex, we are primarily interested in the study of political institutions and how they might determine economic variables. Our MSc Political Economy covers all aspects of modern political economy, including:

  • Micro and macroeconomics
  • The quality of governance
  • Monetary policy choices
  • Mathematical Methods
  • Environmental policies
  • Market failure

Run jointly between our Department of Economics and our Department of Government, our MRes Political Economy offers excellent preparation for PhD study, combining substantive political economy modules with additional training in research design and research methods. You learn how to develop theories, conduct research, and explore the empirical implications of theoretical models using the most appropriate empirical methods.

Your future

An MRes puts you in a particularly strong position to succeed in a research degree. We offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government; ideology and discourse analysis; international relations; political behaviour; and politics.

Our academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of our graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at: Mannheim, Germany; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Duke University, USA; NATO/SHAPE, Belgium; and University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Other recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:

  • The Civil Service
  • Local government
  • The World Bank
  • The United Nations
  • NATO
  • YouGov and YouGov America

Modules

This module presents quantitative methods essential to test hypotheses in political science. After introducing the statistical computing environment R and associated document preparation software tools as well as bivariate hypothesis testing, linear regression using ordinary least squares estimation is covered in depth as the workhorse model for statistical inference in political science. The second half of the module will cover extensions for temporal and multilevel data and introduce methods for causal inference.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£10,000

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£21,700

Entry requirements

You need a 2.2 degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Studies, American Studies, United States Politics, Economics, Finance or Statistics OR a 2.2 degree in any subject which includes study in two relevant modules. Relevant modules include, but are not limited to: Comparative Political Systems, Constitutional Democracy, Contemporary World Affairs, Current Affairs, Democratic Theory, Econometrics, European Integration/Dynamics of Integration, Foreign Policy/Comparative Foreign Policy, Game Theory, Governmental Processes/Systems, Human Rights, Ideology and Political Analysis, International Economics Law, International Economics Relations, International Trade/Business Law, International Law, International Public Relations, International Security, Law of Armed Conflict, Micro/Macro Economics, Peace Studies, Philosophy (MA Political Theory only), Political Conflict, Political Decision Making, Political Economy, Political Sociology, Public Administration, Public International Law, Public Policy Analysis, Quantitative Reasoning, Security Studies, Strategic Studies, Terrorism, and Theories of Development. We will also consider applicants with a 2.2 degree in an unrelated subject and have at least six months relevant work experience such as working with a NGO.

University information

The University of Essex prides itself on being at the forefront of change. It is an institution with a culture of boldness where creativity and curiosity in learning are both encouraged and expected. It’s a UK university, placing 36th and 32nd according to the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023 and the 2024 Complete University Guide rankings, respectively. At the University of Essex, students are taught by world-leading academics in a...more

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