International Political Economy BSc (Hons)

at City University of London

Our International Political Economy BSc is designed to meet increasing demand for an interdisciplinary course that prepares students for both the public and private job markets.
 

This bespoke programme – the first degree in IPE in the UK – provides training in a range of conceptual and analytical skills. These will help you analyse the challenges facing decision-makers in business and politics in the global age.
 

You will be able to analyse complex dynamics of the global markets, financial systems and national political structures. You’ll have the skills and knowledge to draw connections between economic, political and social processes driving major changes on the global scene.

• Study politics, the economy and society as a whole, developing a fully integrated understanding of the world’s changing economic and political topography

• Receive interdisciplinary training from the largest concentration of world-renowned experts in IPE and related fields

• Benefit from our close links to business, the financial sector, policy-makers and think tanks
   

Develop data literacy, analytical skills and in-depth understanding of micro- and macro-economic theory that are sought-after a wide range of careers.
 

Course content
 

During the three years of this International Political Economy BSc degree, you will take an integrated approach to studying politics, the economy and society, with interdisciplinary teaching from across the social sciences.
 

Year 1
 

• Studying Politics (15 credits)

• Introduction to Political and Economic Data Analysis (15 credits)

• Principles of Economics I: Markets and Prices (15 credits)

• Principles of Economics II: Countries and Systems (15 credits)

• Introduction to Political Economy (15 credits)

• The Making of Modern World Economy (15 credits)

• Emerging Powers in a Changing World (15 credits)

• Myth and Mysteries of World Politics (15 credits)
   

  Year 2
   

• Transnational Social Movements (15 credits)

• Advanced Theories of Global Politics (15 credits)

• States and Markets in the Era of Globalization (15 credits)

• Security Studies: Conceptual Approaches (15 credits)

• Security Studies: Contemporary and Emerging Issues (15 credits)

• Foreign Policy Analysis : Theories and Issues (15 credits)

• Foreign Policy Analysis: Instruments and Practice (15 credits)

• Religion and Politics in the Age of Global Change (15 credits)

• Comparative Political Economy (15 credits)

• Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics (15 credits)

• Politics of the USA (15 credits)

• Comparative Asian Politics (15 credits)

• Analysing Political and Economic Data in the Real World (15 credits)

• Advanced Principles of Economics: Financial Markets and Corporate Systems (15 credits)

• Political Risk Analysis (15 credits)

• Violent Politics: Riots, Civil wars & State repression (15 credits)

• Political Psychology: Reason & Emotion in Politics (15 credits)

• Theories of International Political Economy (15 credits)

• Practical Politics (15 credits)

• Fifty Shades of Red – Russia in the Twentieth Century (15 credits)

• The American Century: The United States in the Twentieth Century (15 credits)

• Cultures of Benevolence: Philanthropy and Civil Society from 1601 to the Present (15 credits)

• The Making of Modern Japan (15 credits)

• India in the Eighteenth Century (15 credits)

• New Media Challenges (15 credits)

• Understanding Social Change (15 credits)

• Contemporary Social Theory (15 credits)

• Sociology of Race and Racism (15 credits)

• Humanitarian Reporting (15 credits)

• Data Journalism (15 credits)

• Slavery, Colonialism and Revolution in the Caribbean (15 credits)

• Language modules (15 credits)

• Micro-Placement (15 credits)
   

  The module seeks to enhance career exploration and will provide you with professional level experience in the form of a self-contained project with one of City’s external employer partners. Completing the Micro-Placement module at level 5 will preclude you having the option to take the Micro-Placement elective module at level 6.
   

  Year 3
   

• Final Year Dissertation Project (45 credits)

• The Global Politics of Forced Migration (15 credits)

• Advanced Topics in International Political Economy (15 credits)

• Global Governance (15 credits)

• American Foreign Policy (15 credits)

• The Global Political Economy of Development (15 credits)

• Political Change in Europe (15 credits)

• Governance of the Global Economy (15 credits)

• Global Money and Finance (15 credits)

• Global Ethics: Power and Principle in World Politics (15 credits)

• The Theory and Practice of Conflict and Peace (15 credits)

• Technology, Money, Power (15 credits)

• Political Economy of Global Inequality (15 credits)

• Ethnicity and nationalism: Global comparisons (15 credits)

• Geopolitical Macroeconomy (15 credits)

• Advanced Political and Economic Data Analysis (15 credits)

• The Multinational Corporation: Governance, Politics, Ethics (15 credits)

• Sexuality and Gender in World Politics (15 credits)

• Radicals and Reformers: LeftWing Politics and Activism in Britain and the World since 1945 (15 credits)

• Revolution: Rebels and Riots in Modern History (15 credits)

• Comparative Empires in the Modern Era (15 credits)

• Genocide and the Holocaust in History and Memory (15 credits)

• Disruptive Divas. Riot Grrrls and Bad Sistas: A History of Women in Popular Music (15 credits)

• Poverty: What Counts? (15 credits)

• Global Migration Processes (15 credits)

• International News (15 credits)

• Reporting Business (15 credits)

• Latin American Politics and Political Economy (15 credits)

• Micro-Placement (15 credits)

• Industry Projects (15 credits)

• Year Placement: Integrated Professional Training (15 credits)

• Language modules (15 modules)

• UK
   

  A-level:

  BBB
   

  Tariff:

  120 UCAS tariff points
   

  International Baccalaureate:

  30 points with 5 or better in three Higher Level subjects
   

  BTEC:

  DDM
   

  GCSE:

  A minimum of grade 4 (C) in GCSE English Language and Mathematics in addition to other outlined requirements.
   

  Contextual offers

  We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care or are the first in their family to enter Higher Education. Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

  Read our contextual admissions policy for eligibility criteria and further information.
   

  Mixed qualifications

  Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A-levels and a BTEC qualification.

  In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A-level Mathematics at grade B.'
   

  Subject exclusions

  We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.
   

  Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

  We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

  The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
   

  AS levels

  We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
   

  University preparation programmes

  If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
   

  Access to Higher Education

  We welcome Access course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.

  A typical offer for an Access applicant would be: Pass 60 credits, 45 Level 3 including at least 27 at distinction and the remaining 18 at merit. The Access qualification should be supplemented by at least a grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English Language at GCSE.

   

  English language requirements
   

  If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

  IELTS:

  6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

  EFL requirements grade B in GCSE (or International GCSE)

  PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component.

Fees for year 2022/23
 

UK

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£16,010

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/ 23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

Career
 

A degree in International Political Economy is designed to prepare graduates for a career in the public or private sector.

You will develop highly sought-after analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of politics and economics. You will be able to analyse complex dynamics of the global markets, financial systems and national political structures.
 

As a result, graduates will be suited to a wide range of career options including:

• Global corporate sector

• Banking

• Finance

• Civil Service

• International diplomatic corps

• Global media

• International organisations.