MSc Political Economy of Europe

at London School of Economics

You will take two compulsory half unit courses, optional courses to the value of two units, and a compulsory dissertation. One unit (or two half-unit courses) must be taken from a list of specialist courses on the political economy of Europe, taught by core staff in the Political Economy group. The other unit can be taken from a wider list of courses offered at the European Institute (including courses on EU governance and European identity) or, with permission, from another MSc degree at the LSE.

 

You will also take How do we know? An introduction to research design and methods in political economy and attend Engaging with Europe: Professional Skills. This is a programme designed for your professional development. Additional training sessions and thematic workshops are offered throughout the year. 

 

(* denotes a half unit)

 

Two from the below three options:

 

Political Economy in Theory and History*
Explores how the relation between state and economy in both Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe has evolved over the post-war period and how historical political-economic development and theories of the political economy have interacted throughout that period.

 

Political Economy of Integration and Fragmentation in Europe*
Considers key contemporary questions for the political economy of Europe, especially in relation to recent and past crises of economic and political integration and the attempts to complete and reform the existing union.

 

Concepts in Political Economy*
Examines historical and current debates about the nature of political economy, the role of institutions and the pros and cons of different methodological approaches taken by political economists. 

 

Additionally:

 

Courses to the value of two units from a range of options

 

Dissertation 
You write a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic broadly related to the political economy of Europe. You will receive guidance and supervision during three teaching terms and are expected to write your dissertation during the summer.

 

Engaging with Europe: Professional Skills (unassessed)
This is a programme of guest lectures from distinguished outside speakers, including business leaders and policy-makers and is designed for your professional development.

 

How do we know? An introduction to research design and methods in political economy (unassessed)
This course raises awareness for ontological and epistemological challenges in political economy and offers guidance on how to develop research questions. It further introduces students to the logic of case study research, most similar and most dissimilar research designs and offers an introduction into the logic of quantitative methods and notably regression analysis.

Minimum entry requirements for MSc Political Economy of Europe

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any of the social sciences, including politics, economics, European studies, contemporary history or international relations.

 

In exceptional cases, strong candidates who do not have the appropriate academic background may be required to take a specified related LSE summer school course and obtain a specified grade as a condition of admission.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

 

Tuition fees 2022/23 for MSc Political Economy of Europe
Home students: £24,456
Overseas students: £24,456

Quick Careers Facts for the European Institute
Median salary of our PG students six months after graduating: £31,000

 

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Management consultancy activities
• Public administration and defence
• Extraterritorial organisations
• Financial service activities
• Information service activities

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2017-18 were the first group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling.

 

Former graduates pursue successful careers in politics, business, diplomacy, consultancy and journalism, and in international organisations and financial institutions. Students from this programme are actively headhunted by companies and international organisations working in the region.