Design: Product, Space and the Creative Economy

The course covers Neoclassical, Post Keynesian and Marxist theories and applies them to contemporary issues of austerity policy, neoliberalism, financialisation and globalisation. It is excellent preparation for a range of employment possibilities in government agencies, think tanks, research institutes or in international agencies such as the International Labor Organization.

What will you study?

In the Political Economy MA you will acquire a rigorous and broad-based understanding of the discipline of political economy and an ability to do research in this field. Core background knowledge is delivered through the modules Macro Theory & Policy and Economic Change & Ideas, the first of which gives a comprehensive review of macroeconomics from theoretical and policy perspective, while the latter gives a detailed review of capitalism from its emergence to contemporary globalisation, as well as the parallel developments in political economy. The two modules focused on political economy are Political Economy: Effective Demand, Exploitation and Unemployment, which offers a rigorous development of present-day competing political economy paradigms, and Financialisation, Globalisation and Economic Policy, and pursues an advanced analysis of the processes of globalisation and financialisation of contemporary capitalism and uses it as a basis for discussion of economic policy. These modules serve as excellent preparation to pursue high-level research into an applied economic policy topic in the dissertation. You will work individually with a member of staff to choose a topic for your dissertation, research this topic and write up your conclusions.

On successful completion of the programme you will have acquired a precise and professional knowledge of the procedures used to analyse current issues in political economy.

Assessment

Class tests, essays, examinations, graded exercises, practical coursework, presentations, take-home tests, dissertation, literature review and economic reports.

Core modules

• Economic Change and Ideas
• Financialisation, Globalisation and Economic Policy
• Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
• Political Economy: Effective Demand, Exploitation and Crisis
• Economics Dissertation

What you need to apply for this courseOne or more of the following will normally be regarded as appropriate admission requirements:Successful completion of a certified programme of study in an area appropriate to the content of the degree (normally a good second-class honours undergraduate degree or its equivalent, including, where appropriate, quantitative methods having been studied to an appropriate standard); strong academic performance in other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.Relevant non-certificated learning.An appropriate combination of certificated and non-certificated learning.All certificated and non-certificated learning will require verification. In the case of certificated learning, this will require the presentation of relevant certificates and/or confirmation from the award giving body. In the case of non-certificated learning, verification will be established in the course of the interview to which all applicants will be invited, or, where appropriate, through the submission of supporting documentation and evidence. Where the evidence of the fulfilment of the appropriate admission requirements is inconclusive, the applicant may be asked to complete a written exercise. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Discount for Kingston University alumniAll alumni of Kingston University, who have been awarded a bachelors degree are entitled to a 10% discount on their tuition fees.The alumni discount of 10% applies to home, EU and overseas fee payers.Annual Fund postgraduate scholarshipsThe Development Office offers a number of postgraduate scholarships for UK and EU students.They are available for all courses (except teacher training/PGCE courses) and will pay 50% of the fees (up to £3,000 for the 2013/14 academic year) for a one-year full-time or two year part-time masters programme.International scholarshipsThe International Office offers awards totalling £200,000 every year, with each international scholarship worth £3,500. These are open to prospective full-time postgraduates in any subject area on a one-year taught masters degree based at Kingston University.You might also be eligible for an international loyalty bursary if you are an overseas Kingston University alumnus or have a family connection with the University.