Global Political Economy

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School of Politics and International Studies · Social sciences

Explore the most pressing global political economy challenges facing humanity today. Global political economy helps us understand how power and wealth are produced, distributed and contested across the world. Economic decisions made by governments, corporations and international institutions shape everything from our households to the world market. In a world marked by climate change, financial instability, global pandemics, widening inequalities and geopolitical conflict, global political economy provides the tools to analyse why these challenges emerge, who benefits from existing systems and who bears their costs. This programme focuses on how governance agendas and their impact are experienced, negotiated and responded to in everyday lives, allowing you to compare and assess how policymakers and communities seek change. You’ll explore the frontiers of global political economy and examine how other disciplines engage with political economy topics and concepts. In conjunction with a firm grounding in the key theories and concepts of global political economy, you’ll analyse powerful global economic governance agencies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, alongside the firms, sectors and markets that generate many of the global conflicts, instabilities, crises and challenges we face. In the first semester, we tackle the key concepts and frameworks for political economy analysis. In the second semester, you’ll explore how sectors, markets and firms are linked to food and health insecurities, unemployment, job precarity, poverty, climate change and pollution. Why study at Leeds - Expert teaching team: Our global tutors provide intellectual and practical responses to many global challenges, including climate change, global health, water and food insecurities, the gendered dynamics of political economy, and the multiple personal, corporate and national crises experienced under neoliberal capitalism. - Research-focused: This course features research-led teaching in the dynamic field of global political economy. - Informed by real-world events: Our research approach is most often grounded in the real-world experiences, conflicts, challenges and struggles of communities and classes living in the global north and south. Read more about our research and expertise in the school. Rankings and awards 18th in the world for Development Studies, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026 Top 20 in the UK for Politics, The Complete University Guide 2026 Where this degree could take you You’ll gain a wide range of professional skills on top of your subject knowledge. You’ll have an understanding of project design and management in a development context, as well as be able to analyse quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll be able to construct clear arguments, critically assess different options for action, analyse policy documents, write research reports and give presentations. You’ll also be trained to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations. Our course equips you for various career paths. Compatible careers include working in international development agencies, international organisations, governments, politics, NGOs, research organisations, policy-making, companies, sectoral or economic analysis, media, and academia. Career support Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

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