Join an international political economy course you can study flexibly online.
Develop your understanding of international political economy (IPE).
IPE is a field of study that examines the complex interplay between politics and economics around the world.
In this Masters-level online short course, you’ll:
- study the foundational theories of IPE
- investigate how political forces shape the global economy, and vice versa
- learn to analyse contemporary global issues like neoliberalism, international trade, financialisation, poverty, and inequality
- explore emerging perspectives in IPE, including postcolonial political economy.
Interdisciplinary learning
You’ll develop interdisciplinary skills in this course, which integrates politics and economics, to equip you with analytical tools to engage with real-world issues.
Who can join this international political economy course?
This online course is ideal for students, researchers, and professionals seeking to understand the intersection of global politics and economics.
The course is valuable learning for:
- those pursuing a career in policymaking, international trade, or development
- academics exploring critical and postcolonial approaches to IPE, or
- lifelong learners interested in global justice.
Build credits towards a Masters degree
This online course is part of online:
You can use the credits you earn with this short course towards this MSc qualification.
What you’ll study
In this course, you’ll focus on international political economy (IPE), exploring how politics and the economy interact.
You’ll examine:
- the theories and themes central to understanding the field of IPE
- a range of approaches for analysing the global political economy
- how to analyse developments in this area, and
- the emerging sub-field of scholarship on postcolonial political economy.
You’ll explore questions like:
- how do politics and economics intersect to produce specific patterns of the global distribution of wealth and poverty?
- how have recent IPE changes, such as financialisation and the 2008 crisis, impacted efforts to mitigate poverty and inequality?
You’ll cover topics including:
- what is IPE? Theory and history
- race and the making of global capitalism
- liberal approaches to IPE: classical and neo-classical foundations
- critical approaches to IPE
- gender and IPE – the role of social reproduction
- gender studies
- neoliberalism: genesis and history
- the IPE of international trade
- financialisation and the transformation of IPE
- national income inequality: key debates
- global poverty
- post-development.
By the end of this IPE course, you’ll be able to...
-
Describe the principal theories of international political economy that inform the scholarly study of the global distribution of wealth and poverty.
-
Appreciate how theoretical knowledge shapes global political economic policymaking.
-
Apply critical-thinking skills to evaluate different perspectives on substantive issues in IPE.
-
Discuss how different understandings of the state / market boundary impact the international distribution of wealth and poverty.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online political economy courses
8th in the UK for International Relations
We’re ranked 8th in the UK for International Relations by the Guardian University Guide 2025.
Fits around full-time work
This course is designed to fit around work. With flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
You’re in expert hands
Founded in 1495, we’re an ancient UK university that’s been delivering online teaching for decades.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning political economy course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:
- videos
- recorded video lectures
- live online session
- quizzes
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your tutors and peers
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Live online teaching
One live online session will be arranged for this course where you can ask your tutor questions and discuss the course material. Depending on the class size, this could be one-to-one or a group session.
Your tutors
This course is delivered by the School of Social Science.
You’ll learn from expert academics with strong research credentials in this field.
This course is assessed online.
You’ll be assessed throughout the course via:
- two short peer-reviewed essays (each worth 30% of your final course grade)
- an online quiz (30%)
- your contributions to a blog / discussion board (10%).
This course totals approximately 300 hours of study and assessment time.
That’s around 15 – 20 hours per week in regular topic work and independent study, with more time required around assessments.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.
You can largely set your own study hours to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There may be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies.
You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen, Microsoft Teams, or phone. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinator
Dr Ritu Vij
Ritu is a Senior Lecturer in our Department of Politics and International Relations.
She specialises in International Relations Theory, Human and Critical Security, and International Political Economy.
Ritu has extensive teaching and research experience, including affiliations with leading universities in Japan and funding from prestigious organisations including the British Academy, the Carnegie Trust, and the Social Science Research Council (USA).
View Ritu’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 30 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards our online:
Masters in International Relations
Join us online to develop a deep, critical understanding of contemporary global challenges, power structures, and the evolving nature of international politics.
Also available to study to Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) or Postgraduate Certificate level (60 credits)
View MSc International RelationsCareers
You’ll complete this course with a firm grasp of the important concepts, approaches, and debates in the study of IPE.
You’ll possess valuable skills for careers that require the critical analysis of developments in this area of international relations, which could include:
- public sector research and policymaking
- diplomacy
- public advocacy
- roles within non-governmental organisations (NGOS) or institutions such as the European Union or the United Nations
- careers in the international media, the armed forces, international risk management, and international corporations involved in trade and finance.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online courses
Flexible
Flexible hours and 24/7 access, so you can study when it suits you.
Learn anywhere
On smartphone, desktop and laptop, with no need for a student visa.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off this online course.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
This course uses our Postgraduate Higher level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening and speaking
- 65 for reading and writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Skills for English: SELT
- B2 pass with merit
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening and speaking
- 105 for reading and writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Learning resources
Access to all the essential books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
We also provide optional recommended reading lists. Many of these resources are available electronically through our library, although purchases may be required if you wish to read the full list.
Printing
You may want to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- relevant professional experience that supports this level of learning.
