University of Sydney
Master of Political Economy
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
The master's program will provide you with a deep knowledge of current economic challenges and trends.
Course overview
The Master of Political Economy focuses on how economic life is shaped by political, institutional, social, cultural and historical factors, and explores different theoretical traditions to ask a variety of questions about markets, the state and households.
This postgraduate coursework degree will develop your critical analysis and communication skills, enabling you to engage with a range of theoretical perspectives and their practical applications in all areas of public policy.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To qualify for the award, a candidate must complete 72 credit points (CP), comprising:
- A minimum of 18 CP from core units of study.
- A minimum of 18 CP from selective units of study.
- A minimum of 24 CP from elective units of study.
- A minimum of six CP of capstone units of study.
The selective or elective units of study may include an optional specialisation in Social Research or Country Risk Assessment.
Each unit is valued at six CP.
- Political Economy: A Primer
- Dynamics of Economic Change
- History of Australian Capitalism
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Entry in the one year or one and a half years degree program is determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) criteria below:
Admission to candidature for the Master of Political Economy (1.5 years full-time) requires:
- A bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65 per cent) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, including a major in the social sciences, or an equivalent qualification.
Admission to candidature for the Master of Political Economy (1 year full-time) requires:
- Completion of the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Political Economy with a minimum credit (65 per cent) average, or an equivalent qualification.
- An honours degree in a relevant discipline.
- Relevant professional work experience and a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65 per cent) average or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the master’s degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the master’s after successful completion of the shorter course.
English language requirements
You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study this course.
If English is your first language you may be able to meet the requirements if you have:
- Citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum 10 years).
- Completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the university in an approved English-speaking country.
If English is not your first language you may be able to prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test taken within two years of commencing the course.
- IELTS score: a minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band.
- TOEFL - IBT score: a minimum result of 96 overall including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- Pearson Test of English: a minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band.
The university may also consider factors such as previous studies in English. Contact them for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
- Fast-track your studies: You can reduce the length and cost of your studies for this course based on the RPL criteria outlined by the university.
- Applying for credit/RPL: Check the RPL webpage of the university to make sure you follow the required credit application process. The RPL information provided is a guide, all assessments of RPL will be undertaken by the faculty team once an application is submitted.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
With this qualification, you may explore a career as:
- Policy analyst and researcher for government, think tanks, consultancies, peak industry bodies
- Business and government consultant
- Public sector positions
- Economics and business journalist
Fees and CSP
Indicative Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) fee in 2025: $16,992 (CSP paying place)
Indicative first year fee in 2025: $31,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.