Political Economy
Overview
| This page was first published on 13 November 2025 and was last amended on 26 November 2025. View details of the changes below. |
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Political Economy focuses on the relationships between the economy, society, and political interests. It deals with important global and social challenges and asks what role can economic and social policies play in ensuring prosperity, equality, and sustainability.
The teaching of Political Economy centres on the proposition that study of the modern economy requires an understanding of its historical, institutional, political, social and geographical, and cultural contexts. This requires the analysis of complex issues such as: the dynamics of globalisation and the implications for national economic policies; economic instability, uneven development and inequality; and, the trade-offs between market and universal provision of health, education and social services, the financialisation of everyday life and insecurity, and, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Key research and teaching areas include:
- the global economy
- international finance and trade
- economic development and well-being
- the distribution of income and wealth
- economic, business cycles, growth and crisis
- energy and the environment
- race, gender and labour.
Studying political economy develops the skills required to analyse a range of economic issues of contemporary concern, including their social and political aspects.
Requirements for completion
The requirements of the major and minor in Political Economy are listed in the Political Economy unit of study table.
Honours
Honours in Political Economy is an additional year of full-time undergraduate study following completion of a bachelor’s degree with a major in the discipline. It provides high-achieving students an opportunity to develop research skills by undertaking advanced-level coursework and conducting a supervised but independent research project. The honours year adds greater depth to an undergraduate degree and provides a pathway to higher degree by research (e.g., PhD) studies. Honours graduates are sought after by employers who value their superior research, analytical, and communication skills.
Students complete:
- two ‘seminar’ units of study relevant to their research project: one core and one selective; and
- a substantial independent research project on an approved topic of their choice, culminating in the submission of a thesis of approximately 20,000 words. Students work on their thesis throughout the course, under the supervision of an academic staff member. The research should identify an area for investigation which makes an original contribution to knowledge.
Requirements and units of study for honours can be found in the Political Economy honours unit of study table.
Admission criteria
Honours in Political Economy may be undertaken in certain appended honours degrees such as the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (Honours).
Applicants must have:
- completed the requirements of a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, including a major in Political Economy with a minimum weighted average mark of 70, or an equivalent qualification; and
- For pre-July 2024 students undertaking a Bachelor of Advanced Studies: a second major.
Students interested in undertaking Honours should contact the Discipline Honours Coordinator during the final semester of their bachelor’s degree. Information on the application process is available on the Honours page.
