Political
Economy
About the programme
Choose the knowledge of leaders!
- Exceptional Career Opportunities: The programme opens doors to top roles in consulting, public administration, media, and research.
- Develop Critical Analytical Skills: Sharpen your analytical edge and cultivate a critical mindset essential for understanding contemporary political and economic phenomena.
- Enhance Professional Competencies: Build professional-grade skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which are essential in today’s competitive job market.
- Gain a Holistic Perspective: Acquire a deep, systemic understanding of contemporary political and economic developments, giving you a fresh approach to complex global issues.
- Join a Thriving Community: Become part of a vibrant student body with regular social events, study visits, and collaborative learning experiences that enhance your academic journey.
Graduates of this programme will be confident in interpreting and understanding contemporary economic and political phenomena using a diverse and rich methodological and theoretical toolkit from political economy. Career prospects include roles such as analysts, consultants, or project managers in multinational companies, consulting firms, intergovernmental organizations, international NGOs, research institutes, public administration, or the media.
Who is expected to attend the training
The MA in Political Economy welcomes ambitious students from all backgrounds who are curious about contemporary political and economic developments in Europe and around the world, and who seek to understand the systemic and institutional dynamics driving changes in capitalist systems and democracies.
Details
Programme name Political Economy
Programme award Master, MA
ECTS 120
Duration 4 semesters (2 years)
Teaching hours 8-12 hours/week
Includes internship 8 weeks (320 hours)
Mobility window The recommended mobility period is the third semester.
Start date September 2025
Tuition fee (EEA)
990 000 HUF/semester
cca. 2 500 EUR/semester*
Tuition fee (Non-EEA)
3 300 EUR/semester
*The official price list can be found in the annex to the Regulation on Student Fees and Benefits.
Examinations
While some courses conclude with a final exam, most rely on seminar-based assessment methods, such as group projects, in-class debates, presentations, written assignments, and quizzes.
What will you study?
Year 1
Core Modules*
- Empirical Analytical Methods
- Historical Linkages between Economy and Politics
- Political Economy in Macroeconomics
- Political and Economic Systems and Transitions
- Public Economics and Public Choice
- State and Globalization
- State and Governance
Year 2
Core Modules*
- Advanced Studies in the selected specialization (Political Economy of Central and Eastern Europe or International Political Economy)
* The above is not an exhaustive list. Corvinus University of Budapest reserves the right to change modules.
International mobilities
CEMS
Apply to CEMS, which was ranked in the top 6% of the world’s best business programmes by the QS 2024 Masters in Management Rankings (11th out of 199 programmes). By successfully applying, not only will the doors to 33 leading business schools and over 70 corporate partners open for you, but you’ll also become part of a global alumni network of 20,000 members.
Exchange programmes
Corvinus has nearly 200 partners worldwide, and depending on the type of funding, you can apply to study at these institutions.
Gergő Medve-Bálint
Associate Professor
Programme Director
I hold an MA in International Studies from Corvinus, a Master’s in International Business Economics from Leuven (Belgium) and a PhD in Political Science from Central European University. Through these degrees, I realized that the exciting toolkit of political economy offers the best ground for answering the most burning contemporary social and economic issues. What is the middle-income trap? How to avoid falling into it? How is it relevant in Central and Eastern Europe? How do diverse political and economic institutional systems foster or hinder economic growth and development? Why is it challengi
Svidró Orsolya
Student - Political Economy
Do you want to know what is behind the biggest social problems? Want to know how the decisions that shape our daily lives are made? The Political Economy Master's programme is designed to answer these questions - come and discover how the world works and learn how you can make a difference!
Leading university
Rankings
#3 Best Business School in the region
EdUniversal Rankings
#351-400 in Business and Management
WUR Ranking by Subject
TOP 70 in Master’s in Finance in the world
Financial Times
Accreditations and networks
Career Opportunities
Our graduates secure roles such as political analyst, economic analyst, project manager, government relations specialist, and researcher.
