As the global economy continues to evolve, novel issues continue to emerge. US-China trade wars, growing government debt, international conflict and its effect on the supply chain, and rising inflation pressures are all posing new challenges that the next generation of leaders must address. Moreover, these rising challenges introduce domestic and regional tensions and security issues. Courses in this theme will focus on regional and national economic issues and the security issues that emerge in tandem.

This theme will provide students with the opportunities to reflect on the problems that continue to emerge, and in groups, with the support of an external organization, and under the supervision of a faculty member, develop answers and solutions to these global problems.  Networking with the corporate sector through study tours will expose students to the emerging economic challenges and political challenges that the corporate sector encounters today. 

Market Analysis and Forecasting - Take courses that can enhance one’s technical ability to understand market changes in response to political shifts.

Understand Economic Trends - Explore the historical, theoretical, and contemporary debates on how the economy works.

Resilience to Economic Problems and Shocks - Work in groups to study real world problems and propose real-time solutions to challenges in the private sector.

Liaise with the Business Leaders - Make connections through the taskforce project, meet business leaders from different countries, engage alumni and encourage them to return to campus for lifelong learning.

Multinational Corporations - Produce technically sound reports and navigate business interests through complex political challenges.

Security Firms - Navigate chaotic markets strategically and cautiously with knowledge gained through coursework and consultation with experts.

Consultancy - Gain knowledge of key cases and concepts in corporate social responsibility (CSR), diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and sustainable business practices.

Academic and Research Institutions - Conduct technically advanced studies on market and security issues.

Public Relations - Explore crisis and ways to manage them.

The proposed programme leading to the MSc requires students to complete 10 courses (or 40 units).

  • Three required courses (4-units each) (i.e. 2 taskforce courses and a methods course)
  • Seven elective courses (4-units each) from the two specialization themes. Four of the seven electives must be from one theme.

The two taskforce courses and the research methods course will ensure that each student meets with their group, supervisor, and external organization throughout the two semesters of the programme. The methods course ensures students take a technical course that provides them with the technical skills to read, analyze, and produce high-level research.

Core/Essential Courses

Course Code Course Title Units
PS5101 Research Design and Methods 4
PS5102 Taskforce 4
PS5103 Taskforce 2 4

 

Specialisation Electives

Students must obtain a pass for at least four of the following courses:

Course Code Course Title Units
PS4226 Emerging Markets and Economic Governance 4
PS5312 Seminar in Comparative Politics 4
PS5314 Seminar in International Relations 4
PS5411 The Geopolitics of Regional Integration 4
PS5412 Security Studies 4
PS5413 Community Responses to Disaster and Climate Crisis 4
PS5414 Corporate Governance and Corruption 4
PS5415 Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies 4
PS5416 Global Inequality 4
ACE5410 Cultural Diplomacy and Intelligence 4
GL4882B Contested Globalization: Resistance & Resilience 4

 

Non-Specialisation Electives

Students can choose from and obtain a pass for up to three of the following non-specialisation courses below:
Course Code Course Title Units
PS4218 European Foreign Policy 4
PS4231 Social Theory and International Relations 4
PS5211 Non-State Actors in Global Governance 4
PS5212 Global Relations in the 21st Century 4
PS5214 China's External Relations 4
PS5215 Politics and Governance in the Field 4
PS5216 Society, Politics, and Change 4
PS5217 Small States in Peace and War 4
PS5316 Seminar in Public Administration 4
GL4880A Globalization, Culture, and Identity 4
SNG5102 Introduction to the Geopolitics of South Asia 4

Programme at a Glance

Intake and Application

| Next Intake
  Aug 2027

| Application Period
 1 Sep 2026 – 15 Jan 2027



Apply Now!

 

Questions?

 

For enquiries, contact us at:

polbox23@nus.edu.sg