The MA Public Policy course is aimed at those who want to develop their knowledge and skills in policy analysis. The course focuses on critical issues and key developments relating to public policy (e.g. globalisation, Europeanisation, governance, and policy evaluation).
The course is multidisciplinary and research-informed, and the wide range of modules draws on examples from different countries across the world.
There are internship opportunities for those studying on the course.
Core modules
The programme is full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. Students must take 180 credits of modules, including a 60-credit dissertation.
The core modules for the degree are:
- Dissertation (60 credits)
- Policy Analysis: Concepts and Theories (30 credits)
- Comparing Policy in Societies (20 credits)
- Research Methods and the Dissertation (20 credits)
- Economics and Policy Analysis (10 credits)
- Globalisation, Europeanisation and Public Policy (10 credits)
- Public Management and Governance (10 credits)
Elective modules
Students must also take 20 credits of elective modules from:
- Information Age Management in Government (10 credits)
- Leadership, Strategy and Performance in the Public Sector (10 credits)
- Managing People (10 credits)
- Public Administration in Developing and Transitional Countries (10 credits)
- Public Sector Financial Management (10 credits)
- Welfare Policy (10 credits)
There is also a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy: students pursue the same programme of study as Masters students, but do not undertake a dissertation. Diploma students can be upgraded to the Masters course if they perform satisfactorily in the first semester (if full-time) or in the first academic year (if part-time).
Teaching on this programme is cutting edge, research-informed, multidisciplinary, and internationally-focused. Modules are normally taught by a mix of lectures, group-work, and class discussion. Most modules are taught weekly over one semester; a few modules are taught over three consecutive days.
Nearly all modules are timetabled to take place on one or two days in the week. Part-time students need to come into the University for about 30 days per academic year.
Taught modules are normally assessed by a 3,000 to 5,000-word essay (or equivalent).
You will complete the course by undertaking a supervised 15,000 word dissertation (worth 60 credits) on a relevant topic of your choice. You will be required to submit an assessed dissertation proposal in advance of starting your dissertation.
We also offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy, which does not require you to complete a dissertation.
You may also be interested in the Masters or Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration.