MA Public Policy
The focus of the MA Public Policy is on critical issues and key developments relating to public policy, such as globalisation, Europeanisation, governance, and policy evaluation. With the current developments in countries around the world, this is one of the most exciting times to be studying anything to do with the public sector, governance and government, and the delivery of services to meet people’s needs. The aim of the programme is to provide students with the skills, knowledge and tools to make sense of the world of public policy and management, so that they can analyse situation and problems, and use this to improve its practice. The course is multidisciplinary and research-informed, and the wide range of modules draws on examples from different countries across the world.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds. Some students come straight from their first degree onto the Masters without much work experience, and others currently work in a public sector organisation (NHS, local authorities, education sector, police) and take the course on a part-time basis. About half of our students are from the UK, and the other half from abroad. At the moment we have 14 or 15 different nationalities amongst our students. The variety of our student body adds a hugely beneficial and interesting dimension to the teaching through the exchange of experience of different practices and underlying assumptions on which these practices are built. The dialogue around these differences plays a substantial role in the learning environment. As admission into the University Programmes is conditional on a good level of English, the discussions are accessible and of interest to all students.
Students must take the following core modules and a further 20 credits of elective modules chosen from those available in the School each year:
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Dissertation (60 credits)
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Policy analysis: Concepts and theories (30 credits)
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Comparing policy in societies (20 credits)
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Research methods and research management (20 credits)
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Economics and policy analysis (10 credits)
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Globalisation, europeanisation and public policy (10 credits)
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Public management and governance (10 credits)
The dissertation is a key component of the Masters degree. It gives students the opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice under the supervision of a leading public or social policy analyst. Students are required to submit an assessed dissertation proposal in advance of starting their dissertation. Support for producing the dissertation is provided by a research methods module, the dissertation and by one-to-one supervision.
Taught modules on the programme are normally assessed by a 3,000-5,000 word essay (depending upon the number of credits awarded). The dissertation must be 15,000-words and on a relevant topic of the student’s choice.
All applications must be made online.
The courses can be taken as Masters (includes a dissertation) or as Postgraduate Diploma (without a dissertation). It is available for full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months) study starting in September or January. Students who register for the Postgraduate Diploma can be upgraded to the MA if they perform satisfactorily in the first semester (if full-time) or in the first academic year (if part-time).
Up-to-date information on entry requirements can be found in the Postgraduate Prospectus.
School scholarships are normally available for this MA and the International Office can provide further information on funding opportunities.
Pauline Jas, Lecturer in Public Policy, Programme Director of MPA/MA in Public Policy (admissions)
Tel: +44 (0) 115 9515425 Email: Pauline Jas
Kathryn Clay, Taught Postgraduate Administrator
Tel:+44 (0)115 846 7551 Email: Kathryn Clay