Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Public Policy (Extended) at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The MA in Public Policy is designed to provide a high level training in the study of public policy and policy making at international, national and sub-state levels.
The MA in Public Policy provides a solid grounding in the key theoretical approaches to the study of public policy, and seeks to develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to engage in further academic study. At the same time, the Public Policy MA focuses on the necessary skills involved in working in a public policy landscape now increasingly characterised by change and interdependence. Consequently, it will also develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to, or already, pursuing a career in public policy research, policy advice, lobbying, public sector management or journalism.
The full-time Public Policy course structure is split across the year with three modules taken in each academic semester (a total of six modules) and then a dissertation over the summer. Students study four compulsory modules and two optional modules. The dissertation is written on a specialist research topic of the student's choosing.
Part-time study is available.
The Swansea programme in Public Policy is uniquely placed to offer students a comprehensive knowledge of public policy in multi-level and comparative settings, with staff well-versed in the theoretical, empirical and methodological understanding of public policy, with specialisms including European Union policy, multi-level governance, political economy, development studies and British and regional politics.
The Extended MA (EMA) in Public Policy is a 240-credit postgraduate qualification that is equivalent to 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) and is thus a recognised Masters qualification throughout the European Union. The EMA is a standard UK MA plus an additional 60 credits (30 ECTS) and this additional coursework is undertaken in one semester at a partner institution overseas. The EMA is therefore not only an EU recognised postgraduate qualification it also adds a study abroad experience thus enhancing the qualification’s employability credentials.
The partner institution for EMA Public Policy is The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Founded in 1997, the Bush School is ranked in the top 12 percent of the
266 graduate public affairs schools in the USA, according to rankings published in U.S. News & World Report. Located in College Station, Texas, the School’s programmes are housed in the Robert H. and Judy Ley Allen Building, which is part of the George Bush Presidential Library Center on the West Campus of Texas A&M. This location affords students access to the archival holdings of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, invitation to numerous events hosted by the George Bush Foundation at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, and inclusion in the many activities of the Texas A&M community. Texas A&M is the sixth-largest university in the USA with 50,000 students. It holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only 61 institutions with this distinction.
Modules on the MA in Public Policy typically include:
• Governance,Globalization and Neoliberal Political Economy
• Comparative Politics in the New World Order
• The Policy Making Process
• Politics and Public Policy in the New Wales
• Approaching Political Theory: the challenge of democracy
• Politics in Contemporary Britain
• Violence, Conflict and Development
• Critical Security Studies
• Civil Society and International Development
• War, Technology and Culture
• State of Africa
• Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
- To develop and advance practical and academic knowledge and understanding of public policy
- To develop critical, theoretical and analytical skills, and to improve written and oral communication skills.
- To acquire research and practical skills in public policy relevant to academic, public- and private sector careers in policy-related areas.
Students interested in politics, international relations, development studies, law, humanities, social science, International business or a related background. Professionals interested in public policy and administration. Students interested in preparation for postgraduate research, MPhil or PhD, or who wish to develop skills and knowledge related to Public Policy.
Career expectations are excellent for public policy graduates, who are well-placed for careers in a variety of sectors in the UK, Europe or internationally. MA degree holders may move on to doctoral study or enter employment sectors such as government and politics; the public sector; journalism; the diplomatic corps; the armed forces; intelligence and risk analysis; relief and humanitarian organisations; law and finance and international business.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Public Policy at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The MA in Public Policy is designed to provide a high level training in the study of public policy and policy making at international, national and sub-state levels.
The MA in Public Policy provides a solid grounding in the key theoretical approaches to the study of public policy, and seeks to develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to engage in further academic study. At the same time, the Public Policy MA focuses on the necessary skills involved in working in a public policy landscape now increasingly characterised by change and interdependence. Consequently, it will also develop the knowledge and skills of those wishing to, or already, pursuing a career in public policy research, policy advice, lobbying, public sector management or journalism.
The full-time Public Policy course structure is split across the year with three modules taken in each academic semester (a total of six modules) and then a dissertation over the summer. Students study four compulsory modules and two optional modules. The dissertation is written on a specialist research topic of the student's choosing.
Part-time study is available.
The Swansea programme in Public Policy is uniquely placed to offer students a comprehensive knowledge of public policy in multi-level and comparative settings, with staff well-versed in the theoretical, empirical and methodological understanding of public policy, with specialisms including European Union policy, multi-level governance, political economy, development studies and British and regional politics.
Modules on the MA in Public Policy typically include:
• Governance,Globalization and Neoliberal Political Economy
• Comparative Politics in the New World Order
• The Policy Making Process
• Politics and Public Policy in the New Wales
• Approaching Political Theory: the challenge of democracy
• Politics in Contemporary Britain
• Violence, Conflict and Development
• Critical Security Studies
• Civil Society and International Development
• War, Technology and Culture
• State of Africa
• Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention
- To develop and advance practical and academic knowledge and understanding of public policy
- To develop critical, theoretical and analytical skills, and to improve written and oral communication skills.
- To acquire research and practical skills in public policy relevant to academic, public- and private sector careers in policy-related areas.
Students interested in politics, international relations, development studies, law, humanities, social science, International business or a related background. Professionals interested in public policy and administration. Students interested in preparation for postgraduate research, MPhil or PhD, or who wish to develop skills and knowledge related to Public Policy.
Career expectations are excellent for public policy graduates, who are well-placed for careers in a variety of sectors in the UK, Europe or internationally. MA degree holders may move on to doctoral study or enter employment sectors such as government and politics; the public sector; journalism; the diplomatic corps; the armed forces; intelligence and risk analysis; relief and humanitarian organisations; law and finance and international business.
Public policy decisions have a profound effect on nearly every aspect of daily life, touching on the economy, healthcare, and the environment. As the challenges facing our communities—both locally and globally—grow ever more complex, the need to understand and apply sound public policy is critical.
In the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program, you can gain the skills needed to address public policy issues and create solutions that will have a positive impact on society. Discover how to formulate, implement, and evaluate public policy within government agencies or in the nonprofit or private sector.
Through a curriculum that blends theory, practice, and a virtual city that simulates real-life scenarios, you can enhance and refine your analytic and quantitative skills while developing a thorough understanding of the political institutions and processes through which public policies are created. Coursework focuses on policy analysis, management and leadership, empirical analysis, ethics, and politics and is designed to prepare you to work in a wide variety of organizations that create, analyze, or operate according to public policy.
You can apply what you learn immediately in your profession and prepare for a role in public policy management or leadership.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to:
Find detailed information for the general specialization of this program, or all other specializations of this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.
Various leaders and policymakers who have launched successful public policy careers hold a Master of Public Policy.* A broad range of career options is available for those who hold advanced degrees in public policy, including positions in governments at all levels, nonprofit organizations and NGOs, and higher education and at private-sector companies.
Walden’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) can prepare you for careers as a:
Rethink public policy from the ground up, by exploring creative and innovative approaches for making, shaping and influencing policy design and delivery.
This specialist MSc in Public Policy offers you the opportunity to delve into how public policy is made, what shapes it, and how you can make a real difference as a policymaker.
You will explore the political, economic and social dynamics and forces that influence contemporary public policy issues. This will enable you to think creatively about public policy design and delivery, and your role within it.
Highly applied in nature, the course draws on diverse cases from policymaking globally, as well as from Europe and the UK. You’ll work with academics from the Institute for Policy Research, Department of Social & Policy Sciences and Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies with international expertise in this area, and have links to senior and experienced policymakers from around the world.
The course also examines how data, knowledge and evidence in the digital environment are re-shaping how public policy is analysed, made and practised.
You will leave the course with:
The course is delivered in an inspiring format, with highly structured and interactive online content; face-to-face learning and networking at short residentials in Bath and London; and intensive support from leading Bath academics throughout.
Ideal for those already working in policy, or aspiring to do so, the course offers plenty of opportunity to draw on examples from your own professional experience, and to apply the new ideas and skills to your own specific public policy interests.
Graduate prospects
The specialist teaching and tools you acquire will put you in a strong position for moving forward in any policy-facing or policy-shaping role, whether in analysis, strategy or delivery.
You will be equipped to work as a national civil servant in a policy role, government affairs official, think tank researcher, parliamentary advisor, policy advisor, policy advocate in a large INGO or advocacy organisation.
You could also work in regional or local government strategy, public service policy or strategy, or the private sector providing contracted public sector services.
You could also take your studies further to doctoral level.
Course brochure
If you'd like to find out more about this course then we can arrange for the Director of Studies, Dr Emma Carmel to call you.
Register your details for a call back
This course lasts 2 years. Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
These compulsory units are currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.
The MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management seeks to provide an interdisciplinary training and education that will enable policy-makers, economists, planners, managers and researchers to be fully conversant with current issues of public policy and management, in an international development setting. In doing so the programme will provide participants with the conceptual and analytical tools needed to understand and critically review issues relevant to public policy and public sector reform.
While the programme was conceived primarily for those already working in the public sector environment, it has evolved into a highly successful multidisciplinary programme that is appropriate to modern professionals, from a wide variety of backgrounds, who have an interest in issues of public policy.
Informal enquiries, prior to applications, are welcomed. Please contact: Dr David Lawson (Programme Director) | Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 0415 | Email: [email protected]
By the end of the programme students will have:
Part-time Study
Part-time students complete the full-time programme over 27 months. There are NO evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme, therefore if you are considering taking a programme on a part-time basis, you should discuss the requirements with the Programme Director first and seek approval from your employer to have the relevant time off. Timetabling information is normally available from late August from the Programme Administrator and you will have the opportunity to discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.
The taught elements of the programme, carrying 120 credits overall is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (project based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.
Participants must also complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice approved by the Programme Directors. Students are encouraged to base their dissertations on topics of direct professional concern to themselves.
The Arthur Lewis Building provides excellent resources including analytical laboratories, studio facilities, workshops, seminar rooms, an on-site cafe and dedicated computer clusters including GIS facilities.
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: [email protected]
The course is intended primarily for those with experience of the public sector and those involved in public policy formulation and implementation. The nature of the course also ensures that graduates are well equipped to pursue careers in the public sector or in public policy and development as researchers, advisers or consultants.
The Global Development Institute (GDI) has a large and diverse postgraduate population, including a large number of students from outside the UK (85% of our students are drawn from outside the UK, particularly from Africa, Asia and Western Europe, but also reaching out to Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific). Many of our alumni have gone on to prestigious careers in the public service or in the NGO/charitable and private sectors, as policy officers, managers, consultants or development practitioners - while others have pursued further academic study leading to a PhD and academic careers. Since its foundation, GDI has trained over 7000 individuals from 170 different countries.
In the Master’s in Public Policy and Governance you will learn to critically analyse public policies in often controversial political settings. The programme focuses on both research and practice and links theory and practice by looking into interesting cases and inviting inspiring guest speakers.
The Public Policy and Governance track prepares students to meet demands for effective and legitimate public action in complex and often controversial political settings. The programme helps students develop as critical analysts and innovative designers by linking research and practice, theory and action on the ‘shop floor’ on the local, national, European, and international levels. Opportunities are provided to study policy work at and across these levels.
Then the Master's programme in Public Policy and Governance might be the perfect programme for you.
The Public Policy and Governance track provides a unique opportunity to study public policy and governance in the context of a political science programme. This setting strengthens the link between policy problems and ongoing social and political developments.
The Department of Political Science is is the largest in the Netherlands, which provides our students with a wide array of coursework and opportunities for thesis research.
The student body is international, providing the opportunity to study and develop within a diverse community.
Are you interested in how public policy is made and put into practice? Do you want to learn how to conduct research that contributes to the development and implementation of policy and to reflect on the practical arrangements in which policy gets made? If so, this Master's programme might be for you! The programme is intensive and rigorous and students are expected to develop a capacity to work independently and in group settings.
Students typically find a career in public organisations (government , as well as non-governmental organisations), policy advisory bureaus, consultancy firms, multi-nationals, and other companies.
Public Policy and Governance is a track of the accredited degree programme Political Science. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Political Science and the title Master of Science (MSc).
The International Public Policy MSc at UCL provides students with a detailed and systematic understanding of how political institutions, processes and public policies operate in world affairs. The programme brings together the academic study of international relations with analysis of public policy formulation and governance beyond the nation-state.
Students are equipped with the theoretical tools and empirical evidence necessary for an in-depth understanding of policy-making within the general theories of international relations, political science, public policy and comparative politics. They develop analytical skills for the study of world politics and the assessment of issues currently facing international policymakers.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (75 credits), optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Choose one of the following 15 credit modules (the others remain available as options):
Choose further modules up to a value of 30 credits in total from a list available on the departmental website
The following are suggestions:
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and includes a policy simulation and a series of talks with leading practitioners and policymakers. Assessment is through a variety of methods, including unseen examination, long essays and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: International Public Policy MSc
Graduate destinations both nationally and internationally include:
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Students are prepared for a number of potential careers ranging from additional academic work to employment in both the public and private sector. Previous students have secured employment in government agencies in the UK and abroad. A large number of students also find work in the financial sector, including investment banking and consulting. The success of previous students is attributable to the rigorous methods training provided, as well as the diversity of the modules offered.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL Political Science is recognised as a centre of excellence in the field and offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of international public policy.
London features an enormous range of seminars, conferences, and other events on issues related to the programme. These provide a means for students to expand their knowledge and extend their professional networks.
The research preparation and tailor-made interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary training students receive are of the highest standard available, at one of the world's top universities, as reflected in UCL's performance in a range of rankings and tables.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Political Science
89% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
This MSc aims to educate a new generation of public policymakers and policy analysts, familiarising them with the necessary concepts, theories, methods and principles involved in the formulation and analysis of public policy. The programme draws on many disciplines, including political science, economics, law, public management and public health.
Students develop a working knowledge of many aspects of political science theory relevant to understanding how public policies are formulated, implemented and evaluated. They gain a basic understanding of economic approaches to public policy analysis and of the concepts of economic efficiency and equity as societal objectives. Students also learn extensively about research methods which gives them the tools necessary to understand political processes and to analyse important policy issues.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an individual research project, which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and case studies, and is taught by scholars who have carried out theoretical and empirical research in the field. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods: unseen examinations, long essays, course work and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Public Policy MSc
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Graduates go on to a range of destinations both nationally and internationally including:
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The training that students receive in policy analysis, research methods, political science, economics and other disciplines equips them to work in a range of different organisations engaged in policy-making and policy analysis. Additionally, the emphasis on independent research, through the dissertation, enables students to think critically about policy problems and devise innovative solutions to such problems.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL Political Science is recognised as a centre of excellence in the field and offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of public policy.
The interdisciplinary aspect of this programme provides participants with the opportunity to address some of the key issues of contemporary governance and public sector reform.
UCL is uniquely well placed to draw together theory and practice in the field of public policy in health, where perhaps the most far-reaching of all public sector reforms has taken place.
This course provides rigorous training in the analytical frameworks and methods required in the study of public policy.
It’s ideal for those wanting professional skills to become a policy practitioner, analyst or to proceed to a PhD.
You’ll explore the various methodological tools and their connections to real world problems facing governments and related organisations. You’ll learn a range of key skills:
You can study this course full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months.
The MSc in Public Policy is organised into core and optional classes. The core classes provide an introduction to the theory and practice of public policy, as well as a range of skills and methodologies to design, conduct and report on social research.
Established in 2010, the School of Government & Public Policy has three research centres:
The MSc in Public Policy comprises of core and optional classes and a dissertation. The core classes provide an introduction to the theory and practice of public policy, as well as a range of skills and methodologies relevant to designing, conducting and reporting on social research.
All classes are taught in small-group seminars. You’ll receive considerable time and attention from our staff in the seminars and individual supervision sessions.
If you’re studying part-time you’ll attend classes across two academic years. You’ll work on a dissertation over 10 months.
Classes average 20 contact hours, with additional computer laboratory sessions for some methods classes. Part-time students attend classes across two academic years. They then work on their dissertation over the course of 10 months.
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods including essays, options papers and group projects. These account for two thirds of the total assessment. Your dissertation accounts for one third of the total assessment.
Where are they now?
Examples of organisations our graduates work for include:
The Public Policy MA is a multidisciplinary course that covers policy making and analysis, comparative public policy, public sector economics, governance and public management. You will focus on the critical issues and key developments relating to public policy, such as governance, globalisation and policy evaluation. This course will equip you with the analytical and critical skills relevant for understanding the challenges of public policy and its implementation.
The Public Policy MA course provides a unique opportunity to study politics, policy and social issues in a range of non-UK settings. The course offers you flexibility with the choice to study either full or part-time. You will explore a range of required modules such as The Policy Process and Comparative Public Policy. You will also study a range of optional modules allowing you to create a unique study plan that reflects your interests.
The study programme is made up of optional and required modules. The course requires modules totalling 180 credits, 60 of these credits will come from a dissertation of around 15,000 words.
Teaching
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
The total contact time per 20-credit taught module is 20-30 hours. These sessions will include lectures, teacher-led and student-led group discussions based on the main areas of study. In addition to this you will have 200 hours of self-guided learning time.
For the Dissertation, you will have at least eight dissertation workshops plus one-to-one dissertation consultations. In addition to this you will have 592 hours worth of self-study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of written examinations and coursework. Typically, a 20-credit module will comprise of assessments, essays and a written examination. Grades awarded for each module will reflect your attendance and lecture participation. The assessment of the dissertation module will be by a 1,000-word research proposal (10 per cent) and a 15,000-word dissertation (90 per cent).
Our graduates go on to work in a variety of public sector management and policy-oriented positions. Recent graduates’ employment opportunities:
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