Course Overview

Is democracy backsliding around the world? How should governments tackle the cost-of-living or climate crises? What governments do and why they do it are perennially important questions. In today’s complex and ever-changing world, a critical understanding of these processes and their results is more vital than ever before.

On our dynamic MA in Public Policy and Public Management course, you’ll gain a rich appreciation of the many ways that policy is made and the factors that influence it. You’ll emerge with an in-depth understanding of public policy and management at both national and international levels. Flexible and multidisciplinary, this course is ideal if you have a social science degree and hope to specialise, a degree in environmental studies or geography and seek wider applications of your subject knowledge, or if you’re a professional interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the processes you deal with every day.

You’ll gain a strong foundation in both theory and practical problem-solving. You’ll also be able to tailor your studies to your interests by choosing from a range of optional modules on a wide variety of topics such as elite power, the environment, or foreign policy. You’ll develop your interests even further through your dissertation, in-depth independent research which you’ll complete with the supervision of an academic expert.

Beyond the classroom, we offer a huge array of activities for you to get involved in, including internships, placements, staff-student debates, and opportunities to contribute to our blog and podcast series. We also host a regular speaker series featuring academics and politicians who debate and discuss the hottest political topics of the day.

You’ll develop transferable skills applicable to many careers, including the ability to think critically and constructively question received wisdom. You'll also enhance your presentation and teamwork skills, engage in project work, conduct critical analysis and synthesis of arguments, perform independent research, and apply theory to real-world cases. As a result, you’ll be well-prepared for careers in government and the Civil Service, NGOs, media and journalism, or you could choose to pursue further academic study.