Curious about studying Policy Evaluation, MScat University of Aberdeen? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
Old Aberdeen Campus
Part Time
Sep 2026
2 Year
The MSc in Policy Evaluation provides you with the skills required to contribute to evidence-based policy formation and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) processes across a range of fields in the public sector, voluntary organisations and private service providers.Institutions and organisations are increasingly demanding evidence-based policy formation. However, there are few graduates with the training in policy evaluation and the necessary Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) techniques to provide that “evidence.” As a result, there is a high demand for graduates who can critically understand and evaluate policies and social interventions in areas such as health and social care, criminal justice, international development, and inequality and poverty. The MSc in Policy Evaluation meets this demand by equipping you with the skills necessary to provide effective policy evaluation and programme M&E for government and third sector organisations, working in both domestic and international contexts. You will acquire advanced skills in quantitative methods and analysis and research design, along with the theoretical and conceptual understanding of policymaking and programme implementation required to put M&E into practice across a wide array of contexts. Further, you will develop a critical and informed understanding of policy evaluation, an appreciation for the need for specific M&E skills, and the knowledge on how they might be best utilised across an array of work environments. The skills and knowledge you develop throughout this programme will enable you to analyse the effectiveness of policies; communicate your findings with policymakers; and provide insights into recommendations for improving policies where needed. You can choose to complete a traditional dissertation for your final project or elect to work with a partner organisation to produce a real M&E project. Previous students have worked with the local government, a non-profit organisation, or within the University itself on their final project.
Qualitative Sociology: Philosophy and Methods: This course introduces students to a range of methods used in qualitative social science research (such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, focus groups, diaries, photography and film, and archived data sources). The emphasis will be on the research process, from project design to analysis and presentation, with methodological issues raised in the context of researchable questions. Issues of reliability, representativeness and validity, and the potential for combining methods will be addressed. Students use the course work to develop their research interests and reflect on their research practices.
This course familiarises students with quantitative research techniques commonly used in the social sciences. It begins by covering the basic concepts underlying quantitative methods and the fundamental statistical techniques used for analysing relationships between two variables. The main part of the course focuses on multiple regression analysis, perhaps the most widely used technique in quantitative social science research. Students gain practical knowledge by undertaking two research reports to assess a substantive topic of their choosing.
All researchers need to understand quantitative research, not only those who carry it out themselves. Everyone comes across quantitative research in literature reviews and even in the press. In this course students will acquire an understanding of the most common quantitative methods they are likely to use or come across in published social science research. The module will encompass different types of quantitative study and address issues such as when quantitative methods are appropriate, how quantitative questions are formulated, research design, sampling (both online and offline), scale construction, reliability and validity and ethical practices in quantitative research and design.
The Dissertation IN Policy Evaluation can be completed either AS a research project OR AS a collaborative Monitoring AND Evaluation project FOR a partner organization IN the community seeking TO have ONE of their policies OR programmes assessed. IN either CASE, this project IS a major piece of independent WORK undertaken BY the student WITH the guidance AND supervision of a member of the teaching staff of the department. The project gives students an opportunity TO investigate a policy OR programme that excites their interest TO a depth NOT otherwise available IN the curriculum, AND TO develop either their research AND gain experience of independent study OR their M&E skills AND gain experience working WITH a partner organization IN the community. IF choosing TO complete a traditional dissertation the topic may derive FROM interests developed IN other courses, OR FROM subjects NOT otherwise covered IN the curriculum. IF choosing TO conduct the hands ON M&E project, THEN the topic will be driven largely BY the needs of the partner organization. IN either CASE, the project should involve the USE AND development of the research skills provided BY the programme. Students AND staff should attach appropriate effort TO this important piece of work.
Institutions and organizations are today commonly demanding evidence-based policy formation. As a result, the necessary social research methods for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) are in high demand. This course in Policy Evaluation is the core course in the MSc in Policy Evaluation and will equip graduates with the knowledge necessary to understand the current demand for, existing practices of, and substantial challenges to monitoring and evaluation of policy, implementation procedures, and impacts. The course serves as the primary topical course for this MSc and provides student with the theoretical and conceptual understanding of policymaking and programme implementation necessary to put M&E practices in context, and to better understand the need for specific M&E skills and how they might be best utilized across an array of work environments.
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