Gain in-depth understanding of public policy, policymaking and challenges faced by policymakers. You’ll develop a critical awareness of current issues, scholarship and research.

As part of this course, you’ll:

Develop knowledge of the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of policy making and challenges to it

Gain in-depth understanding of public policy informed by current scholarship and research, including a critical awareness of current issues, theories and developments

Study the concepts, theories and methods used in the study and practice of public policy

Consider issues from a range of disciplinary perspectives

Understand the implications of complexity, risk and uncertainty in policy-making

Use a range of techniques and research methods and digital literacy skills to access, process and evaluate information

Apply your knowledge with originality and creativity

Explore how new knowledge is created and synthesised by producing a dissertation

Your academic community

We're a dynamic academic community where students work alongside staff to engage with diverse voices, changing lives in the process. We engage with diverse voices through learning and research and uncover solutions that change people's lives for the better. You’ll be supported in your transition to postgraduate study by research-active tutors, with specialisms in public policy.

Your learning experiences

You’ll learn through a diverse range of activities, in settings that could include seminars, group work, presentations, problem-based projects and briefs, tutorials, and online activities on the university’s Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll be encouraged to broaden your learning through opportunities such as the Politics & International Relations seminar series and Festival that will give you access to outsider speakers.