Public Policy MSc
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This MSc Public Policy course offers a hands-on, locally embedded and multidisciplinary course in the study of Public Policy at an advanced and specialized level. You will have the opportunity to take part in exciting contemporary discussions of Public Policy that explore core concepts, key trends and developments within the field, critical reflections on policy in practice and the current state of research and analysis of policy issues.
This course will allow you to develop subject specific knowledge and develop broader professional skills that will be necessary for a career in any field related to public policy. It also enables you to obtain an advanced understanding and practice of a range of methods and methodologies available to support research and policy analysis.
The MSc Public Policy will be awarded on the successful completion of 180 credits of study.You will deliver a capstone Policy Lab project, with the opportunity to tackle salient policy issues in the East Midlands region or at national and international levels.
What you’ll study
The MSc Public Policy course has been designed to provide a practice-oriented and challenging contemporary curriculum which allows students to develop subject specific knowledge and develop broader professional skills that will be necessary for a career in any field related to public policy. It also enables students to obtain an advanced understanding and practice of a range of methods and methodologies available to support research and policy analysis.
The course is offered by the Department of Politics and International Relations and complemented by optional modules from across the School of Social Sciences. This allows for greater appreciation of policymaking in distinct and specialised areas as well as offers familiarity with negotiating in international contexts. Finally, it prepares students to work creatively on a Policy Lab research project either with an external partner or based on a combined staff and student-led initiative
The course is designed as a standalone programme, but draws on the success of the existing Politics and International Relations postgraduate provisions offered by the department. It is open to anyone who has already gained experience in the field of Public Policy or holds a background in a related discipline and field in Social Sciences and/or Humanities.
Core modules
Theory and Trends in Public Policy (30 credits)
This module is designed to help students obtain foundational knowledge – both theoretical and practical - in the study of Public Policy. Students will critically engage with the theories, concepts, and heuristics of public policy and the policy process. Students will also gain knowledge of and critically assess current issues and trends in public policy and the field.
The module strategically combines traditional and existing approaches to policy studies with creative and online learning tools.
Policy in Focus (30 credits)
This module is designed to help students engage with major concepts, empirical issues and trends in three specific policy areas: local and regional policy, social policy, and foreign policy. It is co-taught, incorporating online learning and bringing together policy expertise from different units across the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences.
Researching Political Issues (30 credits)
This module allows students to develop a sustained grounding in and working knowledge of a variety of approaches to social science research, thus supporting their intellectual inquiries in the other modules.
Policy Lab Research Project (60 credits)
The Policy Labs module places an emphasis on gaining practical research experience and meaningful engagement with external (or internal) partners on a real policy issue. Policy Labs comprise small groups working in close collaboration and making their recommendations after close consultation with partners and supervision by academic staff. External partners may come from the public, private and/or civil society and academia. Internal partners may include departmental research teams and internal organisations. The program is intended to focus on policy problems within the East Midlands region, but some Policy Labs may focus on national or international issues.
You will also choose one of the following optional modules (30 credits each):
- Law and Policy for Social Work
- Education Policy and Practice
- Service Learning
- International Politics of Health
- Democracy. Citizenship and Sustainability
- Negotiating in International Contexts
- Gender and Security
- Global Governance and International Institutions
- Policy Lab Research Project
Policy Lab Research Project
Undertake practical research experience and meaningful engagement with external (or internal) partners on a real policy issue within the local East Midlands region or, alternatively, at national or international levels.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you’re taught
A wide-range of traditional and experiential teaching methods are employed on the course. These may include discussion-based seminars, online teaching and learning sessions, interactive workshops, traditional lectures, and presentations and collaborative project-based work. These sessions are designed to engage students through problem-solving, sharing ideas, giving and receiving feedback and teaching each other.
The course also benefits from activities and research seminars taking place within the Department of Politics and International Relations and across the School of Social Sciences. You will have the option to partake in various events focusing on politics and policy. Activities range from negotiation simulations, guest lectures by politicians and practitioners, to problem-solving activities.
Assessment methods
Assessment on the course involves coursework, conducting your own research piece, individual and group class presentations and a reflective assessment. To encourage and facilitate independent learning the course will take full advantage of NTU's online workspace (NOW).
Moreover, the assessment methods enable students to develop and strengthen transferable skills, thus supporting their employability profile. The Politics and International Relations Employability Coordinator, together with NTU’s employability team, will assist in developing a professional portfolio that can be used when applying for internships, professional employment or further study.
An active research environment
Teaching on the course is drawn directly from regionally aligned research strengths in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, the Indian sub-continent, and Europe. This research feeds directly into the course allowing you to learn about the latest issues in this field from world-renowned experts.
Taught by experts
Your teachers and mentors specialise in:
- Social policy
- Foreign policy
- Education policy
- Media policy
- Health policy
- Economic policy
- Security policy
- Citizen engagement
- Local and regional development
- Global governance
- Negotiation and diplomacy
- Politicisation and Expertise
Our focus
- Applied and collaborative approach
- Outward-facing local engagement
- Citizens in the policy process
- Employability and career support
You will benefit from
- Policy Labs
- Nottingham Civic Exchange (Internal Think Tank)
- Local civic network
- Employability and career development support
- Specialisation drawing from expertise across the Social Sciences and Nottingham Business School
- Both online and face-to-face teaching and learning methods
What opportunities await you?
You will have the opportunity to:
- Specialise
- Localise
- Collaborate
- Negotiate
- Get involved
- Problem solve
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
Careers and employability
As MSc Public Policy graduates, you will have the opportunity to reflect on the subject and transferable skills learnt while preparing coursework. These include expertise in writing complex, yet concise, analytical pieces, developing and implementing projects, interpersonal communication, diplomatic and negotiation skills, problem-solving, and the ability to present in-depth ideas with confidence. You will be offered encouragement and assistance in articulating those skills in relation to occupations that may be of interest to you.
Graduates from this course are ready to undertake a wide range of careers and professions. Previous graduates from within the Department of Politics and International Relations have gone on to work in relevant government departments as well as joined international aid and development agencies.
Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.
Campus and facilities
As a Social Sciences student you will have easy access to the fantastic facilities in the Chaucer and Taylor buildings including:
- Lecture theatres and teaching classrooms;
- Open access PCs and secure wireless points;
- Study areas and social spaces;
- Chaucer cafe serving drinks and light snacks;
- Our School of Social Sciences reception, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across our City Campus, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services, with a free printing allowance for each student.
Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
Books and library resources
Our state-of-the-art Boots library will give you access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within the built environment. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.
Within the library there is a liaison librarian who has specialist subject knowledge and can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources, and also with areas such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
Entry requirements
Applying with prior qualifications
- You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (normally 2.2 or above).
If you hold a first degree but it doesn't meet the entry requirements above, please refer to the information below.
Applying with non-standard entry qualifications/experience
- Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.
No references are required when applying for this course.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.
- You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (normally a 2.2 or above).
If you hold a first degree but it doesn't meet the entry requirements above, please refer to the information below.
- Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Fees
| Study route | International / EU students |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £7,700 |
| Part-time (cost per year of study) | £3,850 (for Year One*) |
The above fees are for 2022 entry.
* Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is subject to annual review.
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your postgraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees
| Study route | International / EU students |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £15,850 |
| Part-time (cost per year of study) | £7,925 (for Year One*) |
The above fees are for 2022 entry.
* Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is subject to annual review.
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your postgraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
Please contact the Course Leader for further information and keep checking the course page for more updates.
Open days
The School of Social Sciences holds open events throughout the year. Come along and learn more about our courses, speak to programme leaders and find out about studying with the School.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or support, you can call our Admissions Team on +44 (0)115 848 4200, or email applications@ntu.uk.
Good luck with your application!
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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