Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £12,250
Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
How are policy decisions made and implemented? What are the implications of adopting an ‘evidence-based’ approach to policy evaluation? These are the sorts of questions that you will explore in both theoretical and practical terms on this engaging programme.
You’ll also explore the historical significance of globalisation and how it relates to a number of key issues in public policy, such as european politics, international relations, political theory and global security and development. Our faculty members have internationally-recognised research strengths in the politics of the developing world and critical theory and continue to conduct research on constantly changing policy issues and organise free events throughout the year - giving you front-row access to groundbreaking research in action.
This MRes is a pre-doctoral training programme currently taught in conjunction with the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP) and is an approved pathway for ESRC 1+3 PhD studentship funding and ideal for those see.
Structure
- Four compulsory modules
- 12,000 word dissertation
Compulsory/Core modules
The Masters' Dissertation is an independent programme of study of an approved topic within the field of Politics completed over the summer months (May-August) of your degree programme. It is a compulsory element of your degree amounting to sixty credits (providing one-third of the credits for your degree). It is designed to enable students to undertake independent research and, through this, allow them to develop a specialised knowledge in an area of the Politics discipline which is of particular interest to them. Thus, it may draw upon, and develop an existing topic or issue associated with a module that they have studied in the earlier part of their programme, or emerge out of a student's specific research interest in an area not covered by other module modules. Although the dissertation is meant to be an exercise in independent research and writing, each student will be offered guidance and support through the assigning of a supervisor within the department who will oversee the progress of the dissertation.
This course aims to provide a critical overview of the theory and practice of two of the crucial 'end' stages of the policy process: delivery and evaluation. The module will examine how governments and public agencies around the world have sought to upgrade their delivery and evaluation capacity in recent decades. Lectures will be given by staff and leading practitioners who have front-line experience and knowledge. The course will explore the development of theoretical and empirical academic literature and provide opportunities for students to apply this material to selected case studies relevant to the group. Practitioners will be encouraged to reflect on their practices and experiences.
The module provides you with advanced research skills, including the ability to select and use relevant resources effectively and to devise research questions appropriate for postgraduate research. You will develop the capacity to undertake independent guided research at postgraduate level.
This module teaches you to use advanced quantitative skills appropriate for postgraduate research. Further, you will be able to analyse, interpret, critique and replicate published research using quantitative research methods and will acquire sufficient technical competence using SPSS to perform a range of quantitative techniques in your own research.
This module will provide a structured introduction to key issues and concepts in policy analysis. The module will give students a solid grounding in theories of the policy-making process while enabling students to apply those insights to practical case-studies of policy formulation and implementation in the real world. The module will also provide students with background on the key traditions and approaches to public administration and policy-making in countries around the world, both developing and developed countries. Issues to be covered on the module will include the nature of public policies; the policy context: institutions and actors; theoretical approaches to the policy process; policy problems and agenda-setting; decision-making; implementation/new public management; evaluation; governance; public policy beyond the nation-state; policy change and policy convergence; future challenges for policy-makers.
Assessment
Dissertation
The dissertation in the final semester is your opportunity to conduct in-depth and independent research on a topic that is of direct interest in advancing your career goals or progressing your research agenda. Past dissertation topics have included:
- EU-Facilitated Policy Transfer: A Comparative Analysis of the Policy-Learning Mechanisms Created Through Erasmus+ and the Youth Guarantee to Tackle Youth Unemployment in Estonia
- American Exceptionalism and the Foreign Policy Rhetoric of President Barack Obama
- How is new social media changing the policy-making process?
- Are integration policies failing Somali communities?
- Why was British foreign policy towards the 2011 Arab Spring inconsistent? A comparative study of Bahrain, Egypt and Libya
Teaching
Our interdisciplinary approach offers blended educational pathways, including lectures led by internationally recognised academics, guest speakers and lively group discussions with your peers.
There are also many opportunities to enhance your studies by attending extra-curricular seminars and groups specific topics, including:
- European politics
- international relations
- political theory
- global security and development .
We invest in both your educational and personal development, and you will be assigned an Academic Adviser who will support you during your studies.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
At Queen Mary you will have access to a number of advanced facilities, some of which are designated exclusively to postgraduate students. These include:
- £39 million Graduate Centre featuring a 200 seat lecture theatre, purpose-built study spaces, a café and an exclusive rooftop common room
- Mile End Institute, a major policy centre based at Queen Mary which brings together policymakers, academics and local communities to address national political challenges - the institute holds a number of exciting and engaging events throughout the year that are open to students
- State-of-the-art media suite with editing software (QUBE)
- Access to some of London’s outstanding facilities including the British Library, Senate House Library and Copac
Campus
You will be studying in the heart of London, the UK’s capital. Home to parliament, political think tanks and economic powerhouses, London is where all the action takes place. We host a range of high-profile speakers on campus, and offer students regular contact with Westminster, Whitehall and the third sector through our events.
About the School
School of Politics and International Relations
The School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary has an interdisciplinary structure that enables us to deliver a modern approach to educational research.
With a focus on high-quality teaching and innovation, the school ensures engaging educational pathways, alongside supportive staff and excellent research facilities. Our staff are active researchers with diverse interests across politics, international relations, and sociology, from security and war to migration and environmental politics, which is reflected in our high-level teaching and the breadth of our programmes.
We are also a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK.
Career paths
A postgraduate qualification from the School of Politics and International Relations offers a competitive advantage to entry into a number of professions. In addition, this MRes programme will provide you with advanced skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods which could help you work towards an MPhil or PhD.
During your studies you'll have access to support at every stage in your degree, including one-to-one academic guidance, tailored workshops, and external guest speakers on topics such as careers in public affairs and working in parliament.
Public Policy graduates have progressed to work for:
- Department for Education
- local councils
- Institute of Engineering.
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £12,250
- Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £6,150
- Overseas: £12,750
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in Politics or a related discipline.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the School of Politics and International Relations falls within the following English band:
Band 5: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.