Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £12,250
Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
The MSc in Public Policy is tailored to reflect the current political landscape, both domestic and international, meaning you get to delve into a wide gamut of topics, from European politics to political theory, global security and development.
Those teaching the programme have close links with policymakers in the UK and around the world having previously worked in government, NGOs and the private sector. The MSc in Public Policy is closely linked to the work of Queen Mary’s Mile End Institute bringing together a wide range of policymakers, politicians and thinkers, giving students opportunities for engagement and networking.
We encourage students to apply theories and concepts of public policy to better understand the practical policy challenges prevailing in their own countries. Our approach is solutions-focused: we want our students to contribute to actively solving the biggest public problems affecting our societies.
The course is intended to equip students with the tools and insights to become an effective policymaker either in the public, private or not-for-profit sector. You can sharpen your practical skills in areas such as data analysis and writing effective policy briefings.
At a base level, you will study how problems are addressed within political institutions. You will gain theoretical and practical insights into policy formation and implementation and most importantly, explore the development, implementation and evaluation of a wide range of policies.
Structure
- Two compulsory modules
- Two optional 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.
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.
Elective modules
Students will get a comprehensive understanding of how migration policy works at European and International levels and of the cutting-edge debates surrounding the so-called 'migration crisis'. Students will explore and critically analyse the causes and consequences of the migration crises from a public policy perspective. The module is divided in four parts. First, migration as a phenomenon of globalisation is introduced as well as the way states and the supranational level (EU and UN) have developed policies to `manage' and `control¿ migration. Second, the module offer a theoretical and empirical explanation of security and border policies and practices developed to control migration as well as of policies of integration. Third, the course spends some time discuss the so-called 2015 migration and refugee `crisis¿, the policies adopted by the EU, the divergent policies adopted by European member states and the role of European cities and regions. Fourth, the course studies the migration policies that are in place in North Africa, with a specific focus on the Moroccan immigration reform, and in West Africa, with a focus on ECOWAS.
The module provides students with a detailed examination - and critique - of theories of globalisation and assessment of contemporary globalising processes, and how these particularly influence the developing world. It examines these influences through detailed analysis of contemporary manifestations of globalisation, including neo-liberalism, US hegemony and contemporary imperialism, capital flows, global commodity chains, state-market relations, patterns of global inequality, international institutions, and questions of cultural homogenisation/imperialism. The module also examines the ways in which globalisation is resisted, focusing on the rise of transnational social movements and NGOs, and the politics of anti-globalisation, and how this relates to an ostensibly post-development era. In addressing these issues, the module concludes by asking the most important question: how do we think of development in an era of globalisation, US hegemony, neo-liberalism and imperialism?
This module will consider the principal forms in which US foreign policy has been practised and interpreted since the foundation of the Republic. Amongst these are American Exceptionalism and Anti-Americanism, spheres of influence, liberal interventionism and protectionist isolationism, Cold War containment, the War on Terror following 9/11, and the strains on unipolarity in the early 21st century. Amongst the case studies linked to these themes, we shall consider the role of Native Americans and immigration, the war of 1898, gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean, the ideas of Woodrow Wilson, the Vietnam War, the consequences of the 9/11 attacks, and the challenges posed by China.
This module will examine the key concepts, debates, actors and processes within international public policy in the contemporary period. Concepts explored include cooperation, international law, globalisation and governance, and regionalism. The module will explore the role of various agents, including states, international organisations, regiobal organisations, private authorities and NGOs in the processes of international public policy-making. The course also examines these issues through a series of case studies, including climate change negotiations, the global financial crisis, human rights regimes, European policy-making and the International Criminal Court.
This module provides an introduction to the theoretical foundations of the contemporary analyses of advanced capitalism. How have thinkers within politics and economics theorised and analysed the relationship between the two disciplines? Is it even possible to analytically distinguish between the two? The aim of this module is to answer these two questions by reference to the major theories within the field of political economy. The module analyses both classical and contemporary theories of political economy, and explores their continued relevance to understanding the development of advanced capitalism. Towards the end of the module we will consider some heterodox approaches brought to the fore by the onset of the ongoing financial and economic crisis and consider their relevance.
This module provides an overview of key developments in public administration and management from a comparative perspective. It combines theoretical perspectives with discussion of a wide range of case studies to consider what makes effective public management and what are the different styles of public management and how this affects public administration. The module will use the comparative method to look at the different ways public management is implemented in Europe and in other OECD countries and in understanding why is there variation across countries in public management. The module surveys a range of techniques including performance management and quality assurance, and considers contemporary debates such as the role of markets and partnerships in public management. At the end of the module you should be able to understand the factors influencing the shift from the public administration to the public management paradigm and demonstrate a critical awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of management approaches. Upon completion of the module, successful students will have a thorough knowledge of the current theories and practices in public management, how public administration have been affected at global, EU and OECD countries' levels and potential solutions to its set of problems.
US politics attracts high levels of attention around elections, but far less notice afterwards. In order to understand the politics of the United States, we must study not only who holds power but also how power is exercised. Public policy is the marshalling of public resources and legal power to shape individual and collective outcomes. This module explores the US policy-making process before examining a wide range of domestic and foreign policy competences, such as education, housing, trade, and immigration.
Welfare states are about life, death and money. They aim to cover for risks occurring during individuals' life course, such as unemployment or sickness, and by doing so they consume considerable portion of public budget of the contemporary states. The module will be based on research-led teaching and will provide students with systematic understanding of the policy and politics of welfare from a global comparative perspective. The module will also offer sustained engagements with debates surrounding the politics of welfare across five major welfare sectors - education, healthcare, unemployment, family and pension policy.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through coursework. You will also be assessed through an individual dissertation.
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
The school annually awards the Marc Lane-Martine prize for best masters dissertation in Public Policy.
Teaching
Our interdisciplinary approach includes lectures led by internationally recognised academics and interaction with Queen Mary’s independent Virtual Learning Environment, QMplus.
You will gain invaluable insight from guest speakers, experience ground-breaking research and develop communication skills through interactive seminars, presentations and lively group discussions with your peers.
We invest in both your educational and personal development, and you will be assigned an Academic Advisor who will support you during your studies.
There are also many opportunities to enhance your studies by attending extra-curricular seminars and groups focusing on:
- European politics
- international relations
- political theory
- global security and development.
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:
- Mile End Institute, a major policy centre based at Queen Mary which brings together policymakers, academics and local communities to address national political challenges
- state-of-the-art media suite with editing software (QUBE)
- A Graduate Centre, offering purpose-built study spaces and an exclusive rooftop common room
- Think Pod - an interactive collaboration space with presentation, recording and video conferencing facilities
- 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 masters from the School of Politics and International Relations offers a competitive advantage to entry into a number of professions.
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
- The 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.
Other routes
Candidates that do not currently meet the set entry requirements may also have the option to study the Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences. Meeting the required grades on completion of this programme will provide a pathway to study MSc Public Policy.
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.