Taught course
Public Policy
Entry requirements
2:1 degree in a related subject is normally required. We will also consider applications where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent result and/or extensive relevant experience. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
Months of entry
October
Course content
Why Lancaster?
- Learn through real-life case studies, work alongside policy practitioners, and confront problems surrounding public policymaking
- Look at the world of policy through a critical lens and apply your skills to complete a portfolio project where you’ll create policy recommendations
- Be surrounded by experts who work with UK parliament, make regular media appearances and want to shape the future of policymaking
- Join a community that cares about ethical policymaking, focusing on an applied approach that drives change
How is public policy made? What challenges do policymakers face? And how do we construct policy solutions to policy problems? Study with us to explore these vital questions and confront the puzzles of public policymaking.
Fresh ideas to meet big challenges
Conflict, climate change, cost of living. Global crises cannot be solved by one individual. To make a change, we need to take collective action – and without policy that wouldn’t be possible. The world needs good policymakers with new ideas and a fresh approach to tackle the stalemate that policy has reached.
If you want to work in the world of international, national or local policy, you need to know how it’s made. This programme unpacks policymaking and gives you the skills to research, evaluate and create policy.
You might recognise some of our teaching team from their media appearances, perhaps talking about maritime security or the Middle East. You might have picked up their books in a shop – one academic has recently published on Labour's immigration policy.
Learn the skills to create policy
You'll hear from our expert academics on different domains, from local government to national defence. Our aim is to also hear perspectives from policy practitioners in different roles.
Instead of a traditional dissertation, you’ll complete a portfolio module. You’ll look at a specific area, use policy evaluation tools and create policy recommendations. Then showcase your work at a conference which will be attended by our community of practitioners and academics.
Whether you’re interested in environmental, immigration, defence, foreign, or EU public policy, or the broader politics of policymaking, we’ll help you hone your specialism and sharpen the skills employers are looking for.
Information for international students
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Polity, Philosophy and Religion
- pprpg@lancaster.ac.uk