International Public Policy and Development

The 21st century is witnessing novel global challenges related to terrorism, food supply, climate change, migratory pressures and emerging resource geo-politics. These challenges are complex and multi-level in nature, rendering policy solutions problematic. Political authority is also more scattered than ever, resting with actors as different as international agencies, global policy networks, public-private partnerships or transnational NGOs, in addition to the traditional nation state.

Royal Holloway’s MSc in International Public Policy provides students with a detailed and systematic understanding of how political institutions, processes and public policies operate in world affairs. The course brings together the academic study of International Relations with a practice-based analysis of public policy formulation and governance beyond the nation-state.

Drawing from International Relations, public policy and comparative politics, the MSc in International Public Policy will equip you with the theoretical tools and practical skills necessary for an in-depth understanding of policy-making to address contemporary transnational phenomena.

You will study a mixture of core units and elective options, including a generous choice of free options, and write a supervised dissertation over the summer. Optional modules for the programme cover key policy areas such as US foreign policy, migration and refugees, terrorism, energy and resources or food security, in addition to south Asian politics, EU foreign and security policy, media and war, and international law. Teaching is conducted primarily in small group seminars, supplemented by individual tuition for the dissertation. The course puts a premium on bridging theory and practice, by featuring practice elements and focusing on real world challenges.

The Department of Politics and International Relations has a strong commitment to high quality, cutting-edge research which informs our teaching. We are a research community that draws on various methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of domestic, transnational, regional and global politics. This includes research into areas such as security, international diplomacy, international law, the use of military force, the European Union and the impact of new communication technology on politics, nationalism and migration.