MA Social and Public Policy

You will critically engage with the theoretical and empirical dimensions of social and public policy development, drawing on different disciplinary traditions to understand policy-making in multiple contexts. You will gain detailed knowledge of policy processes, assessing the ways in which policy-making seeks to respond to complex social problems and exploring the location of policies in their wider institutional, social, political and economic context.

Your studies will enable you to engage in informed debate around the distribution of power and resources, and how this intersects with the interests and activities of policy actors, and influences policy outcomes. You will develop professional and digital skills including the retrieval, interpretation and presentation of evidence, and learn how to communicate and represent complex ideas to a range of audiences. Your independent research project provides an opportunity for you to apply your research design skills to an in-depth exploration of a policy-related topic.

As a graduate of this programme, you will be equipped to transfer your knowledge, insights and skills to your professional life. Our graduates work across the public, private and non-profit sectors, contributing to the public good and social progress in their chosen careers.

Undergraduate degree 2:2 or equivalent

Other qualifications and experience You will also be considered if you have relevant work experience and academic potential

Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component

Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component

Oxford ELLT 7, minimum 6 in each component

Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components

LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component

LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component

Kaplan Test of English Language 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components

Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component

PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component

TOEFL 87, minimum of 21 in each component

Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component

Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component

Oxford ELLT 7, minimum 6 in each component

Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components

LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component

LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component

Kaplan Test of English Language 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components

Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component

PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component

TOEFL 87, minimum of 21 in each component

Trinity ISE III Merit in all components