Public Policy PDip

Course Overview

Watch course video presentation here.

The MA in Public Policy prepares its graduates to work in government, public bodies, civil society organisations, NGOs, international organisations, businesses and other fields and organisations that require an expert understanding of policymaking, administration and governance. In addition to core policy and research training modules, it offers a field trip to Brussels to examine EU policy- and decision-making and specialised modules in specific policy areas such as: Advocacy and Development Gender Peace, Conflict and Human Security Ageing Child and Family Ocean and Marine Urban Policy Social Welfare and Negotiations. Students can also opt for a module in data analytics for public policy. At a time when policy design and implementation are increasingly subject to political scrutiny and negotiation, the course emphasises the political contexts in which policy is made and the new forms of public consultation and participation.

The programme will appeal to Arts and Social Science graduates seeking a qualification that will help them to secure policy-related employment graduates from other cognate fields including Economics and Law seeking to improve their employment prospects graduates interested in pursuing PhD research.

The objectives of the programme are to:

• Equip students with theoretical knowledge of policy-making processes and key issues such as participation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Enhance students' skills in communication, innovative thinking, negotiation, presentation, teamwork, and writing skills
• Offer direct experience of contributing to policy-making processes, analysing current policies, and suggesting solutions to policy problems while working in teams and as individuals.
• Introduce students to expert knowledge on a range of key national and international policy issues.

• Introduce students to the concept of participation in policy-making, with particular emphasis on the use of public consultations.

As an international student you might be able to apply for a scholarship and here is a link to those available at University of Galway. NOTE: this MA is now eligible for the Irish-Palestine Fellowship Aid Scholarship, information on that scheme is here.

A primary degree or its equivalent, with Second Class Honours Grade 2 overall. Applicants should also have achieved an upper Second Class Honours degree (2.1) or equivalent, GPAs of at least 3.0 of 4.0 or equivalent for international students, in a relevant subject such as Sociology, Politics, Public or Social Policy, Geography, History, a language, Economics, Business, Law. An interview may, in addition, form part of the application process.

This programme will be particularly useful for students wishing to work in European, regional and international organisations (e.g., EU, Council of Europe, UN agencies), central or local levels of government, public bodies, civil society organisations, NGOs, businesses and multi-national corporations, consultancy, public relations, journalism, and other fields and organisations that require an expert understanding of governance, policy- and decision-making.