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### Program Overview
The Politics and Public Policy MA at Cardiff University is a dynamic one-year program designed for graduates eager to dive into the challenges of modern governance, policy-making, and global politics, equipping you with the analytical tools to influence real-world change. It's perfect for those with a background in politics, international relations, or related fields who want to build expertise in public administration and policy analysis, blending rigorous academics with practical skills for careers in government, NGOs, or think tanks.
### Curriculum Structure
Year 1 (Full-time MA)
You'll kick off with core modules like *International Humanitarian Law and Global Justice* and *Modern British Governance*, exploring how humanitarian principles shape global responses to crises and dissecting the evolution of UK policy-making from devolution to contemporary challenges. As the year progresses, you'll tackle *Multilevel Governance: Concepts and Debates* alongside electives such as *Critical Security Studies* or *Gender and the State*, gaining a nuanced understanding of power dynamics across local, national, and supranational levels while applying theoretical debates to pressing issues like security and inequality. The program culminates in a dissertation, where you'll conduct independent research on a policy topic of your choice, honing your ability to produce publishable-quality work under expert supervision.
### Focus Areas
- Global governance and humanitarian interventions
- British and multilevel policy-making
- Security, gender, and critical policy debates
- Dissertation-led research on contemporary issues
### Learning Outcomes
By graduation, you'll master advanced policy analysis, critically evaluate governance structures, and develop evidence-based recommendations—skills validated through assessments like policy briefs, essays, and your dissertation. Graduates emerge as confident analysts ready to engage with complex political environments, with enhanced research, communication, and strategic thinking abilities.
### Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This MA aligns closely with professional standards in public policy and administration, drawing on Cardiff's partnerships with bodies like the Welsh Government and UK civil service. While not formally accredited by a single body, it meets the competencies outlined by the Joint University Council Public Administration Committee (JUCIPAC), preparing you for roles requiring Chartered Public Policy Practitioner status.
### Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Cardiff University ranks in the top 10 UK universities for graduate prospects in Politics (Guardian University Guide 2025), with 95% of School of Law and Politics postgraduates in employment or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21). The program boasts strong QS World University Rankings by Subject performance (top 150 globally for Politics, 2025), reflecting its reputation for producing leaders in policy and public affairs.
[Official program page](https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/politics-and-public-policy-msc)
At Cardiff University's Politics and Public Policy MA, you'll dive straight into hands-on learning that builds real-world skills right from the start. Our program emphasises practical application through policy simulations, collaborative projects, and direct engagement with policymakers, using dedicated spaces like the Wales Governance Centre and cutting-edge digital resources to prepare you for careers in government, think tanks, or NGOs. This approach ensures you're not just studying theory—you're actively shaping policy insights with tools and experiences tailored to the field.
Here's how our experiential learning comes to life, drawing directly from the program's structure:
- Policy labs and simulations: Participate in the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence's policy labs, where you'll use digital tools like qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo) and quantitative platforms (e.g., Stata or R) to model real policy scenarios, such as devolution impacts in Wales.
- Group projects with live briefs: Work in teams on group research projects partnered with organisations like the Welsh Government or Senedd, analysing public policy challenges and presenting findings—building teamwork and presentation skills essential for policy roles.
- Internships and placements: Access supported internships through our dedicated placements team, including opportunities with the National Assembly for Wales, civil service fast streams, or NGOs, with many students securing paid roles during or post-programme.
- Field trips and site visits: Join organised trips to key sites like the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) and Brussels institutions, gaining firsthand exposure to policy-making in action, often tied to modules like European Governance.
- Research institutes and facilities: Collaborate at the Wales Governance Centre, a leading hub for constitutional and public policy research, with access to specialist libraries like the Research and Information Services at the Senedd and our own Arts & Social Sciences Library housing 1.5 million+ items, including policy archives and journals.
- Dedicated research spaces: Utilise the school's research laboratories and data labs equipped for advanced social science analysis, plus the Transnational Alliance hub for global policy simulations.
This practical edge sets our graduates apart—many land roles in policy advisory straight after. Ready to apply? Check the full facilities and resources here: [Cardiff University School of Law and Politics Facilities](https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/law-and-politics/about-us/facilities). Applications are open—let's get you started!
At Cardiff University's School of Law and Politics, our Politics and Public Policy MA stands out because it goes beyond lectures to give you hands-on experience that employers really value. You'll build practical skills through real-world projects, policy simulations, and direct engagement with policymakers, all using cutting-edge resources right on campus. This means you'll graduate ready to hit the ground running in government, think tanks, or NGOs.
Here's how our program delivers that experiential edge::
- Group projects and simulations: Dive into collaborative policy analysis workshops where you'll work in teams to tackle live issues like devolution or global governance, honing negotiation and teamwork skills just like in real policy environments.
- Internships and placements: Access exclusive opportunities through our partnerships, including paid internships with the Welsh Government, Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), and organizations like the Bevan Foundation—many students secure roles that lead straight to full-time jobs.
- Field trips and site visits: Join trips to key sites such as the UK Parliament in Westminster, Brussels institutions, or local assemblies, giving you insider perspectives on policy in action.
- Dedicated research facilities: Use the specialist Wales Governance Centre, home to the Centre for Legislative Studies, with its own policy labs and data archives for hands-on research into devolved governance and public policy.
- Digital tools and software: Get trained on industry-standard tools like NVivo for qualitative data analysis, GIS mapping software for spatial policy work, and Stata or R for quantitative policy modeling, all supported by our state-of-the-art computer clusters.
- Libraries and institutes: Tap into the world-class Cardiff University Library with its dedicated Politics and Public Policy collection (over 1.5 million print volumes and extensive e-resources), plus affiliation with the interdisciplinary Cardiff City Region Economic and Skills Partnership for policy-focused networking.
This practical focus is why our graduates land roles at places like the Civil Service, UN agencies, and major consultancies—imagine yourself there! Ready to take the next step? Applications are open now, and I'd love to chat about tailoring yours. Check out our full facilities list here: [Cardiff University Facilities](https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/facilities).
Degree certificate and transcripts showing a 2:2 honours degree in economics, English, geography, history, international relations, journalism, law, modern languages, philosophy, politics, psychology, religious studies, sociology, social policy, or an equivalent international degreeInterim transcripts or provisional certificates if degree is pendingIELTS certificate with overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or accepted equivalentTOEFL: At least 88 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speakingSigned and dated employer references (if applying based on professional experience)Evidence of professional registration with a relevant regulatory or professional body (if applying based on professional experience)UK: 2:2 honours degreeIndia: You will need successful completion of a relevant bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with a grade of approximately 55% - 60%.China: You will be required to have a relevant four-year bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with grades of approximately 80% or above to qualify for our postgraduate taught courses.A minimum GPA of at least 2.8 is usually required and admissions tutors will pay special attention to key subject classes.roles within the publicprivate and third sectorsroles at localWelshUKEU and international levelsundertake a PhD
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