International Public Policy MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University College London

Program Overview

This MSc equips students with the analytical and practical skills to understand, design, and evaluate public policy in a global context. It suits graduates aiming for careers in government, NGOs, international organisations, or consultancy, offering rigorous training in political science, policy analysis, and research methods.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (Full-time, one year only)

In the first term, you’ll establish a strong foundation with compulsory modules such as International Public Policy, Theories and Institutions of Public Policy, and Policy-Making and Regulation in Europe. These courses introduce you to the complexities of policy-making across different political systems and the role of international institutions in shaping governance.

In the second term, you’ll deepen your expertise with methods training in modules like Qualitative Methods: Case Studies and Comparative Analysis and Causal Inference, alongside optional courses tailored to your interests (for example, Global Security Policy or International Political Economy). This stage emphasises applied learning, comparative case studies, and methodological rigour.

The year culminates in a dissertation, where you conduct independent research on a public policy issue of your choice, applying theoretical and empirical training to a substantive global challenge.

Focus Areas

International public policy, political institutions, comparative governance, regulation, international political economy, global security, research methods.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will gain the ability to critically analyse public policy processes, design and evaluate policy interventions, and apply advanced research methods to international governance challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Delivered by UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, recognised internationally for excellence in public policy and governance.
Students benefit from Policy and Practice seminars, Departmental Research Seminars, and networking opportunities with policymakers and practitioners.
Access to UCL’s Global Governance Institute, which hosts events, workshops, and podcasts on pressing global challenges.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UCL ranks 9th globally (QS World University Rankings 2025) and 2nd in the UK for research power (REF 2021).
Alumni progress into careers with government ministries, NGOs, international organisations, and consultancy firms, supported by UCL’s strong employability record (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017–2022).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the most valuable aspects of UCL’s MSc in International Public Policy is how it blends rigorous academic study with hands-on experiences that mirror the realities of global policy-making. You won’t just learn about theories of governance — you’ll actively participate in seminars, collaborative projects, and research training that sharpen your ability to design, evaluate, and implement policy in international contexts. The program is closely tied to UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, giving you access to world-class facilities, practitioner networks, and interdisciplinary institutes.

Here’s how experiential learning is embedded into the MSc in International Public Policy:

Policy and Practice Seminars: Weekly sessions bring in policymakers, NGO leaders, and international experts, allowing students to debate pressing global issues and gain insights into professional practice.
Collaborative Group Projects: Core modules such as International Public Policy and Theories and Institutions of Public Policy encourage teamwork through case studies and comparative analysis, sharpening collaborative and presentation skills.
Research Methods Training: Students gain hands-on experience with qualitative and quantitative tools (e.g., Qualitative Methods: Case Studies and Comparative Analysis, Causal Inference), ensuring they can design and conduct independent policy research.
Digital Tools & Data Resources: Access to UCL’s Social Data Institute provides training in social data analysis and digital research methods relevant to public policy evaluation.
Capstone Dissertation: The program culminates in an independent research project where students apply methodological training to a substantive global policy issue, demonstrating their ability to bridge theory and practice.
Libraries & Resources: Students benefit from UCL’s Main Library and the School of Public Policy collections, which house extensive resources in political science, governance, and international relations.
Global Governance Institute: As part of UCL’s wider network, students engage with the Global Governance Institute, which hosts workshops, events, and podcasts on pressing governance challenges.
Networking Opportunities: Through departmental seminars and practitioner-led workshops, students connect with professionals from government ministries, NGOs, and international organisations, building valuable career networks.

This combination of seminars, practice-based modules, research training, and institute-led engagement ensures you graduate not only with advanced theoretical knowledge but also with the practical, policy-ready skills to thrive in international public policy.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of UCL’s MSc in International Public Policy are equipped to take on influential roles in global governance and policy-making. Alumni typically move into positions such as policy analysts in government ministries, consultants in international organisations, NGO programme managers, and researchers in think tanks. The program’s strong methodological training and practitioner engagement ensure you’ll graduate ready to shape policy at national and international levels:

University Services: UCL’s Careers Service offers tailored support, including one-to-one career coaching, employer-led workshops, and access to the UCL Alumni Network, connecting you with graduates working in government, NGOs, and consultancy firms worldwide.
Employment Stats: UCL ranks 9th globally (QS World University Rankings 2025) and is consistently recognised for graduate employability. Alumni from the Department of Political Science have progressed into roles in government ministries, NGOs, intergovernmental institutions, and PhD programmes.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from Policy and Practice seminars and collaborations with practitioners through the Global Governance Institute, which hosts events, workshops, and podcasts with policymakers and scholars.
Long-term Accreditation Value: Delivered by UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, the MSc carries long-term credibility and recognition across academia and professional practice worldwide.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni advance into government ministries, NGOs, consultancy firms, international organisations, and doctoral research, building careers that directly influence international public policy and governance.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MSc in International Public Policy, students often continue into a PhD in Political Science at UCL or related doctoral programmes in international relations, public policy, or global governance. This pathway allows graduates to build on their dissertation research, contribute to cutting-edge scholarship, and prepare for academic careers or senior advisory roles in global institutions.