Public Policy MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

The MSc in Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London gives you the analytical tools and real-world insights to tackle pressing social, economic, and political challenges, from local governance to global policy issues. Designed for aspiring policymakers, this program blends theory with practice so you can understand policy formation, implementation, evaluation, and delivery in diverse international contexts.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1 (Core & Foundations):
You’ll begin by building a solid foundation in how public policy works in the real world. The module Theories and Concepts in Public Policy introduces key frameworks that shape policy debates, while Evaluation and Delivery in Public Policy develops your ability to assess how governments and organizations put policy into action. Together, these modules give you both academic and practical perspectives on how decisions are made, executed, and evaluated.

Year 1 (Optional Modules & Dissertation):
As you progress, you can choose optional modules that match your interests, such as International Migration Policy, Globalisation and the International Political Economy of Development, or International Public Policy: Concepts and Practice. Alongside these electives, you will complete a 12,000-word dissertation, allowing you to specialize in a policy area that aligns with your career goals.

Focus areas:
Public policy theory, policy evaluation and delivery, comparative policymaking, global development, governance, public management, international institutions.

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to critically analyze policy processes, design evidence-based recommendations, assess delivery frameworks, engage with comparative public policy issues, and conduct independent research that contributes meaningfully to policy debates.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
While this program is not professionally accredited, it is designed to prepare you for careers in policymaking, government, and public affairs across national and international institutions, providing skills recognized by employers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Reputation (employability & rankings):
Queen Mary University of London is a research-intensive Russell Group university with a strong record of academic excellence and global impact. It consistently ranks among the top UK universities for research quality and sits within the top 150 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen Mary, this Public Policy master’s isn’t just about lectures and essays — it’s designed so you can apply policy thinking to real-world challenges. Through interactive seminars, group work, guest speakers, independent research, and access to leading policy hubs, you’ll develop practical skills in policy analysis, writing briefs, evaluating delivery systems, and engaging with practitioners. You’ll also benefit from world-class facilities and study spaces that support collaborative learning, research, and professional development right in London’s vibrant policy environment. Opportunities to network with policymakers, participate in lively discussions, and build your confidence for professional settings are built into the programme:

Experiential opportunities include:

Guided independent dissertation research where you select a policy issue and work with an academic supervisor to investigate it in depth, building your analytical, research, and writing skills.
Interactive seminars and group discussions that challenge you to present and debate policy ideas with classmates, enhancing communication and teamwork skills.
Guest lectures and events featuring policymakers, practitioners, and external speakers, giving you insight into how policy is shaped and applied beyond the classroom.
Access to the Mile End Institute, a dedicated policy centre where academics, students, and practitioners come together on current public policy issues — a great way to connect with experts and explore topical debates.
State-of-the-art study and collaboration spaces such as the Graduate Centre and Think Pod, which support group projects, presentations, and digital work.
Use of London’s wider academic resources, including The British Library and Senate House Library, for in-depth research and evidence gathering.

These hands-on experiences are designed to strengthen both your practical policy toolkit and your professional confidence as you prepare for a career in public policy, government, NGOs, or international organisations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc in Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London go on to make an impact across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, taking roles where they help shape and implement policy at national and international levels. Typical career paths include policy analyst or advisor in government departments, public affairs consultant, researcher for think tanks or international organisations, and positions in NGOs or local authorities:

You’ll have full access to Queen Mary Careers and Enterprise, which offers tailored support from the start of your degree and for up to three years after graduation, including one-to-one career consultations, CV and application feedback, interview practice, employer-focused workshops, and networking events.
Careers support within the Department of Politics and International Relations provides dedicated guidance specific to policy and public affairs sectors, helping you strengthen employability skills such as analytical thinking, communication, and professional presentation.
Public Policy graduates have moved into professional roles in organisations like the Department for Education, local councils, and research institutions, showing the wide range of environments where this degree can take you.
While salaries vary by role and location, postgraduate degrees from Queen Mary are part of a Russell Group research-intensive university, which supports strong graduate outcomes and competitive positioning in the job market.
Being in London gives you close proximity to government hubs, policy think tanks, and international organisations, offering networking, internship, and placement opportunities that can accelerate your career progression.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MSc in Public Policy, you could choose to deepen your research expertise by pursuing an MPhil or PhD in Public Policy, Politics, or related fields, preparing you for careers in academia or high-level policy research. Alternatively, you might undertake specialised postgraduate qualifications or professional training in international development, public administration, or global governance, all of which build on the analytical and research skills you develop during this master’s.