Global Social and Public Policy MA

12 Months On Campus Masters Program

University of Nottingham

Program Overview

The MA in Global Social and Public Policy at the University of Nottingham is designed for students who want to understand how policy shapes key global issues such as inequality, migration, and social justice, and who are ready to become leaders in policy-making or advocacy. This one-year master’s blends rigorous theory with practical skills, preparing you to analyse policy, engage with global challenges, and drive real-world change.

Curriculum Structure

Year of Study
Because this is a one-year master’s programme, your year is structured to build depth and professional capability progressively. You’ll start with core modules like Exploring Policy: Key Theories and Debate and Policy Design: Success and Failure, which ground you in foundational policy concepts, critical perspectives, and the process of designing and evaluating real policies.

As you move forward, you’ll develop essential research skills in Research Methods: Practical Skills for Policy Research, learning how to design and carry out investigations that inform high-impact policy decisions, and begin preparing your dissertation with support from dedicated supervisors.

In the final phase, you’ll complete your Final Project, a sustained, student-led piece of research where you define your own question, apply methods you’ve learned, and reflect on your personal academic growth, producing a substantial dissertation that showcases your expertise.

Throughout the year you’ll also have the opportunity to choose optional modules such as Global Poverty, Inequality and Policy, International Organisations and Global Governance, and Welfare and Social Policy Around the World, allowing you to tailor your studies to global development issues and governance contexts that match your interests and career goals.

Focus areas: global policy analysis, social justice, inequality, welfare policy, international governance, research design, policy evaluation.

Learning outcomes: develop critical understanding of policy theories, design and assess policy solutions, conduct rigorous policy research, communicate insights through reports, presentations, and a dissertation.

Professional alignment (accreditation): taught by active researchers and policy practitioners with links to governments, community organisations, and international bodies, giving your degree practical credibility in policy and social sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Nottingham is a top 100 university globally (QS World University Rankings 2026) and ranked 7th in the UK for social policy (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025), reflecting strong research excellence and graduate prospects in this field.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the Global Social and Public Policy MA, you won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll gain practical, hands-on experience that prepares you for real policy work. The programme uses assessments like group presentations, report writing, poster sessions, and reflective journals to give you skills that are directly applicable to careers with governments, NGOs, and international organisations. You’ll be part of a community where you can connect with active researchers and policy practitioners, and you’ll have access to facilities that support both individual study and collaborative projects. The University of Nottingham also offers a rich research and policy engagement environment, giving you the chance to explore real-world issues and see how policy ideas are applied beyond the classroom.

Experiential learning at Nottingham for this programme includes:

Access to lecture and seminar spaces as well as postgraduate study areas for group collaboration and independent research.
Eight libraries, including extensive collections of books, journals, and online resources to support your policy research and writing.
Research support through the University Libraries team, including help with literature reviews, data management, and specialist tools for planning and publishing research.
Opportunities to engage with the Institute for Policy and Engagement, a hub connecting academic insights with real policy discussions and public impact activities.
Group work, discussions, and presentations embedded into the curriculum to mirror real-world policy analysis and teamwork.
Assessment formats like poster presentations and reflective learning diaries that help build your communication, analytical, and professional reflection skills in practical contexts.

These experiences help you develop practical skills that are directly relevant to policy careers, while high-quality resources and research engagement opportunities support your growth as an independent thinker and practitioner.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Global Social and Public Policy MA at the University of Nottingham go on to make an impact in policy, international development, research, and advocacy. Typical early career roles include policy analyst, research officer in NGOs, government advisor, and programme coordinator at international organisations, giving you a solid foundation for meaningful, global work ahead. Here’s how the university supports your success in the job market:

Careers support tailored to you: The University’s Careers and Employability Service offers one-to-one coaching, help building CVs and résumés, interview preparation, and opportunities to meet employers through career fairs where hundreds of organisations advertise jobs and internships each year. Postgraduate students can continue using careers resources even after finishing their degree.
Strong employment outcomes: Recent data from the School of Sociology and Social Policy shows that over 90% of postgraduates secured graduate-level employment or went on to further study within 15 months of graduating, with average starting salaries around £29,000 per year.
Industry and sector engagement: While formal internships aren’t part of every course, the Careers Service and the University’s wide network of employers provide many opportunities for work experience, internships, and project placements in public, charitable, and international sectors.
Accreditation and long-term value: A Nottingham degree is recognised internationally and is associated with strong research activity and global engagement, giving you credibility whether you move into government, civil society, or international organisations.
Graduate destinations and sectors: Alumni work in NGOs, local and national government offices, international organisations, and policy research institutes, applying the skills developed in this programme to analyse, design, and influence public and social policy.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies after this MA, you’re well-positioned to pursue research degrees such as an MPhil or PhD in social policy, public policy, political science, or related social science fields. The strong research foundation in this programme, combined with support from academic staff and the department, makes doctoral study a natural next step for careers in academia, high-level research, or specialised policy analysis.