MA Global Public Policy and International Business

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of York

Program Overview

The MA Global Public Policy and International Business at the University of York is a 2-year part-time programme that dives into how economic, political, and social forces shape the global challenges facing businesses and governments today. It's perfect for students with an interest in international affairs who want to build sharp analytical skills through real-world case studies and research, preparing you for roles in multinationals, policy bodies, or NGOs.

### Curriculum structure
Year 1
You'll kick off with a strong foundation in core concepts, starting with Research Design, where you'll learn to craft robust research strategies for policy and business questions, and Investigating Contemporary Policy Problems, which equips you to dissect real-time global issues using evidence-based methods. This builds into International Business in the Global Context, exploring how companies navigate supranational regulations, trade dynamics, and ethical dilemmas in diverse markets, giving you practical insights into corporate responses to worldwide pressures.

Year 2
Building on your skills, you'll deepen your expertise through advanced modules that tie theory to practice, conducting independent research on topics like regional governance or corporate social responsibility. The focus shifts to synthesizing your learning into a dissertation or project, applying tools from earlier years to analyze how businesses and organizations tackle global societal problems. You'll emerge with transferable skills like presenting complex ideas and handling data analysis, ready to influence policy and strategy.

Focus areas
Global public policy, international business strategies, supranational governance, corporate ethics, and social responsibility in a complex world.

Learning outcomes
Develop advanced analytical skills, criticality for global challenges, effective communication of ideas, and competencies in information retrieval and evidence reporting using IT tools—preparing you for senior roles in business, government, and nonprofits.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
Housed in the interdisciplinary School for Business and Society, this programme aligns with real-world needs in public policy and management, drawing on research-informed teaching without specific external accreditation noted, but emphasizing skills for policy-making and multinational leadership.

Reputation (employability rankings)
York's postgraduate programmes in social policy and business, including this MA, benefit from the university's strong standing in relevant fields; while specific rankings for this course aren't detailed, the School for Business and Society leads in tackling social and environmental issues, boosting graduate prospects in policy and international roles.

[Official programme link](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/ma-global-public-policy-international-business/)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

# Why the MA Global Public Policy and International Business at York Could Transform Your Career

The MA Global Public Policy and International Business is designed to get you working on real-world challenges from day one, not just studying them in theory. You'll develop advanced analytical skills through engaging with case studies and conducting your own research, while building the practical competencies that employers actually want—effective communication, complex problem-solving, and evidence-based analysis. The programme emphasizes hands-on learning that bridges the gap between academic insight and professional practice, preparing you to make an immediate impact in your career.

## How You'll Learn by Doing

The programme combines lectures with research-informed study, giving you multiple ways to engage with material and develop skills that transfer directly to your professional life. You'll work through interdisciplinary modules that draw on real global policy agendas and business challenges, meaning every assignment connects to problems organizations are actually solving right now. Here's what makes the learning experience distinctive:

- Research and analytical projects embedded throughout your core modules, including dedicated research design training that teaches you methodology you'll use professionally
- Real-world problem solving through modules like "Investigating Contemporary Policy Problems," where you apply theories to actual policy challenges
- Interdisciplinary approach drawing on social policy, public policy, and business management perspectives housed in the School for Business and Society, giving you cross-disciplinary tools most graduates don't have
- Advanced IT and computer skills development integrated into your coursework, including information retrieval and social scientific evidence analysis
- Independent research opportunity where you can explore an applied topic of your choice, transferring classroom learning directly into professional-level work
- Presentation and communication skills practised throughout, since you'll be presenting complex ideas to both academic and policy-interested audiences
- Access to York's research facilities and libraries supporting your independent projects and dissertations

The combination of core policy modules with flexibility to choose options means you're not just learning generic skills—you're building expertise tailored to the global business and policy sectors where you want to work. Graduates emerge ready for senior positions in multinationals, development agencies, policy-making bodies, and non-profit organisations.

For detailed information about facilities and support services available to postgraduate students, visit the University of York postgraduate study pages.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of York, our MA Global Public Policy and International Business stands out for its strong focus on experiential learning, where you'll build practical skills through real-world case studies, your own research projects, and hands-on analysis of global challenges like corporate responses to ethical issues and supranational policy agendas. Housed in the interdisciplinary School for Business and Society, the program equips you with tools for information retrieval, data analysis using computer and IT skills, effective communication of complex ideas, and presenting social scientific evidence—all tailored to help you tackle live problems in international business and policy.

This approach turns theory into action, preparing you for roles in multinationals, NGOs, or government: here are some key ways you'll gain that edge:

- Research projects and modules: Dive into modules like Research Design and Investigating Contemporary Policy Problems, where you'll conduct your own in-depth research on global issues, honing analytical skills with real case studies from politics, economics, and business.
- Group seminars and small-group teaching: Collaborate in seminars on topics like International Business in the Global Context, developing teamwork and presentation skills as you debate and analyze how corporations and organizations address global societal problems.
- IT and data tools: Master computer-based skills for retrieving, analyzing, and reporting evidence, including social scientific data handling—no specific software named, but emphasized for policy and business applications.
- Interdisciplinary facilities in the School for Business and Society: Access research-informed spaces supporting studies in public policy, business, and society, with connections to real-world agendas via the school's work on sustainability, inclusive growth, and public accountability.

This hands-on experience, backed by world-leading academics, will give you the confidence and competencies employers crave—imagine applying these skills right away in senior policy or business roles. Ready to take the next step? Check out York's full facilities list here: [University of York facilities](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/campus/). Let's chat about your application!