The MA in Public Policy gives dynamic, high level training in the study of public policy and policy making at international, national and sub-state levels.

You will receive a solid grounding in key theoretical approaches to the study of public policy, and significantly develop your knowledge and skills around the subject.

This course concentrates on the skills required to work across the public policy landscape, which is today increasingly characterised by change and interdependence.

Therefore it also has relevance to evolving skills and knowledge if you are targeting a career in public policy research, policy advice, lobbying, public sector management or journalism. Or if you are already employed in the field.

Why Public Policy at Swansea?

Swansea University is a widely respected authority in the field of public policy.

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, we have the expertise and full range of facilities to ensure your learning is right up to the minute.

The Graduate Centre of the College of Arts and Humanities is designed to promote individual and collaborative research activity of international standard.

It offers a supportive environment for those pursuing postgraduate research and taught masters study, as well as training to enhance academic and professional development.

Your Public Policy Experience

You study three compulsory 20-credit international relations modules, and a further three optional modules before taking a 60-credit dissertation project in the second part of the course.

The three compulsory modules are: conceptual issues in the theory and practice of social sciences, the policy making process, and comparative governance in complex systems.

A compelling mix of further optional modules span from war and space to politics in contemporary Britain, and from cyber governance to devolution in comparative perspective.

Public Policy Employment Opportunities

You will develop a deep level of knowledge around public policy, as well as excellent oral and writing skills.

Graduates of the MA in Public Policy go on to careers in government and politics, local government, business, media and PR.

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Welsh Medium Study

Modules

You take three compulsory 20-credit international relations modules, and a further three optional modules, before taking a 60-credit dissertation project in the second part of the course.

Your three compulsory modules are: conceptual issues in the theory and practice of social sciences, the policy making process, and comparative governance in complex systems.

MA 1 Year Full-time

Year 1 (Level 7 PGT)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Choose Exactly 80 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You must take all four of the modules listed below.

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
PO-M32	Period September-January	20	Conceptual Issues In the Theory and Practice of Social Sciences
PO-M67	Period September-January	20	The Policy Making Process
PO-M87	Period January-June	20	Comparative Governance in Complex Systems
PO-M93	Period January-June	20	Analysing Politics and International Relations

AND

Optional modules

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module from TB 1 and one module from TB 2

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
PO-M40	Period January-June	20	Southeast Asian Security
PO-M46	Period September-January	20	Politics in Contemporary Britain
PO-M63	Period September-January	20	Rights-based Approaches to Development
PO-M64	Period January-June	20	Violence, Conflict and Development
PO-M75	Period September-January	20	Introduction to Development Studies
PO-M79	Period January-June	20	Gender, Society and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
PO-M85	Period September-January	20	Democracy and Constitutional Design
PO-M89	Period January-June	20	Devolution in Comparative Perspective

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Part- Two Dissertation

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students who successfully complete Part-1, progress to take the Part-2 Dissertation module below

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
PO-M25	Period September-June	60	Dissertation

MA 3 Year Part-time

Year 1 (Level 7 PGT)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Choose Minimum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You must take all four of the modules listed below during the course of your MA

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
PO-M32	Period September-January	20	Conceptual Issues In the Theory and Practice of Social Sciences
PO-M67	Period September-January	20	The Policy Making Process
PO-M87	Period January-June	20	Comparative Governance in Complex Systems
PO-M93	Period January-June	20	Analysing Politics and International Relations

AND

Optional modules

Choose Minimum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select sufficient credits to total 60 overall. You may not take more than 40 credits in any one Teaching Block

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
PO-M40	Period January-June	20	Southeast Asian Security
PO-M46	Period September-January	20	Politics in Contemporary Britain
PO-M63	Period September-January	20	Rights-based Approaches to Development
PO-M64	Period January-June	20	Violence, Conflict and Development
PO-M75	Period September-January	20	Introduction to Development Studies
PO-M79	Period January-June	20	Gender, Society and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
PO-M85	Period September-January	20	Democracy and Constitutional Design
PO-M89	Period January-June	20	Devolution in Comparative Perspective

Year 2 (Level 7 PGT)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Choose Minimum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You must take all four of the modules listed below during the course of your MA. Select whichever modules you did not take at Year 1

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
PO-M32	Period September-January	20	Conceptual Issues In the Theory and Practice of Social Sciences
PO-M67	Period September-January	20	The Policy Making Process
PO-M87	Period January-June	20	Comparative Governance in Complex Systems
PO-M93	Period January-June	20	Analysing Politics and International Relations

AND

Optional modules

Choose Minimum Of 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select sufficient credits to total 60 overall. You may not take more than 40 credits in any one Teaching Block

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
PO-M40	Period January-June	20	Southeast Asian Security
PO-M46	Period September-January	20	Politics in Contemporary Britain
PO-M63	Period September-January	20	Rights-based Approaches to Development
PO-M64	Period January-June	20	Violence, Conflict and Development
PO-M75	Period September-January	20	Introduction to Development Studies
PO-M79	Period January-June	20	Gender, Society and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
PO-M85	Period September-January	20	Democracy and Constitutional Design
PO-M89	Period January-June	20	Devolution in Comparative Perspective

Year 3 (Level 7 PGT)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Part- Two Dissertation

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students who successfully complete Part-1, progress to take the Part-2 module below

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
PO-M25	Period September-June	60	Dissertation

Entry Requirements

The typical entry requirement is a first degree in any background, normally a lower second (average 55 per cent) or above or equivalent. Overseas students are expected to possess an IELTS score of 6.5.

How You're Taught

The full-time course structure is split across the year with three modules taken in each academic semester (a total of six modules) and then a dissertation over the summer.

Students study four compulsory modules and two optional modules. The dissertation is written on a specialist research topic of the student's choosing.

Part-time study is available.

Welsh Provision

If you are a Welsh speaker our dedicated academy, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and every effort will be made to mark your work in its original language.
A Welsh-speaking personal tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.

Since 2011, there has been a 40% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our TEF* data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers in regards to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

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Tuition Fees

Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2020/21 are as follows:

		UK/EU	International
MA	Full Time	£ 7,900	£ 17,350
MA	Part Time	£ 3,950	£ 8,700
MA	Part Time	£ 2,600	£ 5,800

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It is now possible for some students to study part-time under the Tier 4 visa route. This is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category. Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but are not limited to):

Parking and travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Printing and binding
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

We care about our students and our aim is to ensure that you achieve the best degree classification. We have a personal mentoring system where you will be allocated an academic mentor. We also have an “open door” policy where our academic teachers are available to talk to you at any time about any queries or academic concerns you may have.

How to Apply

Please apply through the University’s central application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.