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  1. Home
  2. Postgraduate
  3. Postgraduate Taught Courses
  4. College of Arts and Humanities Postgrad Taught Courses
  5. MA Public Policy

Public Policy, MA

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Key Course Details

  • UK/EU
  • International
MA 1 Years Full Time
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date Multiple start dates
    • Typical Offer (view equivalents) 2.2
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 7,900
MA 3 Years Part Time
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date Multiple start dates
    • Typical Offer (view equivalents) 2.2
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 2,600
MA 1 Years Full Time
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date Multiple start dates
    • Typical Offer 2.2 - More Information
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 17,350
MA 3 Years Part Time
    • Mode of Study Campus Based
    • Start Date Multiple start dates
    • Typical Offer 2.2 - More Information
    • Location Singleton Park Campus
    • Tuition Fees Per Year £ 5,800

Course Overview

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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Programme Specification

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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M32Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Conceptual Issues In the Theory and Practice of Social Sciences
PO-M67Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20The Policy Making Process
PO-M87Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Comparative Governance in Complex Systems
PO-M93Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Analysing 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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M40Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Southeast Asian Security
PO-M46Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Politics in Contemporary Britain
PO-M63Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Rights-based Approaches to Development
PO-M64Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Violence, Conflict and Development
PO-M75Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Introduction to Development Studies
PO-M79Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Gender, Society and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
PO-M85Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Democracy and Constitutional Design
PO-M89Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Devolution in Comparative Perspective

Year 2 (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 Dissertation module below

Module CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M25Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)60Dissertation

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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M32Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Conceptual Issues In the Theory and Practice of Social Sciences
PO-M67Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20The Policy Making Process
PO-M87Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Comparative Governance in Complex Systems
PO-M93Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Analysing 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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M40Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Southeast Asian Security
PO-M46Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Politics in Contemporary Britain
PO-M63Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Rights-based Approaches to Development
PO-M64Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Violence, Conflict and Development
PO-M75Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Introduction to Development Studies
PO-M79Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Gender, Society and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
PO-M85Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Democracy and Constitutional Design
PO-M89Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Devolution 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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M32Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Conceptual Issues In the Theory and Practice of Social Sciences
PO-M67Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20The Policy Making Process
PO-M87Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Comparative Governance in Complex Systems
PO-M93Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Analysing 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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M40Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Southeast Asian Security
PO-M46Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Politics in Contemporary Britain
PO-M63Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Rights-based Approaches to Development
PO-M64Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Violence, Conflict and Development
PO-M75Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Introduction to Development Studies
PO-M79Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Gender, Society and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
PO-M85Semester 1 (Sep-Jan Taught)20Democracy and Constitutional Design
PO-M89Semester 2 (Jan-Jun Taught)20Devolution 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 CodeSemesterCreditsModule NameGuidance
PO-M25Semester 1 and Semester 2 (Sep-Jun Taught)60Dissertation

Entry Requirements

The typical entry requirement is a first degree in a relevant discipline, 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).

Meet Your Lecturers

  • Dr Emel Akcali
  • Sonja Amadae
  • Dr Davis Anderson
  • Professor Roland Axtmann
  • Dr David Bewley-Taylor
  • Robert Bideleux
  • Professor Jonathan Bradbury
  • Dr Themis Chronopoulos
  • Dr Gerard Clarke
  • Professor Alan Collins
  • Dr Dion Curry
  • Martin Horton Edison
  • Dr Ekaterina Kolpinskaya
  • McQueen, Paddy
  • Dr Stephen McVeigh
  • Dr Eugene Miakinkov
  • Dr Cahir O'doherty
  • Dr Gerry Oram
  • Dr Krijn Peters
  • Dr Bettina Petersohn
  • Professor Michael Sheehan
  • Dr Luca Trenta
  • James Wakefield
  • Dr Matthew Wall
  • Dr Bryn Willcock

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 £ 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.

Additional Information

  • Multiple start dates - 1st October, 1st January, 1st April & 1st July

Pre-sessional courses Develop your academic skills, understanding of subject-specific English terminology, and academic English language

  • Scholarships and bursaries
  • An introduction to postgraduate study
  • Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • College of Arts and Humanities Postgrad Taught Courses
      • MA Ancient Egyptian Culture
      • MA Ancient History and Classical Culture
      • MA Ancient Narrative Literature
      • MA Chinese-English Translation and Language Teaching
      • MA Classics
      • MA Communication, Media Practice and PR
      • MA Creative Writing
      • MA Development and Human Rights
      • MA Digital Media
      • MA Early Modern History
      • MA Education
      • MA English Literature
      • MA Erasmus Mundus Journalism, Media and Globalisation
      • MA History
      • MA International Journalism
      • MA International Relations
      • MA International Security and Development
      • MA Medieval Studies
      • MA Modern History
      • MA Politics
      • MA Professional Translation (Extended)
      • MA Professional Translation
      • MA Public History and Heritage
      • MA Public Policy
      • MA Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages
      • MA Translation and Interpreting (Extended)
      • MA Translation and Interpreting
      • MA War and Society
      • MA Welsh Writing In English
      • Postgraduate Certificate in Translation Technology
      • MA Public Policy (Extended)
      • MA International Relations (Extended)
      • MA International Security and Development (Extended)
      • MA Creative Writing (Extended)
      • MA Public History and Heritage (Extended)
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: Biology
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: Chemistry
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: Computer Science
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: Design and Technology
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: Mathematics
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: Physics
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: MFL- French, Spanish
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: English
      • PGCE Secondary with QTS: Welsh
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    • Postgraduate Taught Courses coming soon!
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