Public Policy (Extended), MA

Develop a Deep Understanding of the Political Climate

Key Course Details

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): 2.2
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 6,150

MA 4 Year Part Time

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): 2.2
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 3,100

MA 2 Year Full Time

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: 2.2 - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 13,500

MA 4 Year Part Time

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: 2.2 - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 6,750

Course Overview

The Extended MA (EMA) 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.

The partner institution for EMA Public Policy is The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Founded in 1997, the Bush School is ranked in the top 12 percent of the 266 graduate public affairs schools in the USA, according to rankings published in U.S. News & World Report. Located in College Station, Texas, the School’s programmes are housed in the Robert H. and Judy Ley Allen Building, which is part of the George Bush Presidential Library Center on the West Campus of Texas A&M. This location affords students access to the archival holdings of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, invitation to numerous events hosted by the George Bush Foundation at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, and inclusion in the many activities of the Texas A&M community. Texas A&M is the second-largest university in the USA with 66,000 enrolled students in 2016. It holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only 61 institutions with this distinction.

Why Public Policy (Extended) 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 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 (Extended) 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 (Extended) 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 have careers in government and politics, local government, business, media and PR.

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 2 Year Full-time

Year 1 (Level 7T)

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 Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Methodology in the Social Sciences	September-January	20	PO-M32
The Policy Making Process	September-January	20	PO-M67
Comparative Governance in Complex Systems	September-January	20	PO-M87
Analysing Politics and International Relations	January-June	20	PO-M93

AND

Optional Modules - Semester 1

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module from below.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Society-Environment Relations	September-January	20	GEGM28
Crisis and Global Change	September-January	20	GEGM29
Approaches to International Relations	September-January	20	PO-M35
Violence, Conflict and Development	September-January	20	PO-M64
The Global Governance of Drugs: Power, (Geo)Politics and Narco-Diplomacy	September-January	20	PO-M69
Development in Practice	September-January	20	PO-M96
Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage: War and Spycraft in the Modern World	September-January	20	PO-M98
War, Identity and Society	September-January	20	WS-M95

AND

Optional Modules - Semester 2

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module from below. NOTE: To Select PO-M97, you MUST have selected and completed PO-M96 in TB1.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Human rights, Humanitarian Intervention and Global Justice: Moral Problems International Politics.	January-June	20	PO-M37
Southeast Asian Security	January-June	20	PO-M40
Critical Security Studies: Issues and Approaches in Contemporary Security	January-June	20	PO-M60
Rights-based Approaches to Development	January-June	20	PO-M63
Democracy and Constitutional Design	January-June	20	PO-M85
Devolution in Comparative Perspective	January-June	20	PO-M89
Development in Practice II: Liberia fieldtrip	January-June	20	PO-M97
War, Technology and Society	January-June	20	WS-M94

Year 2 (Level 7D)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory Module Abroad

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M (Semester of Study Abroad)	June-September	60	PO-PX10

AND

Part- Two Dissertation

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

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

MA 4 Year Part-time

Year 1 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You must take all four of the modules listed below over the course of the MA. Select two this year, one from TB1, one from TB2 . The remaining two modules will be taken at year 2

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Methodology in the Social Sciences	September-January	20	PO-M32
The Policy Making Process	September-January	20	PO-M67
Comparative Governance in Complex Systems	September-January	20	PO-M87
Analysing Politics and International Relations	January-June	20	PO-M93

AND

Optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module from below. Please do not exceed 40 credits in one Teaching Block

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Society-Environment Relations	September-January	20	GEGM28
Crisis and Global Change	September-January	20	GEGM29
Approaches to International Relations	September-January	20	PO-M35
Violence, Conflict and Development	September-January	20	PO-M64
The Global Governance of Drugs: Power, (Geo)Politics and Narco-Diplomacy	September-January	20	PO-M69
Development in Practice	September-January	20	PO-M96
Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage: War and Spycraft in the Modern World	September-January	20	PO-M98
War, Identity and Society	September-January	20	WS-M95
Human rights, Humanitarian Intervention and Global Justice: Moral Problems International Politics.	January-June	20	PO-M37
Southeast Asian Security	January-June	20	PO-M40
Critical Security Studies: Issues and Approaches in Contemporary Security	January-June	20	PO-M60
Rights-based Approaches to Development	January-June	20	PO-M63
Democracy and Constitutional Design	January-June	20	PO-M85
Devolution in Comparative Perspective	January-June	20	PO-M89
War, Technology and Society	January-June	20	WS-M94

Year 2 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : You must take all four of the modules listed below over the course of the MA. Select two this year, (those not already taken at year).

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Methodology in the Social Sciences	September-January	20	PO-M32
The Policy Making Process	September-January	20	PO-M67
Comparative Governance in Complex Systems	September-January	20	PO-M87
Analysing Politics and International Relations	January-June	20	PO-M93

AND

Optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Select one module from below. Please do not exceed 40 credits in one Teaching Block. You are not able to select a module which you have already taken previously. You cannot select PO-M97 without completing PO-M96 in TB1.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Society-Environment Relations	September-January	20	GEGM28
Crisis and Global Change	September-January	20	GEGM29
Approaches to International Relations	September-January	20	PO-M35
Violence, Conflict and Development	September-January	20	PO-M64
The Global Governance of Drugs: Power, (Geo)Politics and Narco-Diplomacy	September-January	20	PO-M69
Development in Practice	September-January	20	PO-M96
Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage: War and Spycraft in the Modern World	September-January	20	PO-M98
War, Identity and Society	September-January	20	WS-M95
Human rights, Humanitarian Intervention and Global Justice: Moral Problems International Politics.	January-June	20	PO-M37
Southeast Asian Security	January-June	20	PO-M40
Critical Security Studies: Issues and Approaches in Contemporary Security	January-June	20	PO-M60
Rights-based Approaches to Development	January-June	20	PO-M63
Democracy and Constitutional Design	January-June	20	PO-M85
Devolution in Comparative Perspective	January-June	20	PO-M89
Development in Practice II: Liberia fieldtrip	January-June	20	PO-M97
War, Technology and Society	January-June	20	WS-M94

Year 3 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Compulsory Module Abroad

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M (Semester of Study Abroad)	June-September	60	PO-PX10

Year 4 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

None found.

Optional Modules

Part- Two Dissertation

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

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

Entry Requirements

The typical entry requirement is a 2:2 degree with a minimum of 55% overall (or overseas equivalent).

For applicants whose first language is not English, we require IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English test.

How You're Taught

The Department of Politics, Philosophy and International Relations offers a portfolio of five taught postgraduate programmes leading to a Master of Arts (MA) degree based on one year of study (on a full-time basis). Most include an extended variant which allows students to spend a semester abroad. Students can also enrol on a full time or part-time basis and study for a certificate (60 credits) or diploma (120 credits), rather than a degree (180 credits).

Most programmes are taught by the department’s staff, but some involve collaboration with other departments or schools, especially in the provision of optional modules. Our postgraduate students come both from the UK and Europe but also from Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific, bringing an international and North-South flavour to our offering and overseas students can apply for a series of scholarships based on study with us, including Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships.

Each MA programme includes compulsory modules as well as several optional modules recommended by the department (see details by programme below). Students can avail, however, of the large postgraduate module offering of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

To identify the constituent schools and departments of the faculty: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/humanities-and-socialsciences/

To check the modules offered by these schools and departments, see the university module catalogue, https://intranet.swan.ac.uk/catalogue/default.asp .

For further advice on the module options available by programme, please contact the department’s postgraduate lead, Dr Gerard Clarke (g.clarke@swansea.ac.uk ).

Welsh Provision

Some provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year. The Programme Director can outline to you what is available in Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Meet Your Lecturers

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to our students.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

Tuition Fees

MA 2 Year Full Time

Start Date	UK	International
September 2023	£ 5,900	£ 12,850
September 2024	£ 6,150	£ 13,500

MA 4 Year Part Time

Start Date	UK	International
September 2023	£ 2,950	£ 6,450
September 2024	£ 3,100	£ 6,750

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 may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, 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 (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). 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

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

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

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
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 tutor, 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.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

The Extended MA (EMA) is a 240-credit postgraduate qualification that is equivalent to 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) and is thus a recognised Masters qualification throughout the European Union. The EMA is a standard UK MA plus an additional 60 credits (30 ECTS) and this additional coursework is undertaken in one semester at a partner institution overseas. The EMA is therefore not only an EU recognised postgraduate qualification, it also adds a study abroad experience thus enhancing the qualification’s employability credentials.