International Public Policy

Overview

The MSc in International Public Policy at Queen’s offers a high-quality programme of academic and personal professional development, providing students with the tools to understand and influence the contemporary policy problems faced by governments globally.



Students undertaking the MSc programme will engage with a wide variety of theories, ideas and sources in the study of public policy both domestically and internationally and will be introduced to a variety of research methods. As they progress through the MSc programme, students can choose to examine public policy issues across a range of international policy domains including climate change, global ethics, security and terrorism, policing and crime, and EU governance, and write a supervised dissertation on a public policy theme of their choosing.



As well as hearing from guest speakers, there will also be a study visit to the EU institutions, NGOs and think tanks in Brussels, and the OECD in Paris to better understand the interplay of public policy between national and international levels.



The programme uniquely offers opportunities for personal as well as academic advancement opportunities, and participants on the MSc can avail of the opportunity to undertake the Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Work placements with the Northern Ireland Civil Service may be offered to a limited number of students.

Year 1

Core Modules

• International Public Policy (20 credits)

• Approaches to research design (20 credits)

• Global Political Economy (20 credits)

• Dissertation (60 credits)



Optional Modules

• Institutions and Politics of the European Union (20 credits)

• Democratic Innovations (20 credits)

• Social Injustice (20 credits)

• The Politics of the Republic of Ireland (20 credits)

• The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions (20 credits)

• Global Development (20 credits)

• Policing and Crime Prevention (20 credits)

• The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland (20 credits)

• Freedom and modernity (20 credits)

• Gender and Politics (20 credits)

• The UK and Europe (20 credits)

• Conflict Intervention (20 credits)

• Theories in Comparative Politics (20 credits)

• Youth and Social Justice (20 credits)

• Contemporary Security (20 credits)

• Global Terrorism (20 credits)



Course Structure

To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding in International Public Policy, students will take three Core Modules: international Public Policy, and Approaches and Debates on Research Design in Semester 1, and Global Political Economy in Semester 2. Students on the programme choose three further Optional Modules: one in Semester 1 and 2 in Semester 2. A dissertation of no more than 15,000 is completed over the summer semester, which comes after the field visit to Brussels and Paris in early June.



The 2 CMI programme Modules undertaken by students takes place between semesters, mainly in January and April/May.

Graduate

Normally a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject, or a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.



How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Assessment


Assessment and Feedback are continuous throughout the course of study.


Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:


Written assignments

Presentations

Group work

Blogs

1 year (Full-time)

2 years (Part-time)



Teaching Times

Teaching take place at a variety of times from 9-8pm Monday – Friday.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

The MSc in International Public Policy will be particularly useful for students wishing to work in public affairs, consultancy, NGOs, public relations, journalism or the public service at national or international levels.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/



Career Development

Students on the MSc programme will be able to participate in career development training.