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.



Course Structure

• To acquire the MSc degree, students will typically complete three modules per semester (or three per year for part-time students).



• To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding in International Public Policy, students must take three Core Modules: International Public Policy, and Approaches and Debates on Research Design (Semester 1), and Global Political Economy (Semester 2).



• Students also need to complete three elective courses throughout the year:

a. 1 Elective course in Semester 1

b. 2 Elective courses in Semester 2.



Professional Accreditations

Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership



Participants on the MSc programme will avail of the opportunity to undertake the Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

• Global Political Economy (20 credits)

• Approaches To Research Design (20 credits)

• International Public Policy (20 credits)

• Dissertation (60 credits)



Optional Modules

• Democratic Challenges and Innovations (20 credits)

• Diplomacy and Influence in International Affairs (20 credits)

• Feminism(s), Gender and Global Politics (20 credits)

• Policy analysis and evaluation: From theory to practice (20 credits)

• Interest Groups, Lobbying and Advocacy (20 credits)

• Comparative Territorial Politics (20 credits)

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

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

• Climate,Justice & Human Rights (20 credits)

• Social Injustice (20 credits)

• Contemporary Security (20 credits)

• Conflict Intervention (20 credits)

• The UK and Europe (20 credits)

• Freedom and modernity (20 credits)

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

• Global Development (20 credits)

• Youth and Social Justice (20 credits)

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

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.



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 15th August 2025 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 prior to the deadline stated on course finder.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

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: 2025/26

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/