International Public Policy

Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma 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 Diploma 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 programme, students can choose to examine public policy issues across a range of international policy domains including: climate change, AI and technology global ethics, security and terrorism, policing and crime, and EU governance.



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 and hear about traineeship and other employment opportunities.



The programme uniquely offers opportunities for personal as well as academic advancement opportunities, and participants on the programme 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

Students benefit from intensive teaching by a wide and varied range of QUB academics with strong publishing profiles and international reputations in their areas of expertise and will be assessed through a range of examination methods.



Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (3 years) basis. Individual modules may be studied as a short course. Part-time students typically complete one or two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete three modules per semester.

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.



Core Modules

• Global Political Economy (20 credits)

• Approaches to Research Design (20 credits)

• International Public Policy (20 credits)



Optional Modules

• 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)

• Issues in Policing Crime Preve (20 credits)

• Democratic Challenges and Innovations (20 credits)

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

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

• Interest Groups, Lobbying and Advocacy (20 credits)

• Comparative Territorial Politics (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)

• Global Terrorism (20 credits)

• Global Development (20 credits)

• Youth and Social Justice (20 credits)

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

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

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum 57%) or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University or a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum 57%) or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.



Applicants who do not meet these entry requirements may, at the discretion of the relevant programme convenor, be considered for admission on the basis of relevant work experience and/or an assessed piece of work.



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.

9 months (Full-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. Recent graduates have secured work in international NGOs (Peace Corps, Joseph Rowntree Trust); international consultancy firms (PwC, H/Advisors Cicero); public affairs companies (Gryphon, Minerva), the media (Financial Times) and the public service (Home Office, Central Bank of Ireland).

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