Metadata
Title
Public Policy MSc
Category
graduate
UUID
123f55b051054cb9864ef74f4917ea39
Source URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/5525f/
Parent URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/
Crawl Time
2026-03-24T00:07:55+00:00
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Public Policy MSc

Source: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/5525f/ Parent: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/

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Overview

Studying for a masters in Public Policy at Newcastle University will help you gain the analytical and practical skills to succeed in the world of policymaking, whether in government, for international organisations, the third sector and beyond. You’ll work with world-leading academics and policymakers at the cutting edge of public policy research. Helping you gain the expertise to shape real-world solutions to complex public problems and address questions, such as:

Studying our Public Policy MSc will position you at the forefront of emerging trends and innovations. You'll gain a critical understanding of what is required to develop practical solutions that drive meaningful change. It will give you the knowledge and skills to tackle complex public policy challenges helping you:

You’ll benefit from learning alongside world-leading academic staff in a dynamic research-led environment. Strong connections with policymakers within the UK and internationally mean we can bring real-world, contemporary case studies into the classroom and enable you to engage directly with policymakers.

This MSc blends theory and practice, giving you the skills to analyse, design, and assess public policies at local and global levels. You’ll master navigating the complex geopolitical, social, economic, and ethical factors that shape policy decisions. You’ll also gain the expertise needed to address real-world policy challenges in a fast-evolving global landscape.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

\

What you'll learn

The Public Policy MSc will help you gain a thorough understanding of how policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated across diverse settings from the local to the global. You will delve into key themes such as:

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

The module information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Public Policy MSc modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Thinking About Politics 20
Principles of Data Science for Political Research 20
The Moral Limits of the Market: Theoretical Foundations 10
The Moral Limits of the Market: Public Policy Projects 10
Public Policy in Practice: from the Local to the Global 20
Dissertation 60
Optional Modules Credits
Geographical Inequalities and Policy 20
Public International Law 20
Social Media Regulation: Law, Policy and Society 20
European Union: Policy and Politics 20
American Foreign Policy 20
The United Nations: Policy, Politics and Power 20
Problem Solving for Defence (H4MoD) 20
Power and Policy: Understanding Impact 20
Global Security: Politics, Space and Society (P) 20
Global Sex Global Race 20
Inequalities: Issues and Intersections 20
Perpetual Wars? Crime, Policing and (in)Security 20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The Public Policy MSc is research-led and delivered through interactive and engaging seminars and workshops. You are at the centre of these sessions and our team of expert academic staff will encourage you to deepen your understanding of key concepts through:

You will also be taught using a range of methods, including:

Your preparation, questions, and unique insights will be the driving force behind your learning experience. You will play an active role in shaping discussions and exploring ideas to ensure your journey is both personal and impactful.

This programme is well suited for anyone seeking to gain an advanced understanding of public policy, regardless of whether you have a background in the field or are exploring it for the first time.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

Our staff

Dr Brian Boyle - Policy, political communication, media quantitative and computational methods

Professor Alistair Clark - Public policy, electoral administration, local government, mixed methods

Dr Marina Duque - Public policy, emerging powers, Brazil, quantitative methods

Professor Stephen Elstub - Public policy-making, deliberation, democratic innovation, qualitative methods

Dr Johannes Kneiss - Public health, theories of justice, political theory

Dr Maarja Lühiste - Political institutions, leadership, gender, quantitative and computational methods

Professor Ruth McAreavey - Governance, migration and research ethics

Professor Katharine Rietig - International public policy, UN, climate change, qualitative methods

Dr Andrew Walton - Theory and ethics of public policy, social justice

Dr Katharine A. M. Wright - International public policy, NATO, women, peace and security agenda, qualitative methods

Professor Anthony Zito - Public policy, European Union, climate change

Your development

You will develop a range of professional, research and practical skills that are highly valued in today’s policy landscape.

Professional skills

This course will enable you to master the art of communicating effectively with diverse audiences. It will give you the skills to present well-reasoned, informed arguments both in writing and through presentations. Hands-on projects and seminar tasks, will allow you to sharpen your teamwork and collaboration skills, preparing you to succeed in the workplace.

Practical skills

You'll engage in hands-on exercises that mirror real-world policy analysis. It will give you the critical and data skills to assess, evaluate, and recommend effective public policies. You will develop practical expertise in writing policy evaluations and briefings, using real data to create evidence-based recommendations.

Research skills

By completing self-designed research papers and an MSc dissertation, you will develop the skills to synthesise information from diverse primary and secondary sources, enhancing your ability to conduct and communicate independent research.

Your future

Further study

This course equips you with the essential skills to pursue a research degree in Public Policy or related fields, providing a solid foundation for those looking to deepen their academic expertise and contribute to cutting-edge research.

Careers and graduate destinations

After completing this course you’ll graduate with an enhanced knowledge of the public policy process. You’ll have developed transferable skills in research and analysis that will help you to succeed in a range of organisations in the public, private or third sector.

Our Public Policy MSc will prepare you for a career in any field where advanced policy expertise is essential.

Some of these roles may include:

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.\ \ You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.\ \ We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.

Facilities

You will be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's Henry Daysh Building, where you will benefit from a dedicated social/study space nestled between seminar rooms and your professors’ offices.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Qualification: MSc Full time
Home students Full time: 12 months Tuition fees (per year) £11,400
International students Full time: 12 months Tuition fees (per year) £26,500
Qualification: MSc Part time
Home students Part time: 24 months Tuition fees (per year) £5,700

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

Find out more about:

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Academic entry requirements

A 2:2 honours degree, or international equivalent. Degrees from all disciplines will be considered.

We will also consider your application on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and relevant professional experience.

Qualifications from outside the UK

Select your country AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCaribbeanCayman IslandsChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong KongHungaryIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaltaMauritiusMexicoMongoliaMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRepublic of IrelandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailandTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUSAUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamZambiaZimbabwe

English Language requirements

Select your qualification IELTSPearsonsDuolingo English TestTOEFLOtherPre-Sessional Entry - 6 weeksPre-Sessional Entry - 10 weeks

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

Pre-Master’s and English Language courses

Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study.

Explore these courses

How to apply

Before you start

Start Dates

The course starts in September.

Closing Dates

There is no application closing date for this course, but we recommend that you apply by the start of September.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit

All International students

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must pay a deposit or submit an official letter of sponsorship. The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. This deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register. You may also be subject to academic and English language qualification verification, confirmation of funds and credibility interviews.

International students who received an offer before 18 March 2026

International students Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who received an offer after 18 March 2026

All International students (excluding those from the markets above) who received an offer after 18 March 2026

Programme codes

Qualification: MSc Full time
Full time: 12 months Programme Code: 5525F
Qualification: MSc Part time
Part time: 24 months Programme Code: 5525P

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

\ Apply Online

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

[School of Geography Politics and Sociology](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/)Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 3921 Email: Politicsadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk

General enquiries

For more general enquiries, you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

Application enquiries

If you've got a question about your application, send us an enquiry via the application portal you applied through.

If you haven't applied yet, you can send your questions via our enquiry form.

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