How you'll study

Most of our modules are taught in small-group, two-hour seminars. This setup encourages classroom discussions and enables you to directly interact with our expert academics.

You will learn how to best present your arguments based on independent research and analysis in formal and informal oral presentations and in writing. 

As part of your degree you'll work on a dissertation. It's an opportunity for you to develop in-depth research expertise in a specific topic or issue, and to contribute new insights to the current scholarly debate. 

We give you the freedom to define the focus of your dissertation, and you will receive guidance on the feasibility of your proposed project from your director of studies. 

We regularly welcome guest speakers from the world of politics and international relations, who are the experts putting theory into practice every day.  

Examples of speakers we've hosted include Matthew Barzun, United States Ambassador to the UK, and Alastair Campbell, former political aide.

Students on the Master’s in Public Policy programme have told us that they value the use practical examples to illustrate theory in their modules and really benefit from having external speakers from the policy sphere talk about their experience of putting theory into practice.

Put your academic knowledge to practice and build your network with a work placement in an external organisation focused on international relations or international security.

You will also have opportunities to work on assignments that reflect how you'd work in a professional political setting. For example, you could be writing a policy brief, or taking part in a simulation of a real-world crisis situation. 

You can choose to undertake modules in research methods training.

These modules train you in qualitative and quantitative research methods, and are incredibly useful if you wish to eventually pursue a PhD or a career with a core focus on research.

We offer an exciting range of interactive modules, giving you the flexibility to choose to study the subjects you're most passionate about. You can study a range of topics, or specialise in one area.

Examples of our modules include:

• International Security: you will be provided with a critical introduction into the nature and objectives of security politics from different perspectives, before critically examining newly emerging concepts such as ‘human security’, ‘risk society’ and the way scholars and practitioners address new threats to security.
• War in Theory and Practice: you will study the relationship between political aims and organized violence, covering both classic works and current debates with an eye to the latest developments in contemporary warfare.
• Politics of Public Policy: you will analyse the nature of the processes through which policy decisions are made and implemented and gain a clear understanding of the making, application, and effects of public actions, with a consideration of how these vary across policy areas and policy-making venues. 

Our optional modules are reviewed on an annual basis and are subject to change.

Read more about our optional modules (PDF, 0.4 MB)

Work Placement

Gain invaluable first-hand experience and independent problem solving, working within a professional environment on our Work Placement module. You will put your academic knowledge to practice and build your network, working in an external organisation focused on international relations or international security. 

Capstone Project

On our MSc Public Policy course, which we run in partnership with the Department of Economics, you have the opportunity to undertake a Capstone project. This is a group research project with placement, where you'll apply academic knowledge to a real-world policy problem for an external organisation.

It's a great opportunity to work with other students to deliver a project, while enhancing your team-working, organisational and analytical skills.

Find out more about our Capstone projects

Applied Research Project and Placement

As an MSc Public Policy student, you can also choose to apply your academic knowledge in a practical way with an external organisation specifically related to the general sphere of public policy on our Applied Research Project and Placement module. Based on this work experience, you’ll complete a research report which will help develop your capacity for independent, critical research in a specialised domain. You will receive formal credit towards your degree for placement learning.