Skip to Content
PgDip|Postgraduate Taught

International Public Policy

Entry year
2025/26
Entry requirements
2.2 (minimum 53%)
Duration
9 months (Full-time)
Places available
30 (Full Time)

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 elsewhere in Europe. 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.

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

International Public Policy highlights

Global Opportunities

The PGDip in International Public Policy will involve a study visit to the EU institutions, NGOs, embassies and think tanks in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe to better understand the interplay of public policy between national and international levels.

Queen’s is ranked 22nd in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020).

Professional Accreditations

Students undertaking the PGDip programme are also invited to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership.

Student Experience

Politics was ranked joint 1st in the UK for Research Intensity (Complete University Guide 2021).

Industry Links

During the CMI programme, students will hear from leading industry and NGO figures.

Career Development

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

Student Experience

During the year, there will be a number of guest lecture events and social occasions.

Queen’s was ranked joint 1st in the UK for Research Intensity (Complete University Guide 2021).

Queen’s is ranked in the top 170 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).

Internationally Renowned Experts

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 will hear from senior practitioners from the national and international organisations during their time on the programme.

Student Experience

Queen’s ranked 18 in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023).

Queen's is ranked 10th for graduate prospects in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

1. 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.

To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding in International Public Policy, students will take three core modules:

• HAP7001 - Approaches and Debates on Research Design (Semester 1)
• PAI7070 – International Public Policy (Semester 1)
• PAI7030 - Global Political Economy (Semester 2)

Elective course include but not limited to the following (course section is updated regularly):

• PAI7027 Conflict Intervention
• PAI7100 Democratic Innovations
• PAI7103 Global Development
• PAI7106 Policy Analysis and Evaluation
• PAI7104 Interest Groups, Lobbying and Advocacy
• PAI7051 Contemporary Security
• PHL7057 Social Injustice
• PHL7056 Global Ethics

IPP PgDip students are awarded qualifications and obtain a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.

Students with excellent performance across the courses may be offered an opportunity to complete the dissertation (15,000 - 20,000 word research dissertation; 60 CATS points) and obtain MSc degree

People teaching you

Lecturer in Public Policy

HAPP
Dr Anastasia Ershova’s research is focused on bureaucratic and legislative politics in the EU context. Specifically she is interested in issues of bureaucratic discretion, policy effectiveness and policy responsiveness to public opinion. Email: a.ershova@qub.ac.uk

Programme Convenor

HAPP
Dr Muiris MacCarthaigh's current research interests relate to the politics and practice of state retrenchment and administrative reform, issues with which he is involved in a number of international research networks, and with a particular focus on the Irish case.

Teaching Times

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

Learning and Teaching

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.

The objectives of the programme are to:
i. Provide advanced study of contemporary public policy theory and practice at national and international levels through a range of specialised modules.
ii. Develop students’ research and evaluative skills for understanding general and sectorally-specific public policy matters.
iii. Develop students’ ability to analyse and understand global public policy problems in new ways by developing skills to think critically, rationally and rigorously through a range of diverse and innovative teaching methods.
iv. Encourage students to creatively and systematically apply public policy models and theories to contemporary issues and specialist fields in a local, national and/or international context.
v. Enhance students’ transferable and intellectual skills, employability skills, as well as their continuing personal and professional development so as to enable them to work with self-direction and originality.

Specific Skills

Upon completion of the programme you will be well versed with the methodologies and approaches to international public policy and be able to research independently using the expert language of the subject.

The programme will enhance existing understanding of comparative methods, theoretical models, political and economic decision-making across the globe and public policy trends.

The programme will furthermore provide a firm grounding in the study of the emerging structures of governance beyond the nation-state

It will introduce the learner not only to the specialist literature of the field, but to key debates in contemporary international public policy.

Assessment

Assessment and Feedback are continuous throughout the course of study.

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • • Group work
    • Seminar Presentations
    • Learning Journals and logs
    • Literature Reviews
    • Portfolios
    • Written essays
  • There will be ongoing online feedback associated with the course.
    • Written feedback will be provided on assignments.
    • Verbal feedback will be provided in class.

PREV
Overview

NEXT
Modules

Modules

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

    Optional Modules

    Social Injustice (20 credits)
    The UK and Europe (20 credits)
    Global Terrorism (20 credits)
    Global Development (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum 53%) or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University or a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum 53%) 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.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. 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.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

PREV
Modules

NEXT
Careers

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

The Postgraduate Diploma 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/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

The programme attracts a premium fee arising from the associated field trip and the Certificate in Management and Leadership.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

PREV
Careers

NEXT
Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus