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MSc|Postgraduate Taught

International Public Policy

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.2 (minimum 55%)
Duration
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
Places available
30 (Full Time)
30 (Part Time)

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, AI and technology, 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, embassies 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.

International Public Policy highlights

Global Opportunities

The MSc in International Public Policy will involve a study visit to the EU institutions, NGOs, embassies and think tanks in Brussels and the OECD in Paris 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 Rankings 2020).

Student Experience

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

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).

Industry Links

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

Career Development

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

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 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).

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

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding in International Public Policy, students will take three Core Modules: international Public Policy, and Approaches and Debates on Research Design in Semester 1, and Global Political Economy in Semester 2. Students on the programme choose three further Optional Modules: one in Semester 1 and 2 in Semester 2. A dissertation of no more than 15,000 is completed over the summer semester, which comes after the field visit to Brussels and Paris in early June.

The 2 CMI programme Modules undertaken by students takes place between semesters, mainly in January and April/May.

People teaching you

Lecturer in International Political Economy

HAPP
Dr Jack Taggart is a critical political economist. His work examines both the shifting politics of international development and the contested nature of contemporary global governance. Email: j.taggart@qub.ac.uk

Programme Convenor

HAPP
Professor 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. Email: m.macCarthaigh@qub.ac.uk

Teaching Times

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

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Cognitive 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 Dissertation will provide the opportunity to combine several skills into a single piece of original scholarship.

  • Knowledge and Understanding

    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 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.

  • Specific Skills

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

    The program will furthermore provide a firm grounding in the study 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.

  • 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.

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
  • Feedback associated with this course is outlined below:
    • Written feedback will be provided on assignments
    • Verbal feedback will be provided in class.
    • There will be ongoing online feedback associated with the course.

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). 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

    Dissertation (60 credits)

    Optional Modules

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

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree (with minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject; or a 2.2 Honours degree (with minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience..

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 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. 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.

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Careers

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/

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

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £8,800
EU Other 3 £23,100
International £23,100

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 tuition fee for the MSc in International Public Policy includes the cost of undertaking the CMI-accredited Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership, as well as travel and accommodation costs for the study visit to Brussels and Paris.

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. 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.

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Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

When to Apply

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.

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.

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