Public Policy

The University of Edinburgh
Postgraduate MSc Full-time 1 Year Sociology

About this course

The MSc Public Policy covers both the theories and approaches to understanding and engaging with policy work, as well as applying these theories and approaches to policy making in a practice-oriented way through case study learning.

What are the factors that shape the policy decisions taken by governments at supranational, national and local levels? How do these decisions interact and impact on society and on the economy?

Answering such questions effectively requires an interdisciplinary understanding of the field of public policy, drawing insights especially from politics, social policy, sociology and economics.

With a particular focus on the social and economic policy fields that are at the heart of modern welfare states, the MSc Public Policy offers an advanced understanding of the political, social and economic context of policy-making and government activity in modern societies.

This programme, based in the School of Social and Political Science, draws on the School's multi-disciplinary expertise across different fields of public policy, with a focus that ranges from the local to the global.

Study Options

This course is available in 2 study options:

Part-time

Duration: 2 Years

Qualification: MSc

Location: Edinburgh

Full-time Shown above

Duration: 1 Year

Qualification: MSc

Location: Edinburgh

Career Prospects

Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

1172 Social services managers and directors
2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
3319 Protective service associate professionals
2434 Business and related research professionals
4113 Officers of non-governmental organisations
3312 Police officers (sergeant and below)

Course Details

Qualification
MSc
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
1 Year
Start Date
2025
Academic Year
2025
Campus / Location
Edinburgh
Scheme
Postgraduate
Subjects
Sociology