Public Policy

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 with and impact society and the economy?

Answering such questions effectively requires an interdisciplinary understanding of the field of public policy, drawing insights 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.

Why Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a globally renowned cultural city, and is home to the Scottish Parliament and official residence of the First Minister of Scotland.

Our teaching is grounded in the use of cutting-edge social and political science to further an understanding of pressing matters of societal concern and the challenges of policy making and governing within, and outwith, the UK.

The social policy subject area includes both early career and more experienced staff with a wide range of research interests and teaching experience in academic and professional settings across social and public policy. We're proud to host colleagues working in the Global Health Policy Unit, in the Centre for Science, Knowledge and Policy (SKAPE), and in the School's Research Training Centre.

We're part of a large school, which creates opportunities for us to work closely with colleagues in Politics, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Social Work, International Development and Science and Technology Studies. It also gives our students access to a wide range of additional specialist courses, and to engage with students on a variety of parallel programmes.