Course summary
What is public policy? Who is it shaped by? Which institutions are involved? What impact does it have on an economic, social and cultural environment that is increasingly globalised? This programme engages with contemporary policy concerns and the increasing complexity of the policy environment. It explores the contested dynamics of policymaking and policy implementation and provides students with the skills to understand, critically evaluate and develop policy alternatives in a local, national and international context. The programme seeks to prepare the next generation of policymakers to address a range of policy issues and understand the role and impact of different stakeholders, including business and the voluntary sector as well as international and regional organisations. It is intended for those who aspire to pursue professional career options, including policy planning, policy consultancy and policy officer positions for local and national government, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations. As well as considering general policy concerns, the programme gives you an opportunity to choose from a range of substantive policy issues, which might include the international analysis of poverty and social exclusion; public management and organisations; migration, asylum and human rights; the economics of public policy; or corruption and public policy. Every unit considers policy in an international and comparative context. Students on this programme will benefit from being taught by academics who are leaders in their areas of research. The University of Bristol has been ranked 14th in the world for Social Policy and Administration according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. To find out more, take a look at these videos exploring scholarships, international studies and the student perspective: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7PgmFn2M_V-7hwkPdeIFYaxRxiUuQTQq
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/msc-public-policy.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Social Science discipline such as: * Accounting and Finance * Business Administration * Communication * Criminology * Demography/Population Studies * Development studies * Economics * Education * Environmental sciences * Gender studies * Geography * Health sciences * History * Journalism * Law * Management * Media Studies * Philosophy * Political Science * Public Administration * Social Administration * Social Policy * Social Welfare * Social work * Sociology * Urban studies. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your degree is not listed above, if you have evidence of significant, relevant work experience (minimum 18 months paid or unpaid) in the following sectors/areas: mid- to high-level policy work for local or national government or third sector/voluntary/community-based organisation (Manager, Director, Policy Officer, Researcher, Analyst, Policy Maker, Political/Civil Office). We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: * evidence of significant, relevant work experience (minimum 18 months paid or unpaid) in the following sectors/areas: mid- to high-level policy work for local or national government or third sector/voluntary/community-based organisation (Manager, Director, Policy Officer, Researcher, Analyst, Policy Maker, Political/Civil Office); * a postgraduate qualification in any discipline. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £8850 | Year 1 |
| England | £8850 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £8850 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £8850 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £8850 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU