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Public Policy and Management at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

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2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This MSc Public Policy and Management allows you to explore how policy works, from origins to implementation. It is ideal if you are working close to government, wish to do so, or are interested in how policies make our politics. Why choose this course?

  • It is taught by academics engaged with contemporary policy theory, and connected to the policy world in Westminster and Whitehall.
  • Its vibrant teaching and seminars draw on topical and relevant themes, from AI, science and policy-making, to money in politics.
  • It offers you knowledge of the theory and practice of contemporary policy-making by blending theoretical insights with applied, real-world practice.
What you will learn This course will provide you with a deeper insight into the people and institutions that make policy happen. It aims to develop your analytical skills and applied reasoning, while honing your knowledge of contemporary theory. It will help you to build the skills you need to apply ideas to real-world cases and studies, and is ideal if you are working, or seeking a career, in public policy research and implementation. How you will learn You can study this course full- or part-time and it follows an evening timetable with classes in the evening. These consist of lectures and seminars. Lectures aim to blend up-to-date theory with applied examples and are recorded to allow you to watch them at your own convenience. Seminars give you the chance to engage in live discussions, debates and analyses of contemporary topics ranging from how lobbying shapes politics, to whether the UK government ‘followed the science’ during the Covid pandemic. This degree is part of our new Birkbeck Flexible Master's UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. Highlights
  • Birkbeck is a world-renowned centre of original, influential research in politics.
  • We organise a lively programme of seminars and conferences and are home to affiliated research centres, such as the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life, which links to this course and runs seminars, conferences and other events you can attend where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
  • Our academic staff are international authorities in their respective fields, publishing and delivering stimulating teaching in a wide range of political topics including civil society and the state, public policy, development, gender, international security and terrorism, and social and political theory.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this MSc Public Policy and Management, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • the ability to analyse data relating to policy and its impact
  • a deeper understanding of the links between evidence and policy, such as in the area of science and policy
  • how to analyse diverse sources to develop arguments and conclusions.
Graduates can pursue career paths in government, policy analysis and influence, think tanks, public affairs and advocacy, and journalism. Possible professions include:
  • charity officer
  • Civil Service administrator
  • policy researcher
  • journalist
  • public affairs consultant.
Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the House of Commons, Cabinet Office and Financial Times. We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

You submit formative and assessed essays, and take examinations in May/June.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a related area, or relevant experience combined with an adequate academic background (subject to interview). Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £5535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £5535 Year 1
Scotland £5535 Year 1
Wales £5535 Year 1
International £10170 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

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Public Policy and Management at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS