Course summary

Why Lancaster? • Learn through real-life case studies, work online with policy practitioners, and confront problems surrounding public policymaking • Look at the world of policy through a critical lens and apply your skills to complete a tailored portfolio project where you’ll create policy recommendations • Choose online learning and organise your study to fit your commitments and interests • Have access to experts who work with UK parliament, make regular media appearances and want to shape the future of policymaking • Be part of a community that cares about ethical policymaking, focusing on an applied approach that drives change How is public policy made? What challenges do policymakers face? And how do we construct policy solutions to policy problems? Study with us to explore these vital questions and confront the puzzles of public policymaking. Fresh ideas to meet big challenges Conflict, climate change, cost of living. Global crises cannot be solved by one individual. To make a change, we need to take collective action – and without policy that wouldn’t be possible. The world needs good policymakers with new ideas and a fresh approach to tackle the stalemate that policy has reached. If you want to work in the world of international, national or local policy, you need to know how it’s made. This distance learning programme unpacks policymaking and gives you the skills to research, evaluate and create policy. Learn from policy experts You'll hear from our leading academics on different domains, from local government to national defence. Our aim is to present perspectives from policy practitioners in different roles. You might recognise some of our teaching team from their media appearances, perhaps talking about maritime security or the Middle East. You might have picked up their books in a shop – one academic has recently published on Labour's immigration policy. Have confidence that our well-established distance learning programmes have been running for over a decade. Online learning that suits your life Our Public Policy MSc by distance learning offers you the opportunity to fit your studies around other commitments. You will learn though a variety of mediums such as: • video lectures • an online message board that will mirror seminar discussions • podcasts • recorded presentations • one-to-one online tutorials Your academic tutor will provide personalised support throughout the programme. Tailor your study to your Public Policy interests In addition to core modules in Public Policy and Research Methods, you will have a choice of optional modules. Finally, you will complete a portfolio where you will explore a topic of your choice, use policy evaluation tools and create policy recommendations. You may choose a topic of particular personal interest or that will inform your current professional role. Whether you’re interested in environmental, immigration, defence, foreign, or EU public policy, or the broader politics of policymaking, we’ll help you hone your specialism and sharpen the skills employers are looking for. Join our live events Throughout the programme you will have the opportunity to participate in live events connected to Public Policy. These are completely optional and are offered as both online or in person events. They may include a conference and skills training, as well as networking and career events.