Program Overview

Social and Public Policy MA

The Social and Public Policy MA is a 12-month full-time program that explores issues, concepts, and debates in social and public policy research. Students will gain an insight into policy-making and its social impacts, and develop core skills in critical policy analysis and policy evaluation.

Course Overview

On this course, students will investigate social theories, issues, and research methods relevant to social and public policy. They will also study and debate current policy issues, such as work and welfare, migration, child and family policy, or the challenges of ageing populations, with a focus on real-life examples.

Course Structure

The program consists of compulsory and optional modules. Compulsory modules include:

• Public Administration: Policy, Planning and Development in a Globalised World (30 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Research Strategy and Design (30 credits)
• Policy and Programme Evaluation (15 credits)
• Social Policy Debates (15 credits)

Optional modules may include:

• Environmental Assessment (15 credits)
• Racism, Decoloniality and Migration (30 credits)
• Contested Bodies (30 credits)
• Researching Inequality in the Media (30 credits)
• Quantitative Research Methods (15 credits)
• Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits)

Learning and Teaching

The program uses a range of teaching and learning methods, including presentations, seminars, workshops, online learning, tutorials, and lectures. Independent study is crucial to this degree, allowing students to prepare for taught sessions, develop their research interests, and build a range of skills.

Assessment

Core modules will be assessed using essays, while optional modules may use other forms of assessment, such as presentations, book and literature reviews, research proposals, and reports.

Entry Requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent in a social science or related subject is required. International students must meet the English language requirements, which include an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

Fees

The tuition fees for the program are:

• UK: Ł12,250 (total)
• International: Ł28,250 (total)

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Social and Public Policy MA will gain a wide range of knowledge and skills, including sophisticated skills in research, communication, and analysis. They will be prepared for a variety of careers in the third sector, public services, government, and business.

Related Courses

Related courses include:

• Social Research MA
• Society, Culture and Media MA
• Inequalities and Social Science MSc

Rankings and Awards

The University of Leeds is ranked top 20 in the UK for Sociology & Social Policy, and top 100 in the world for Social Policy and Administration.