MSc Global Public Policy (Online)

Program Overview

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Key Information

Duration

2-years (Max. 3-years)

Start of Programme

April / October

Attendance Mode

Online learning (part-time)

Location

Online

Fees

MA/MSc: £12,000 PGDip/PGCert: available as exit awards

Entry Requirements

A minimum lower second class honours degree (or equivalent). We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds

Course Overview

The MSc in Global Public Policy provides you with a detailed and systematic understanding of a range of explanations for change and continuity in public policymaking in an interdisciplinary, global context.

Merging the study of public policy theory, global governance, global advocacy, international relations, political economy and diplomacy to interrogate policy processes beyond the nation state.

This MSc programme puts at its heart the policy challenges of cross-cutting transnational issues in gender, climate change, resource geopolitics, nuclear proliferation, security and terrorism, sport, trade and economic governance. Students will be trained to critically evaluate and develop solutions for policy issues of global resonance that lay at the intersection of public, private and non-profit sectors.

Structure

• 1x core modules
• 3x elective modules
• 4x research mini modules
• 1x dissertation

Modules

• Global Public Policy (Core)
• Afghanistan: Strategic and Geopolitical Perspectives (Elective)
• America and the World: US Foreign Policy (Elective)
• Digital Diplomacy (Elective)
• Economics, Politics and Society in Africa (Elective)
• Economics, Politics and Society in MENA (Elective)
• Economics, Politics and Society in South Asia (Elective)
• Finance Sustainabilty and Climate Change (Elective)
• Foundations of International Law (Elective)
• Gender, Conflict and the Middle East (Elective)
• Global Citizenship and Advocacy (Elective)
• Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy (Elective)
• Global Energy and Climate Policy (Elective)
• Global International Organisation: United Nations in the World (Elective)
• Global Media (Elective)
• India's Foreign and Security Policy (Elective)
• International Economics (Elective)
• International Security (Elective)
• Multinational Enterprises in a Globalising World (Elective)
• Muslim Minorities and the State: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives (Elective)
• Muslim Minorities in a Global Context (Elective)
• Pakistan: Religion, Politics and Security (Elective)
• Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development (Elective)
• Political History, Culture and Diplomacy in Iran (Elective)
• Sports and Diplomacy (Elective)
• Strategic Studies (Elective)
• Trade Diplomacy (Elective)

Teaching and Learning

This programme is delivered 100% online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

In the VLE you will have access to learning materials and course resources anytime so you can fit your studies around your existing commitments. For each module, students will be provided with access, through the SOAS Library, to all necessary materials from a range of appropriate sources.

A key component of the student experience will be peer to peer learning, with students enrolled in discussion forums.

Study Timetable

In addition to a dedicated Associate Tutor, a study timetable is provided for each module and for the overall programme to help you to organise your time.

The programme is broken down into two study sessions per year. Each subject module lasts 16 weeks, followed by a research mini module lasting 8 weeks.

Sample Study Timetable

• Substantive module: 16 weeks
• Reading weeks: 2 weeks
• Research mini module: 8 weeks
• Reading weeks: 2 weeks

Assessment

Each module is assessed by five written online assessments (‘e-tivities’) comprising of 30%, the remaining 70% is formed of a 5,000 word essay. The e-tivities provide formative and summative feedback to students as a means of monitoring their progress and encouraging areas in which they can improve.

Research Training and Dissertation

Research training is a key feature of this programme, the dissertation module is presented in four development parts, which will follow each of your module sessions. Research modules one and three are formative modules only, and are not assessed.

The dissertation is assessed by the submission of a written dissertation of no more than 15,000 words, excluding the bibliography and appendices, which will account for 85% of the mark awarded for the module (research module four). The remaining 15% of the module mark will be based on the mark obtained for a 1,500 word research proposal (research module two).

Fees and Funding

MA/MSc: £12,000 PGDip/PGCert: available as exit awards

Pay as You Learn

Our online learning programmes can be paid in full at the time of enrolment or on a pay as you learn basis. Pay as you learn means you pay for modules prior to enrolment.

Postgraduate Loans

If you have been a resident in England for 3 years you may be eligible. For more information, see please fees and finance.

Employment

Students from SOAS’s Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) develop an in-depth understanding of international affairs, contemporary diplomatic practice and policy-makers. Graduates leave with a portfolio of transferable skills such as critical analysis, problem solving, negotiation and communication, all of which are valued by employers across a number of sectors.

Recent CISD graduates have been hired by:

• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• Ernst & Young
• European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
• Government of India
• International Rescue Committee
• Medical Aid for Palestinians
• NHS
• The Commonwealth
• UK National Commission for UNESCO
• UNHCR
• United Nations
• World Food Programme

Key Staff

Dr Harald Heubaum

Dr Harald Heubaum is Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Global Energy and Climate Policy at the SOAS Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD).

Dr Yanan Song

Dr Yanan Song is a Lecturer in Global politics at SOAS University of London.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The SOAS MSc Global Public Policy (online) program provides an in-depth and systematic understanding of public policymaking in an interdisciplinary, global context. It merges the study of:

• Public policy theory
• Global governance
• Global advocacy
• International relations
• Political economy
• Diplomacy
The program focuses on policy challenges related to:
• Cross-cutting transnational issues
• Gender
• Climate change
• Resource geopolitics
• Nuclear proliferation
• Security and terrorism
• Sport
• Trade and economic governance
Students learn to critically evaluate and develop solutions for policy issues with global resonance, considering the intersection of public, private, and non-profit sectors.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge of public policy analysis and management in a global context.
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate complex policy issues.
• Foster research skills and the ability to design and implement effective policy solutions.
• Enhance communication and advocacy skills to effectively present policy arguments and recommendations.

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Program Description:

This program delves into the complexities of public policy beyond the nation-state level, examining the impact of relations of power, including North-South dynamics, and questioning conventional approaches to policy analysis and management.

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Outline:

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Structure:

• 2-year program (maximum 3 years)
• Online learning (part-time)
• 1 core module, 3 elective modules, 4 research mini-modules, and a dissertation
• Students choose electives from a list of available modules each session; modules subject to availability and list not exhaustive
• Research training integrated throughout the program

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Sample Modules:

• Afghanistan: Strategic and Geopolitical Perspectives
• Global Citizenship and Advocacy
• Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy
• Global Energy and Climate Policy
• International Economics
• Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development
• Trade Diplomacy

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Dissertation:

• 15,000-word dissertation (excluding bibliography and appendices)
• 85% of dissertation module mark
• 15% based on 1,500-word research proposal

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Study Timetable:

• Two study sessions per year
• Each subject module lasts 16 weeks
• Research mini-module lasts 8 weeks
• Study timetable provided for each module and overall program

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Assessment:

• Each module assessed by five online written assessments (e-tivities) comprising 30%
• Remaining 70% from a 5,000-word essay
• E-tivities provide formative and summative feedback
• Dissertation assessed by written submission (85%) and research proposal (15%)

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Teaching:

• 100% online delivery through Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• VLE provides access to learning materials, course resources, and discussion forums
• Study timetable assists with time management
• Dedicated Associate Tutor supports students
• Key focus on peer-to-peer learning

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Careers:

• Graduates develop an in-depth understanding of international affairs, contemporary diplomatic practice, and policy-making.
• Strong portfolio of transferable skills: critical analysis, problem-solving, negotiation, and communication
• Recent graduates employed by diverse organizations including:
• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• Ernst & Young
• European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
• Government of India
• International Rescue Committee
• Medical Aid for Palestinians
• NHS
• The Commonwealth
• UK National Commission for UNESCO
• UNHCR
• United Nations

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MA/MSc: £12,000 PGDip/PGCert: available as exit awards.