Is it a good idea to study International Public Policy?

Have you ever wondered how to change the world? Or how to use governance in a way that changes peoples’ lives for the better? Or even how diplomacy works? The answer to these questions is international public policy. 

Policy making affects every facet of our lives — law, finance, security, human rights, and more — all of which affect our day-to-day lives. Current problems such as rapid urbanisation, climate change, resource scarcity, and even shifts in global economic powers are underlined through policy. Today, the power has shifted from just the government to other organisations and institutions as well, and international public policy informs how to tackle the changes society undergoes while keeping citizens at the forefront. 

International public policy is all about recognising current social issues and analysing and addressing them via public policies. When these issues reach a transnational stage, one brings in international public policy to find solutions keeping different cultures, attitudes, and behaviours in mind. 

International public policy can be applied to an array of organisations, not just the government. It is a highly valued area of knowledge, and those with this knowledge a highly rewarded, not just in terms of monetary compensation, but also in terms of goodwill. 

What will I learn if I decide to study international public policy? 

As part of an MSc in International Public Policy, you are likely to do modules like Contemporary World Politics: Theories, Concepts, Themes; Theories and Concepts in Public Policy; and Evaluation and Delivery in Public Policy; among others.  

You will also write a 12,000-word dissertation at the end of your course, as a culmination of all the insights and knowledge you have gained and apply it to a topic of your choice. You can choose to use this to identify and offer solutions for your current workplace or wherever you want to work upon graduation. 

These modules will help you: 

• evaluate political developments and critical themes in a global context 
• offer critical thinking skills related to understanding theoretical texts 
• understand the concepts of policy analysis and apply insights to practical case studies to learn about real-world implementation 
• learn about the different approaches to policy making worldwide 
• examine the effects of globalization, capitalism, US hegemony, neo-liberalism, and global inequality on policy making 

By the end of the programme, you will be well-versed in theory of public policy, such as identification, analysation, implementation, and evaluation of policies. You will also know a great deal about policy-making processes, international and national policy challenges, and get an understanding of the process of lobbying. 

Additionally, this knowledge and information can then be transferred to your career and enrich your real-life implementation of policies, as it is informed theoretically and through practical analysis.  

How can an MSc in international public policy accelerate my career? 

An MSc in International Public Policy equips one to work in public, private, and government organisations – wherever a deep understanding of policy making is required.  

Queen Mary University of London offers a well-structured part-time MSc in International Public Policy course that is conducted online. This flexible two-year course takes just 20 hours a week, meaning you can study and work concurrently. Forming a strong foundation for the rest of your career, this degree will provide you with knowledge that can be applied in almost any field. 

Graduates can choose from a range of roles, including (but not limited to): 

• policy officials or researchers 
• senators 
• elected officials 
• advisors  
• civil servants 
• lobbyists 
• academics / lecturers 
• consultants 
• legislative aides 
• managers and/or project leaders in multi-national companies 

Learn more about careers in the industry:

As a course that is informed by and directly affects the current world, you will find that you can critically assess public policy issues across the world; make informed decisions when dealing with complex challenges; and employ a multidisciplinary perspective when creating, analysing, or implementing policies. Queen Mary also provides career guidance and support to students who may wonder about what’s the next step they should take.  

If you are ready to understand and implement public policy, learn more about our online, part-time MSc in International Public Policy here or contact our team using the form below.