Teaching & modules
Modules
Courses are divided into modules.
Full-time students will complete the course in one year and take modules totalling 180 credits.
Part-time will take modules totalling 60 credits in year 1 and 120 credits in year 2.
Required Modules
Part-time students should plan to take 60 credits of required taught modules in their first year and 60 credits of required dissertation in the second year:
You are required to take:
- Organisation & Management of the Public Services (15 credits)
- Economics of Public Management (15 credits)
- Research Methods in Public Policy & Management (15 credits)
- The Public Policy-Making Process (15 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
- Short refresher courses in Mathematics & Economics – taken during Reading Week (non-credit bearing)
Optional Modules
In addition, students take 60 credits from a range of optional modules which varies from year to year.
Part-time students in the second year, take 60 credits of optional modules
The available options may include:
- Leadership in the Public Services (15 credits)
- Regulating Business and Society (15 credits)
- Managing Non-Profits (15 credits)
- Key Issues in Health Policy (15 credits)
- People Management in Public Services (15 credits)
- Practical and Theoretical Evaluation of Public Policy (15 credits)
- Changing Public Services Organisations (15 credits)
- PPM Consulting Module (15 credits)
- Data Analytics (15 credits)
- Risk and Crisis Management (15 credits)
Teaching methods - what to expect
This MSc offers the chance to explore key public service policy functions, such as the organisation and economics of public services, regulation, health policy, managing non-profits, strategy, managing change, policy evaluation and leadership.
We draw upon varied teaching approaches – including lectures, workshops, case-studies, tutorials – delivered in excellent facilities. You will develop your group working skills through collective projects as well as individual study through innovative assessment.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
The total contact time for each 15-credit taught module is typically 20-30 hours. These sessions will include lectures, teacher-led and student-led group discussions based on the main areas of study. Each 15-credit taught module also has approximately 120-130 hours of self-guided learning time.
Dissertation module are done in seminars and one-to-one supervision. Dedicating approximately 582 hours of self-study and project work.
Part-time study
Students are required to be on campus one day per week in terms 1 and 2, and in both year 1 and year 2.
Assessment
- Written/practical examinations
- Coursework
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. This may include academic essays, reflective statements, policy briefs, and/or reports. Forms of assessment may also include individual and/or group projects and presentations. The dissertation submitted in September each year is worth 60 credits. Assignment feedback is provided within four working weeks of submission.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026