Teaching & modules
Modules
Required Modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- The Policy Process (15 credits)
- Comparative Public Policy (15 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional Modules
In addition, you are required to take 90 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
- Evaluating Public Policy (15 credits)
- Public Policy Internship (15 credits)
- Liberty, Equality & Justice: Political Theory and Public Policy (15 credits)
- Media, Elections and Campaigning (15 credits)
- The Political Economy of Corruption (15 credits)
- Gender, Politics and Public Policy (15 credits)
- New Political Economy of the Media (15 credits)
- Ethics and Public Policy (15 credits)
- Business and Politics (15 credits)
- Comparative Political Economy (15 credits)
- Quantitative Methods in Political Economy (15 credits)
- Institutions and Economic Development (15 credits)
- Economic History (15 credits)
- Political Economy of Discrimination (15 credits)
- Climate Change Economics and Policy (15 credits)
- Climate policy and global energy transitions (15 credits)
- The Political Effects of Climate Change (15 credits)
- Policymaking in Non-Democracies (15 credits)
- Parties, Voters and Political Culture in Britain, 1945-2010 (15 credits)
- Democracy in the United Kingdom (15 credits)
- Theories of Politics (15 credits)
- Britain and Europe Since 1945 (15 credits)
- Anglo-American Relations Since 1945 (15 credits)
- African Crisis and Opportunity (15 credits)
- Development Economics
- Health Economics and Policy (15 credits)
- Using Economics in Government
- Law and Politics of Regulation (15 credits)
- Constitutional Political Economy (15 credits)
- Managing the UK economy: Fiscal and monetary policy since 1945 (15 credits)
- Islam, Politics and Society (15 credits)
- Political Economy of Authoritarianism in the Middle East (15 credits)
- Political Economy of Violence (15 credits)
Out of these 90 credits, students may take a maximum of 30 optional credits from level 7 modules outside of their programme’s approved module list, subject to approval by the Course Director.
Students may also take an additional non-assessed credit modern language module in addition to their 180 credits.
Part-time students complete the required taught modules in their first year and the dissertation in their second year.
If you are taking the part-time course, the Department will allow you to select how many optional modules you wish to take during Year 1 and during Year 2.
There may be optional pre-sessional lectures running in welcome week to supplement your learning. When offered, pre-sessionals typically include introductory courses on economics, political theory, political science and public policy.
Teaching methods - what to expect
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.
At King’s, all students on a taught programme are allocated a personal tutor who will play a key role in helping you to get the most out of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university.
Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity to periodically take stock of your learning, academic progress, and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidance on how to seek further support if you need it, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King’s student.
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 15-credit taught module |
The total contact time for each 15-credit taught module is 20 hours. |
Each 15-credit taught module has 130 hours of self-guided learning time. |
|
Dissertation module |
A set of dissertation workshops plus one-to-one dissertation consultations. |
592 hours self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written/Practical Examinations
- Assessed Essays
- Presentations
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include written examinations, coursework, assessed essays and presentations. You may also benefit from some informal assessment during individual modules to help steer your studies and enhance your learning.
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