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Public Policy & Management MSc

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Whether you’re a social science graduate or a working professional, the MSc in Public Policy & Management will provide the skills you need to evaluate policy options for public services.

Although we’re based in the heart of London, the course has an international outlook. Whether you’re a working professional or a recent social science graduate, our comparative focus will give you a solid understanding of public policy around the world.

The skills you’ll learn will apply to a whole range of careers around the world – in the public and voluntary sectors, or at NGOs.


Key benefits

  • Our links with governments, public sector organisations, NGOs, and policymakers mean there will be plenty of inspiring speakers throughout your course.
  • Being in the centre of London, there are countless opportunities for internships and first-hand experience.
  • We don’t just focus on theory – we emphasise practical application of ideas, from HR management to designing programme evaluations.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration 1 year FT / 2 years PT, September to September

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180 / ECTS 90

Course intake 40 FT and PT

Course leaders

Dr Susan Trenholm

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0)20 7848 7000
fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7200

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty King's Business School

Locations

 

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Course detail

Description

We want our graduates to have an impact, so we place a strong emphasis on effective provision of public services. You’ll be able to evaluate real world policies and learn lessons from the “new public management”.

You’ll take a variety of compulsory modules:

  • Organisation and Management of the Public Services
  • Economics of the Public Services
  • The Public Policy-Making Process
  • Research Methods in Public Policy & Management
  • Social Entrepreneurship

There are regular opportunities for networking and getting more involved in the subject. Lots of your course will be delivered as seminars with senior policymakers from government. Our alumni organise events, including seminars for students, and there are collaborative internships available.

Course purpose

We want you to be able to deliver the highest quality public services. So this course will equip you with the skills to really understand policy options.

You’ll study theoretical concepts, and analyse real-world policies, to discover what this means for managers and policymakers in the working world.

Further literature

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/enquiry-form.aspx

Course format and assessment

The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:

teaching
 Module Lectures, seminars and feedback Self-study
Per 15-credit module Between 20 and 30 hours which typically consist of a combination of lectures, case discussion and tutorials; there may be some variation in the precise format. Approximately 120-130 hours.
Dissertation module Two dissertation workshops and one-to-one supervision. Approximately 596 hours self-study and project work.


Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Throughout your degree you are assessed by a variety of methods, which include written examinations, coursework and individual or group projects and presentations for the taught modules. The nature of assessment varies by module.

Assignment feedback is provided within four working weeks of submission.

Assessment may also include Formative Assessments (formative assessment is not-for-credit; your final mark for the module will rest solely on your summative assessment).

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits.

Part-time students should plan to take 60 credits of required taught modules in their first year, and 60 credits from the dissertation module, 45 credits of optional modules and 15 credits of required modules in their second year.

Required Modules

You are required to take:

• Organisation & Management of the Public Services (15 credits)

• Economics of the Public Services (15 credits)

• Research Methods in Public Policy & Management (15 credits)

• Social Entrepreneurship (15 credits)

• The Public Policy-Making Process (15 credits)

• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, students take 45 credits from a range of optional modules which may typically include:

• Education & Training; Policy & Programmes (15 credits)

• Key Issues in Health Policy (15 credits)

• Strategic Management (15 credits)

• People Management in the Public Services (15 credits)

• Practical & Theoretical Evaluation of Public Policy (15 credits)

• Internship Analytic Report (15 credits)

• Short refresher courses in Maths & Economics (0 credits) – these are strongly recommended and are taken during reading and induction weeks

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Public Policy & Management Entry Requirements
Minimum UK requirements 2:1

Undergraduate degree with minimum 2:1 honours is usually required in social science related area e.g., management, economics, sociology or relevant experience in public sector management.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. 

Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements for your application to be considered does not guarantee an offer as applications for this programme are very competitive.
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band B Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £80 applies.

Your application will be assessed by academic staff in the department; we aim to process all applications within four to six weeks, but during February, March and holiday periods, applications may take longer to process.

Personal statement and supporting information

Please provide a personal statement that shows how your own interests are linked to the programme. In this statement please describe your academic background, your reasons for applying for this programme and what you hope to gain from it, including any relevant experience, strengths, ambitions or research interests.

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement  Yes A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application

 

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.  Our first application deadline is the 29 March 2019.  Applications will remain open if places are available and programmes will be closed as soon as they are full.  

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home/EU fees: £12,300 per year (2019/20)
  • Full time overseas fees: £21,300 per year (2019/20)
  • Part time Home/EU fees: £6,150 per year (2019/20)
  • Part time overseas fees: £11,250 per year (2019/20)

Students starting their programme in 2019/20 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2020/21.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March 2019, payment is due by 27th April 2019.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st April 2019 and 30th June 2019, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st July 2019 and 31st July 2019, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August 2019, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Scholarships

We have a number of scholarships available for King’s Business School Master’s students. Please visit our scholarships page for more information.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
  • Library fees and fines
  • Personal photocopies
  • Printing course handouts
  • Society membership fees
  • Stationery
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Examples of past student's current occupations include: working in the policy and analysis section of a large London embassy; health service management positions with responsibility for multi-million pound budgets; policy adviser to the chairman of a major transport organisation; senior analyst in the ministry of industry and trade of a developing country; member of a national legislature; policy development for a large NGO; running a policy website. Students have usually progressed to higher level management positions and overseas students typically return home to new fast-track governmental and public service positions which build on their expertise.

Career destinations

Previous students from this course have gone on to employment in a variety of public sector management and policy-oriented positions and there is an active alumni network.

Testimonials

BoFeng

BoFeng

"It was fantastic studying at King's; The Department of Management provides unique and valuable opportunities to increase my skills and knowledge. The staff are regular contributors to academic journals and help raise the reputation of the College."

Alison Wolf

Alison Wolf

'Our programme taps directly into the policy community and its debates. It offers contributions from leading practitioners as well as drawing on students’ own public and voluntary sector experience and its teaching staff includes academics with direct experience of policy making and policy implementation at national level.'

Chair of Public Sector Management and co-ordinator of the MSc Public Services Policy and Management

Next steps

Upcoming events

Jun 22 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 22 June
Jul 6 Undergraduate Open Day | Health and Life Sciences | Guy’s Campus | Saturday 6 July
Sep 7 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 7 September

Full list of student events

View our postgraduate guide

Learn more about postgraduate degree programmes at King's. Download or view our guide in PDF format.

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