KBS_Icon_questionmark link-ico
Study at King’s

Go to…

Public Policy & Management MSc

Apply now

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

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty King's Business School

Locations

 

Explore campuses

Welcome to King's

In the heart of London

Discover the advantages of studying at one of the top 25 universities in the world and take a look at our central London campuses.

Watch more videos


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 Public Management
  • The Public Policy-Making Process
  • Research Methods in Public Policy & Management

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.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

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 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 (0 credits) – taken during Reading and

                Induction weeks

Optional Modules

In addition, students take 60 credits from a range of optional modules which varies from year to year. The available options may include:

•              Leadership in the Public Services (15 credits)

•              Regulation and Accountability in the Public Services (15 credits)

•              Social Entrepreneurship (15 credits)

•              Key Issues in Health Policy (15 credits)

•              Strategic Management (15 credits)

•              Internship Analytic Report (15 credits)

•              People Management in the Public Services (15 credits)

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. 

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 £100 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 is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages).
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 One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
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 26th March 2021. After this date, the programme will remain open only if places are still available and will be closed as soon as it is full.  

For programmes that remain open beyond this date, the final application deadlines for the following fee statuses are listed below: 

  • EU or overseas (international) fee status: 30th July 2021 

  • Home fee status: 27th August 2021 

Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline in March, and we are unable to process more offers as places are filled before the final application deadlines above. 

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 fees: £13,380 per year (2021/22)
  • Full time overseas fees: £23,460 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time Home fees: £6,690 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time overseas fees: £13,920 per year (2021/22)

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 deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March, payment is due by 30th April 2021. 

  • If you receive an offer between 1st April and 30th June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer. 

  • If you receive an offer between 1st July and 31st July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer. 

  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer. 

  • If you receive an offer from late August onwards, payment is due within 2 days 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

Blue box with King's College London rankings. Starting with, 7th in the UK for research quality. Followed by, 6th in the UK for research power. Concluding with, 4th among multi-faculty universities for research Impact. The source is research excellence framework 2014

Next steps

Upcoming events

Feb 10 Intercalated BSc Virtual Information Fair

Full list of student events

View our postgraduate guide

Learn more about postgraduate degree programmes at King's.

View guide

Sound like the course for you?

Apply now

Explore King’s

Accommodation Take a look at our comfortable, safe residences to suit your budget, located close to King's teaching campuses. 
Student life Art, food, music, shopping – you'll never find yourself with nothing to do in the world's most vibrant city.
Extra-curricular Discover the huge variety of extra-curricular opportunities at King’s, from MOOCs to language courses.
London living With four campuses by the River Thames and one in south London, King's is right in the heart of the capital.