Public Policy

Governments are facing more demands of greater complexity every day. Meanwhile, their ability to deliver on those demands is increasingly circumscribed. This course is ideal if you want to pursue advanced conceptual studies in politics, which nevertheless include an applied focus.

It considers the impediments and opportunities in contemporary policy-making. As a result, you will emerge better able to assess how governments can overcome inertia and select the best policies for today’s world. Our core module on Theories and Traditions in Public Policy identifies and analyses the history of policy studies, the core concepts of policy analysis, and theories of policy change.

You can choose from a large range of additional option choices (25+) within PAIS, with further approved modules available from other Warwick departments. This allows you to take the course in your own direction and to explore areas such as European policy, 

Unlike an MPA course, this programme combines an understanding of descriptive and normative theory with the practice of policy analysis and PAIS’s world-leading work on transnational policy-making. You will identify and analyse the main traditions of policy studies, the core concepts of policy analysis, and theories of policy change. By combining the core module with other topical modules in PAIS, you will be able to specialise your policy analysis expertise through the lens of a particular region, development, political economy, security, gender, democratisation, etc. It is thus ideal for students wanting to pursue advanced conceptual studies in Politics but who want to give those studies an applied focus.

The core module, Theories and Traditions in Public Policy, identifies and analyses the main traditions of policy studies, the core concepts of policy analysis, and theories of policy change.

In addition to the core module, students take any other modules totalling 80 CATS from a large range options. There are more than 25 to choose from in PAIS alone, or students can take approved modules from other Warwick departments. By selecting from this wide range of modules, each student can focus their Public Policy MA on a particular branch of policy studies, including European policy, global policy, policy and security, policy and development, general public policy, and more.

Part I

• You will follow 120 CATS (credits) of taught modules in Terms 1 & 2
• 40 of these CATS will be your core module
• The other 80 CATS may comprise of any combination of PAIS modules which
  • Is feasible within the relevant year's timetable
  • Is spread evenly between terms (ie, you cannot overload one term)
  • May include a mix of 40 CATS (full year) and 20 CATS (half year) modules
  • May include up to 40 CATS from a cognate department (see modules page)
• This works out to a commitment of 60 CATS per term, or six 2-hour seminar sessions + independent research
• You will also participate in several workshops spread throughout the year, including research skills and careers sessions
• Taught modules in PAIS are assessed by essay only

Part II

• You must pass Part I in order to proceed to Part II
• You will research and write a 10,000 word 60 CATS dissertation in Term 3 & over the summer holidays
• You will be assigned an academic advisor to help guide your research
• You will have the opportunity to participate in a Dissertation Conference to present your research and see what your colleagues are working on

• 2:i degree (or equivalent) in Politics and International Studies or a closely related subject (however, all serious applications from other disciplines will be considered);
• A strong personal statement
• Transcripts
• Statement of purpose

English Language

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course