Public Policy (MA, PDip)

Course Overview

The MA in Public Policy prepares its graduates to work in government, public bodies, civil society organisations, NGOs, International organisations, businesses and other fields and organisations that require an expert understanding of policy-making. It offers specialised modules in specific policy areas including: Environmental and Rural policy; Peace, Security and Development; Gender; Disability policy; Ageing policy; Child and Family policy. At a time when policy formulation and implementation is increasingly subject to political scrutiny and negotiation, the course emphasizes the political contexts in which policy is made and implemented and the development of digital government and new forms of public consultation and participation.

The programme is aimed at Arts graduates seeking a qualification that will help them to secure policy-related employment; graduates from other fields including Commerce and Law seeking to improve their employment prospects; graduates interested in pursuing PhD research in an area where NUI Galway has specialist policy expertise. 

The objectives of the programme are to:

• Equip students with theoretical knowledge of policy-making processes and key issues such as participation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Enhance students' skills in communication, innovative thinking, negotiation, presentation, teamwork, and writing skills
• Offer direct experience of contributing to policy-making processes, analysing current policies, and suggesting solutions to policy problems while working in teams and as individuals.
• Introduce students to expert knowledge on a range of key national and international policy issues.

• Introduce students to the concept of participation in policy-making, with particular emphasis on the forms of advocacy and lobbying.

As an international student you might be able to apply for a scholarship and here is a link to those available at NUI Galway. 

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Course Outline

The MA in Public Policy prepares its graduates to work in government, public bodies, civil society organisations, NGOs, International organisations, businesses and other fields and organisations that require an expert understanding of policy-making. It offers specialised modules in specific policy areas including: Environmental and Rural policy; Peace, Security and Development; Gender; Disability policy; Ageing policy; Child and Family policy. At a time when policy formulation and implementation is increasingly subject to political scrutiny and negotiation, the course emphasizes the political contexts in which policy is made and implemented and the development of digital government and new forms of public consultation and participation.

Overall structure of the programme

• 40 ECTS core modules
• 30 ECTS Dissertation
• 20 ECTS optional modules 

Core modules (40 ECTS)
These modules provide students with the theoretical and empirical tools that are necessary for the analysis of public policy and the completion of the research dissertation.

1. Public Policy and Politics (10 ECTS) is team-taught by policy experts in the School of Soc and Pol and covers theory, the policy process, public participation, and digital government (Semester 1).

2. Policy Challenges: Irish, European and Global(10 ECTS) is taught by policy experts from across CASSCS and CBPPL. It gives students access to a wide range of policy expertise at NUI Galway. Students prepare policy briefs and provide direct inputs into policy via public consultation processes. There is a particular emphasis on developments in e-government (Semester 1). 

3. Methodologies and Methods (10 ECTS)  A joint module with other MA programmes in the School of Political Science and Sociology (Semesters 1 and 2). It familiarises students with quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry as well as data collection and evaluation techniques.

4. Research seminar (10 ECTS) A joint module with other MA programmes in the School of Political Science and Sociology (Semesters 1 and 2). 

SP6117 Research Dissertation (30 ECTS)

The dissertation on an original research topic is completed over the summer months. 

Optional modules (20 ECTS)

The optional modules enable students to specialise in areas of interest, build on foundational knowledge, and develop focused expertise, and choose a research area for the final dissertation. Students can concentrate on a specific policy area by choosing a 'specialist stream' consisting of closely-related modules. Specialist streams include: Environment and Rural Development; Peace and Security; Gender; Ageing and Public Policy; Advocacy, Lobbying and Interest Group Politics. 

The field experience module offers students a field trip to Brussels to meet and network with practitioners and visit institutional venues (N.B. availability of this module is subject to public health advice). 

List of optional modules 

N.B. Some optional modules require students to have taken certain prerequisite courses. The list of available modules may vary from year to year. Availability of optional modules in some disciplines will be subject to minimum head counts as determined by the disciplines involved. 

Assessment methods include: essays, exams, continuous assessments, policy briefs, policy papers, and the research dissertation.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

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