POLICY ANALYSIS & GLOBAL GOVERNANCE at University of West of Scotland

OVERVIEW

Our MSc Policy Analysis & Global Governance equips you with an understanding of contemporary policy challenges – such as climate change, human rights, health inequalities, terrorism and migration – within a national and global context.

You will investigate and evaluate the ways in which a variety of state and non-state actors come together to address global problems, whilst analysing the development and impact of complex public policies in an era of global governance and global crises.

The MSc ideal for those seeking to undertake careers in policy analysis, public administration and management, and evaluation. The programme is also of key relevance for those who are currently working in policy roles and who seek to undertake study at postgraduate level as part of their continuous professional development.

Career-focused

Work-related learning underpins the teaching on this MSc with the use of employment-focused assessments and the use of improvement and evaluation projects as part of the assessment strategies.

Course staff enable you to build links with our existing partners through the Oxfam partnership and with wider civil society and public sector bodies.

The master's research dissertation module also offers you the opportunity to enhance your CV by undertaking a practice-based project as part of your final dissertation in collaboration with a public or third sector organisation.

Career prospects

Our Masters prepares graduates for the real world and provides you with a range of skills including project management, synthesis, analysis and evaluation, as well as policy analysis skills. These are attractive to government, state agencies, and civil society employers.

This research-informed Masters also prepares you well for further research studies, including PhD.

COURSE DETAILS

You will complete three core 20-credit modules and a further three optional modules for the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip). This ensures that all students can pursue their chosen specialisms on solid intellectual and disciplinary foundations. You will then complete your MSc by carrying out an extended research project dissertation.

For the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) stage, you will study the following core modules:

• Policy Analysis and Practice (core, 20 credits)
• Comparative Governance & Public Administration (core, 20 credits)
• Research Methods (core, 20 credits) 

To complete the PgDip stage, you will select a three, 20 credit modules from the following options:

• Social Research Today (optional, 20 credits) 
• Power, Politics & Civil Society (optional, 20 credits) 
• The State in a Global Order (optional, 20 credits) 
• Contemporary Social Issues (optional, 20 credits)
• Global Crisis Management (core, 20 credits)

Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:

• MSc Social Sciences Dissertation

The Dissertation will give you the opportunity to specialise in an area of public policy and governance that interests you, while under academic supervision.