Why Lancaster?
- Learn through real-life case studies, work alongside policy practitioners, and confront problems surrounding public policymaking
- Look at the world of policy through a critical lens and apply your skills to complete a portfolio project where you’ll create policy recommendations
- Be surrounded by experts who work with UK parliament, make regular media appearances and want to shape the future of policymaking
- Join a community that cares about ethical policymaking, focusing on an applied approach that drives change
How is public policy made? What challenges do policymakers face? And how do we construct policy solutions to policy problems? Study with us to explore these vital questions and confront the puzzles of public policymaking.
Fresh ideas to meet big challenges
Conflict, climate change, cost of living. Global crises cannot be solved by one individual. To make a change, we need to take collective action – and without policy that wouldn’t be possible. The world needs good policymakers with new ideas and a fresh approach to tackle the stalemate that policy has reached.
If you want to work in the world of international, national or local policy, you need to know how it’s made. This programme unpacks policymaking and gives you the skills to research, evaluate and create policy.
You might recognise some of our teaching team from their media appearances, perhaps talking about maritime security or the Middle East. You might have picked up their books in a shop – one academic has recently published on Labour's immigration policy.
Learn the skills to create policy
You'll hear from our expert academics on different domains, from local government to national defence. Our aim is to also hear perspectives from policy practitioners in different roles.
Instead of a traditional dissertation, you’ll complete a portfolio module. You’ll look at a specific area, use policy evaluation tools and create policy recommendations. Then showcase your work at a conference which will be attended by our community of practitioners and academics.
Whether you’re interested in environmental, immigration, defence, foreign, or EU public policy, or the broader politics of policymaking, we’ll help you hone your specialism and sharpen the skills employers are looking for.
Postgraduate Certificate Pathway
If you have successfully completed our Postgraduate Certificate in Politics and International Relations, you will be eligible to transfer into this master’s programme.
The Postgraduate Certificate is an attractive option if you want to try out postgraduate study or are currently unable to commit to taking a full master’s degree.
Both the Certificate and the master’s are available to study on a full- or part-time basis.
