Social and Public Policy (MSc)

Cardiff University

Study how policy is designed around the world to meet human needs and increase wellbeing.

Study the theoretical, conceptual and analytical tools needed to examine contemporary social and public policies in both national and international contexts. Draw on theories and concepts and interpret a range of forms of evidence in analysing policy developments and their social impacts.

The MSc Social and Public Policy focuses on understanding the causes of, and potential solutions to, a range of important social issues. These include challenges such as poverty, increasing economic and social inequalities, and international development agreements.

This is an ideal course if you want to develop your capacity to analyse social and public policies nationally and internationally. It will enable you to deepen your understanding of the major aspects of social and public policy, including: competing conceptions of citizenship and how these inform social policy and the use of theories and research evidence to analyse, evaluate and explain social and public policy change.

The course is suitable for those who have recently completed undergraduate courses of study, as well as those working in the community and voluntary sector, think-tanks, as researchers, or at different levels of government. It has been designed to be of value and relevance to students both from the UK and overseas, so interested individuals from all nations are encouraged to apply.

Career prospects

The programme is designed to be of particular interest to individuals who have experience of working with, or an interest of working for, social or academic research organisations, departments at different levels of government (e.g. local, Welsh, UK-wide, European), international organisations (e.g. UNICEF), or at community and voluntary sector organisations. It is also relevant for students who seek to pursue other avenues but who wish to deepen their understanding of social and public policy in Wales, the UK and internationally.