MSc in International Public Policy

The MSc in International Public Policy at Queen’s offers a high-quality programme of academic and personal development, providing students with the tools to understand and influence the contemporary policy problems faced by governments globally.

Students undertaking the MSc programme will engage with a wide variety of theories, concepts and cases in the study of public policy both domestically and internationally and will be exposed to a variety of research methods. As they progress through the MSc programme, students can choose to examine public policy issues across a range of international policy domains, including climate change, global ethics, security and terrorism, policing and crime, youth and social justice, EU governance, and write a supervised dissertation on a public policy theme of their choosing.

As well as hearing from guest speakers, there will also be a study visit to the EU institutions in Brussels and the OECD in Paris to better understand the interplay of public policy between national and international levels.

The programme uniquely offers opportunities for personal as well as academic advancement, and participants in the MSc can avail of the opportunity to undertake the Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Global Opportunities

The MSc in International Public Policy will involve a study visit to the EU institutions in Brussels and the OECD in Paris to better understand the interplay of public policy between national and international levels. Queen’s is ranked 22nd in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020).

Professional Accreditations

Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Participants in the MSc programme will avail of the opportunity to undertake the Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast. We are a dynamic community of internationally acclaimed researchers, scholars and students who are committed to creating and sustaining a modern and meaningful place of connected learning. We are open to all talents, welcoming of challenge and change, and dedicated to using our subject expertise to make a difference in lives locally, nationally and internationally.

The Faculty has almost 10,500 students and over 700 academic and support staff who work in and across our five Schools – Arts, English and Languages; History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics; Law; Management; and Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, and in the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. Our colleagues and students pursue a wide range of activities, including world-leading research and life-changing teaching. We hope that you want to be part of our work: we have nearly 150 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as lots of challenging doctoral opportunities, so there is definitely something to suit your needs and ambition.

We are proud of the work of our students and staff, which has been recognised by many others for its quality and its commitment to work that makes. As a member of the Russell Group, Queen’s University Belfast is one of the UK’s 24 leading universities, providing students with a world-class education underpinned by world-class research. Queen’s is truly a global university, as our researchers work closely with more than 250 universities around the world and with even more businesses and agencies in Belfast and internationally. These networks and collaborations inform our programmes and offer great opportunities for students to learn with and from international peers and partners.

So, with a huge range of undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities, as well as a vibrant postgraduate research culture, I know that you will find that Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast will challenge and inspire you, as well as equip you with the first-class skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen career.

Nola Hewitt-Dundas Pro-Vice-Chancellor

An Intellectual Powerhouse

Spanning everything from traditional humanities and social science subjects to cutting-edge areas in Creative Arts and applied professional studies.

Over 40 per cent of our research is ranked in the top 25 per cent for its respective subject area, with a further 40 per cent in the top 50 per cent nationally.

A Collaborative Culture

Our interdisciplinary environment allows students from all fields the opportunity to interact with academic leaders and participate in their research.

Areas of notable excellence include Creative Writing, Sonic Arts, Global Financial Markets, Children’s Well-being, Poverty and Social Exclusion, Translation and Interpreting and Shared Education.