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University of Aberdeen: Politics and Public Policy
| Institution | University of Aberdeen View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Social Science |
| Web | https://www.abdn.ac.uk |
| pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 01224 272090 |
| Study type | Taught |
Summary
The MSc Politics and Public Policy equips students with the necessary expertise and skills for careers in politics and policymaking in government, business, third-sector organisations, the media, the research sector, and international institutions.
You will gain a deep understanding of key problems and issues in UK and international politics, the processes of policy making, the limitations of public policy responses, and how to bring about good public policy.
Public policy responses to the world’s political problems tend to disappoint. In this programme you will gain the theoretical knowledge, frameworks and tools to analyse, evaluate and develop policy relating to key political contemporary issues and challenges including poverty, human rights, migration, climate change and energy transition.
Through examining pressing issues in contemporary politics and the complexity of the public policy process in a variety of economic, social and cultural settings, you will develop an understanding of how public policy can resolve these immense challenges, in the UK and internationally.
This programme will equip you with knowledge of policymaking process and their strengths and limitations. You will explore how key actors, such as politicians, experts, corporate interests, campaign groups, the media, social movements, activists and the public, set the agenda and shape the development of public policy at various levels, from the local to the global. You will consider how to bring about change and develop successful public policy and learn how policymaking can meet the challenges of modern multi-level governance in a rapidly changing world.
You will have the unique opportunity to study specialist courses on political issues like migration and climate change, and courses which consider how campaigns and movements apply pressure on political systems to change.
The MSc Politics and Public Policy is suitable for students from a wide range of backgrounds, including politics, business, economics, international relations, law, and sociology, who seek to develop the skills necessary for a career in politics and public policy at local, national or international levels.
Join us to learn how to understand and evaluate the policy process, undertake research, and communicate your knowledge and findings on some of the world’s most taxing social and political problems.
MSc
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with at least 2:2 standard from a recognised university or body. Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.2 but with 2.2 results in their final two years of study may be admitted. |
| Location | Main Site University Office Regent Walk King's College Aberdeen AB24 3FX |
Fees
| Republic of Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| EU | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
| England | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with at least 2:2 standard from a recognised university or body. Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.2 but with 2.2 results in their final two years of study may be admitted. |
| Location | Main Site University Office Regent Walk King's College Aberdeen AB24 3FX |
Fees
| Republic of Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| EU | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
| England | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
Overview
The University of Aberdeen is Scotland’s third oldest university and the fifth oldest in the UK. Founded by Bishop William Elphinstone in 1495, the beautiful campus attracts a diverse international community of over 14,000 students from over 130 countries.
The University of Aberdeen is ranked as a Top 15 UK university by the Guardian University Guide 2025 and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. It also ranks second across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for student satisfaction in The National Student Survey 2024.
Postgraduate Programmes
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