MSc in International Public Policy

The MSc in International Public Policy at Queen’s offers a high-quality programme of academic and personal professional 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, ideas and sources in the study of public policy both domestically and internationally and will be introduced 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, AI and technology, global ethics, security and terrorism, policing and crime, and 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, NGOs, embassies and think tanks in Brussels, and the OECD in Paris to better understand the interplay of public policy between national and international levels.

The program uniquely offers opportunities for personal as well as academic advancement opportunities, 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). Work placements with the Northern Ireland Civil Service may be offered to a limited number of students.

International Public Policy highlights

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).

Student Experience

During the year, there will be a number of guest lecture events and social occasions.

Professional Accreditations

Level 7 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).

Industry Links

During the CMI programme, students will hear from leading industry and NGO figures.

Career Development

Students in the MSc programme will be able to participate in career development training.

Internationally Renowned Experts

Students benefit from intensive teaching by a wide and varied range of QUB academics with strong publishing profiles and international reputations in their areas of expertise and will be assessed through a range of examination methods.

Students will hear from senior practitioners from national and international organisations during their time on the programme.

Student Experience

Queen’s was ranked joint 1st in the UK for Research Intensity (Complete University Guide 2021).

Queen’s is ranked in the top 170 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).

Queen’s ranked 18 in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023).