MSc Public Policy, Finance and Management SOAS University of London

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or part-time

This programme is designed for recent graduates with first degrees in political science, public administration, economics, accounting and finance, sociology, and other social science subjects. The programme is also designed for individuals who already work in government or the public sector more generally, and who aim to strengthen their knowledge, capabilities and skills to improve career prospects. This programme aims to provide: 1) a deeper comprehensive knowledge set of theories on public policy, public management and public financial management; 2) a clear understanding of major contemporary issues in public policy, public management and public financial management across countries in the world, 3) distinguishing capacity to analyse, assess and explain salient topics in public policy, public management and public financial management and 4) Enhanced capacity to argue and communicate effectively about choices in the domains of public policy, public management and public financial management.

The programme aims to help students start a career in government and public sector agencies, or strengthen their prospects for an improved career trajectory.

The MSc Public Policy, Finance and Management can be also taken jointly with the Global Master of Public Administration at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance of the University of Washington. Students who apply and are admitted to the GMPA can spend year one at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and year two at School of Finance and Management of SOAS University of London, and then graduate with two Masters Degrees.

Structure

Students must take 180 credits. These are composed of 120 taught credits comprising core and optional modules and a 60 credit dissertation.

Not all option modules are offered every year; please check your preferences with the Programme Convenor. Also note that where 15 credit modules are selected, these should be balanced between term 1 and term 2.

Dissertation

Students must undertake a Dissertation to the value of 60 credits.

Core Modules

• Public Policy: Perspectives, Issues and Strategies
• Fiscal Governance, Budgeting and Performance
• Public Governance, Accountability and Transparency
• Innovation and Organisational Change
• Research methods in management
• Emerging Market Finance

Optional Elective Modules

Students should choose one 15 credit module from List A and one 15 credit open option module from List B.

List A

• Bank Regulation and Resolution of Banking Crises
• Managerial Accounting
• Cultural Intelligence and Global Business Communication
• International Corporate Finance
• Macroeconomic Policy and Financial markets
• Blockchain and Distributed Electronic Ledgers: Implications for Business, Finance, Government and Society

List B - Open Options

Students take one 15 credit module from the open option lists from the following departments and centres (subject to availability):

• Development Studies Open Options
• Economics Open Options
• Politics and International Studies Open Options
• Centre For International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) Open Options

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.