Public Services Policy & Management – (M.Sc.)

Comparative and international in focus, the programme is suitable both for career professionals and for recent social science graduates. It is built around taught core modules, which include: Political Economy of the Public Services; Economics and Management of the Public Services; Management, Finance, Accounting and Audit; Human Resource Management in the Public Services; Research Methods (quantitative and qualitative). Optional modules relate to specific Public Service areas, including Health; Urban Regeneration, Education and Defence but also include in-depth modules on Policy Design, Policy Evaluation, and Leadership. You may take options from more than one area.
There is an emphasis on effective provision of public services (including their evaluation), and on the lessons of the 'new public management'; by comparison, the MA in Public Policy emphasises the analysis and understanding of the political process.
Seminars are central to the course and focus on current research and policy implementation. They involve senior policy-makers and practitioners including individuals actively involved with current UK government policymaking.