MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management

Course description

MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management seeks to provide an interdisciplinary training and education that will enable policymakers, economists, planners, managers and researchers to be fully conversant with current issues of public policy and management, in an international development setting.

It will provide you with the conceptual and analytical tools needed to understand and critically review issues relevant to public policy and public sector reform.

While the course was conceived primarily for those already working in the public sector environment, it has evolved into a highly successful multidisciplinary course that is appropriate to modern professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds, who have an interest in issues of public policy.

Aims

• Develop your understanding of the different conceptual and theoretical perspectives applied to public policy and management, and public sector reform.
• Expand upon your understanding of the principles and practices underlying the implementation of public policy processes, and provide knowledge of 'real-world' examples of public policy/sector reform.
• Learn about the role and importance of institutions for public policy and management.
• Grow your skills and provide you with a significant cross-disciplinary (development economics, public policy, management and development studies) skill set that will enable you to critically analyse and communicate your analysis effectively.
• Build your awareness and knowledge of a variety of global public policies and how they are implemented.
• Develop your command of current theory, policy and practice in relation to some of the following specialist areas: public policy process and methods; public sector economics; development and economic policy; privatisation and public enterprise reform; public sector accounting and organisational change.
• Build upon your independent research skills through a supervised dissertation research project.

Coursework and assessment

The taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (eg project-based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.

You must also complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Programme Directors. You are encouraged to base your dissertation on topics of direct professional concern.

Career opportunities

Teaching and research at the Global Development Institute covers a wide variety of topics and as a result our students can be found in a range of jobs and careers.

Our teaching aims to support students from all backgrounds to acquire valuable knowledge, skills and attributes to achieve their educational and professional goals. It includes regular contributions from researchers and practitioners with a view to equip our students to make a positive difference in their chosen sphere.