MPP Public Policy

at University of Stirling

The core modules of this course focus on multi-level policymaking, and identifying the responsibilities and policies of local, devolved, national and international decision-makers. We then identify the concepts, models and theories used to study policy and policymaking – comparing theories in political science with a range of policy-relevant disciplines. Those disciplines include everything from economics to communication, psychology, management and social marketing. We also combine theory and practice by inviting policy actors to provide guest seminars as part of the core modules. The coursework fosters a range of skills, from blog posts to attract a wide audience to a research intensive dissertation to answer a pressing policy question.
 

Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
 

Course Details

Teaching
Each of the core modules on this course are delivered through weekly seminars.
 

The first semester core module ‘How Does the Policy Process Work’ includes a two-hour seminar each week. The second semester core module ‘Policymaking: Theories and Approaches’ includes a four-hour seminar each week – which combines weekly political science theory discussions with weekly guest seminars from practitioners and other policy-relevant disciplines.
 

Most Applied Social Research modules are delivered through a series of half-day, one-day or three-day blocks. The majority of policy-relevant options follow the same format as your core modules - weekly seminars and one piece of coursework.
 

The Applied Social Research component of your course is provided by the Faculty of Social Sciences, which is an ESRC-recognised postgraduate research training centre. In the UK’s last Research Assessment Exercise, 95 percent of the Faculty’s research was deemed ‘internationally excellent’ – and it received the highest possible score in the most recent teaching quality exercise.
 

Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a wide range of various coursework as part of your taught modules. That coursework includes blog posts, policy analysis, essays on practical lessons from policy theory, and the research dissertation.

English language requirements
 

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in speaking and listening
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 176 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 180 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 62 in reading and writing and 60 in speaking and listening
• IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
• Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a minimum of Merit in speaking and listening and distinction in reading and writing, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
• Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 105 in reading and writing and 95 in speaking and listening
• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass with a minimum of 152/200 overall including 38 in reading and writing, and 33 in speaking and listening
   

Undergraduate
 

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
 

Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Postgraduate

Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within 5 years of our course start date:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
 

Students who meet the above criteria, but Year 12 scores are between 6 and 10 years old, will also be required to submit an official letter from their university or college, stating that the medium of instruction (MOI) was in English, and confirming graduation is within 5 years of our course start date.

Overseas (non-EU) students

2022/23 - £19,145
2023/24 - £19,645
 

Course fees

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

• If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
• If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
   

Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
 

European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

After completing this course, you’ll graduate with subject-specific knowledge of the policy process – with transferable skills in research and analysis, which you’ll need to flourish in a range of organisations in the public, private and third sectors.
 

This course prepares you for a career in the public sector and vocations that make a contribution to the development or delivery of public policy.
 

Over the past five years, most graduates from the MPP and MSc Applied Social Research course have entered social research-related careers in the public, voluntary and private sectors.