Public Policy (MA, PDip)

Course Overview

Watch course video presentation here.

The MA in Public Policy prepares its graduates to work in government, public bodies, civil society organisations, NGOs, international organisations, businesses and other fields and organisations that require an expert understanding of policymaking, administration and governance. In addition to core policy and research training modules, it offers a field trip to Brussels to examine EU policy- and decision-making and specialised modules in specific policy areas such as: Advocacy and Development; Gender; Peace, Conflict and Human Security; Ageing Child and Family; Ocean and Marine; Urban Policy; Social Welfare; and Negotiations. Students can also opt for a module in data analytics for public policy. At a time when policy design and implementation are increasingly subject to political scrutiny and negotiation, the course emphasises the political contexts in which policy is made and the new forms of public consultation and participation.

The programme will appeal to Arts and Social Science graduates seeking a qualification that will help them to secure policy-related employment; graduates from other cognate fields including Economics and Law seeking to improve their employment prospects; graduates interested in pursuing PhD research.

The objectives of the programme are to:

• Equip students with theoretical knowledge of policy-making processes and key issues such as participation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Enhance students' skills in communication, innovative thinking, negotiation, presentation, teamwork, and writing skills
• Offer direct experience of contributing to policy-making processes, analysing current policies, and suggesting solutions to policy problems while working in teams and as individuals.
• Introduce students to expert knowledge on a range of key national and international policy issues.

• Introduce students to the concept of participation in policy-making, with particular emphasis on the use of public consultations.

As an international student you might be able to apply for a scholarship and here is a link to those available at University of Galway. NOTE: this MA is now eligible for the Irish-Palestine Fellowship Aid Scholarship, information on that scheme is here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Requirements:

Personal statement: all applicants must enclose a typed personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining why you wish to undertake the programme(s) of your choice, outlining how it fits into your career objectives, and discussing your research interests.

Referees: you are required to supply two references. One must be an academic reference (in the case of applicants currently undertaking studies) OR an employer (in the case of applicants currently in employment).

In addition, non-University of Galway students are required to provide the following:

Official qualifications and exam results (transcripts) to date: required for all non-University of Galway applicants and for University of Galway graduates who did not receive their undergraduate degrees from University of Galway. Copies of originals must be certified as true copies. Applicants who have still to graduate must send in these on receipt.

Passport or Birth certificate: non University of Galway-applicants only—a copy of your passport or birth certificate must also be submitted.

English language competency: if necessary, evidence of English language competency.

Further details can be found here.

If the selection committee deems it necessary, applicants can be called for an interview to better assess their application.

Who Teaches this Course

Jacqueline Murphy
Lecturer
304 Aras Moyola
School of Political Science & Sociology
Telephone: +353 (0)91 495787
Email: jacqueline.murphy@universityofgalway.ie

Mr Niall Ó Brolcháin

Dip

Researcher

Insight Centre for Data Analytics

Telephone: +353 (0)91 49 5113

Mobile: 087 9524776

Email: niall.obrolchain@insight-centre.org

 

Prof Niall Ó Dochartaigh

M.A., Ph.D.

Personal Professor
School of Soc. & Pol.
Room 333 Aras Moyola
University of Galway
University Rd
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Prof. Kevin Leyden

PhD

Joint Creative, Liveable and Sustainable Communities Reseach Cluster Leader
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Dr. Brendan Flynn

B.A., M.A., Ph.D

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Dr Hanna-Kaisa Hoppania

PhD

Lecturer - Contract Type B
School of Political Science and Sociology
University of Galway
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Prof Michelle Millar

Personal Professor
Room 1045
UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre
ILAS
University of Galway
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Dr Evans Fanoulis

BA., MA., MA., PhD

Lecturer Above The Bar
School of Sociology & Politics
University of Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Course Outline

Overall structure of the programme

• 45 ECTS core modules
• 20 ECTS Research Paper
• 25 ECTS optional modules

Core modules (45 ECTS)

These modules provide students with the theoretical and empirical tools that are necessary for the analysis of public policy and the completion of the research dissertation.

1. Public Policy and Politics (10 ECTS) Public Policy and Politics (10 ECTS) reviews the major approaches to the study of public policy, and introduces students to key concepts including the policy cycle, policy stakeholders, public participation, and digital governance (Semester 1).
2. Policy Challenges: National, European and Global (10 ECTS) Policy Challenges: National, European and Global (10 ECTS) introduces students to contemporary policy challenges at national, European and global levels and to mechanisms for public consultation. It examines how issues make it on to the agenda of decision-makers and prepares students to contribute to policy-making processes through the critical reflection of policy challenges and corresponding problem-solving. The module is taught by experts from a range of disciplines across the university including Law, Economics, Political Science, Sociology and Management. There is a particular emphasis on the use of public consultations (Semester 1).
3. Research Methods and Methodology (10 ECTS) This module aims to give students a solid grounding in research methods. The topics covered include definitions of research, argument and logic, sources of information, tools for information searches, theory and practice of basic qualitative and quantitative research methods (Semester 1).
4. Public Policy Seminar (5 ECTS) This module introduces students to critical engagement with policy-making and governance and to the writing of evidence-based policy briefs aimed at informing and influencing policymakers. The module is taught by experts from a range of disciplines across the university including Law, Economics, Political Science and Sociology and generally includes one or two seminars by external experts. The module typically covers topics such as crime, economic policy, housing, migration, lobbying, environmental policy, child and family policy, and more. Students are expected to participate actively in the seminars by asking questions and contributing to group discussion.
5. Research Workshops (10 ECTS) This module provides workshops relevant to the development of students’ dissertations. The workshops are led by academic staff with diverse and varied research experience. Typical workshop topics include academic writing, critical thinking, literature review, methods selection, working with primary sources, and the development of a research proposal, along with workshops focused on specific fields of research (Semesters 1 and 2).

SP6145 Research Paper (20 ECTS)

The Research Paper (MA dissertation) on an original research topic is completed over the summer months.

Optional modules (25 ECTS)

The optional modules enable students to specialise in areas of interest, build on foundational knowledge, and develop focused expertise, and choose a research area for the final research paper. Students can concentrate on a specific policy area by choosing modules in areas such as Development; Peace and Security; Gender; Ageing; Marine Policy; Urban Development; NGOs and Advocacy.

The field experience module offers students a field trip to Brussels to meet and network with practitioners and visit institutional venues such as the European Parliament and the European Commission.

LIST OF OPTIONAL MODULES

5 ECTS modules, Semesters 1& 2 

• SP574 Families and Children in Society and Policy

5 ECTS modules, Semester 2 

• SP6128 Field-based Learning (Brussels Field Trip)
• MK5116 Negotiations
• DEV6102 Data Analytics for Social Sciences 1
• GG6103 Development and Human Rights GG6110 Applied Gender Analyses
• GG106 Women, Conflict and Human Security
• ENLIGHT Summer School: Equity and Sustainability Transitions

10 ECTS modules, Semester 2 

• SP6143 Urban Public Policy: Smart & Liveable Cities
• SP6149 Conflict, Peace & Security
• SP6120 Irish Politics North and South
• SP6122 Social and Political Context of Activism and Advocacy
• GG6109 Gender, Sexuality and Global Health
• HI6100 NGOs in the 20th Century and the Making of the 20th Century World LW575 Crime and Disorder
• EC5116 Global Issues in Agricultural, Marine and Renewable Energy Economics
• EC5115 Environmental Economic Modelling
• EC5142 International Policy and Ageing across the Life Course
• DJ6137 Strategic Communication
• DJ6144 Communicating Climate Action and Science
• LW5208 European Consumer Law and Policy
• LW550 Advocacy and Access to Justice
• SP6127 Professional Experience (Placement)

N.B. Some optional modules require students to have taken certain prerequisite courses. The list of available modules may vary from year to year. Availability of optional modules in some disciplines will be subject to minimum head counts as determined by the disciplines involved.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

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