Centre for Financial and Management Studies

Programme description

The MSc Public Policy and Management will provide you with the analytical tools that you need to understand the principles and methods of modern public policy and management, and enable you to make financial decisions and policy choices in the financing and management of infrastructure and services in the public sector. You can choose six modules in any combination, enabling you to select a study path that is best suited to your specialism, skills and objectives. You also have the option to study research methods and write a dissertation, under expert supervision, based on your interests or on issues in your place of work.

If you have any further questions about the overall programme content and its suitability for you, please email dladmissionsteam1@soas.ac.uk.

Modules and programme structure

You will study six modules selected from the list below.

If you wish to complete the Dissertation you must study Research Methods.

Modules

• Decentralisation and Local GovernanceM404
• DissertationM454
• E-Government †M403
• Environmental and Social Impact AssessmentM469
• Financial ReportingM492
• Human Resource Management and DevelopmentM402
• Managing Organisational ChangeM406
• Privatisation and Public Private PartenershipsM411
• Project AppraisalM475
• Project, Programme and Policy EvaluationM479
• Public Financial Management: Audit and ComplianceM472
• Public Financial Management: Planning and PerformanceM401
• Public Financial Management: RevenueM405
• Public Policy and Management: Development AssistanceM460
• Public Policy and Management: Perspectives and IssuesM400
• Public Policy and StrategyM412
• Regulation of Infrastructure and Utilities †M480
• Research MethodsM453
• The IMF and Economic PolicyM413

† This module will run for the last time in 2020/21.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this programme you will be well prepared for high positions in national and sub-national government sectors, international organisations, regional development and aid agencies, and NGOs.

Study schedule

This programme takes a minimum of two years to complete. Each module lasts 10 weeks. You are registered for a maximum of five years.

Study calendar 2020/21

Entry requirements

Education and experience

You should have a recognised UK Bachelor's degree, or international equivalent, in a social science discipline. Qualifications in other subjects will be assessed on their merits. Your application may be considered if you have previous education and experience, equivalent to a degree-level qualification, which includes suitable preliminary training.

Language requirements

For all of our modules you are required to have a high level of English language ability in reading and writing and in study skills.

If your first degree was not taught in English, you will need to provide evidence of language ability. You will meet the English language requirement if you have passed any of the following within the past three years:

• (IELTS) International English Language Testing System (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0 or above, including a minimum of 7.0 on the written sub-test
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) with an overall score of 67 or above, including a minimum of 67 attained on each of the reading, writing, speaking and listening elements
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English with an overall score of 185 or above, including a minimum of 185 attained on each of the reading, writing, speaking and listening sub-tests
• (TOEFL) iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language with an overall score of 95 or above, including a minimum of 24 attained on the reading and writing skills sub-tests and a minimum of 25 attained on the speaking sub-test and 22 attained on the listening sub-test.

You are required to have internet access to participate in this programme.

What next?

To make an application, or to find out more about fees and our admissions procedure, please visit the Apply section of this website.