Public Policy in a European Context

Programme outline and modules

In addition to the masters in Public Policy and Social Change, we have also teamed up with our colleagues in Politics and International Relations to develop a masters programme in Public Policy in a European Context. Of particular importance is the growth of the EU and its embedding in UK public policy and the EU as a policy actor at the international level. In such a context public sector employers are likely to desire potential employees with knowledge of EU decision making arenas and policy practices. With the new Aston Centre for Europe (ACE), students will have access to faculty with wide ranging expertise on the European Union and a lively programme of external speakers. Through the Erasmus programme, you will also have the opportunity to do a short work placement in a range of relevant organizations in EU member states.

Learning, teaching and assessment

• The programme is delivered using a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars

• There is a mix of individual and group work

• You will be assessed through examinations, continuous assessment through coursework, and a dissertation.

Career opportunities

This degree gives you generic skills that are attractive to employers in the private, public and voluntary sector.

Personal development

This course helps you to develop team working skills, presentation and communication skills, as well as research and report writing skills. Your IT skills will also benefit from use of our newly refurbished IT Facilities.

Duration of programme: Full-time: 12 months, part-time: up to five years

Requirements

Entry Requirements

• Normally, at least a 2.1 honours classification in a degree taken in an appropriate subject at a British or Irish university (including business studies), or an equivalent qualification on the completion of appropriate tertiary-level studies elsewhere.

International students whose native language is not English and have not completed a full degree programme taught in English, will also need to obtain:

• An overall IELTS score of 7 with a minimum of Band 7 in Speaking and Writing and Band 6.5 in Reading and Listening, or

• TOEFL score of 620 paper-based test (with TWE of 5.0), 260 computer-based test (with TWE of 5.0) or 105 internet-based test with a minimum of 25 in Writing and Speaking and 23 in Reading and Writing.