Find out more about studying MA Public Policy at Leeds Beckett University? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
City Campus
Full Time
Jan 2027
1 Year
Gain in-depth understanding of public policy, policymaking and challenges faced by policymakers. You’ll develop a critical awareness of current issues, scholarship and research. As part of this course, you’ll: Develop knowledge of the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of policy making and challenges to it Gain in-depth understanding of public policy informed by current scholarship and research, including a critical awareness of current issues, theories and developments Study the concepts, theories and methods used in the study and practice of public policy Consider issues from a range of disciplinary perspectives Understand the implications of complexity, risk and uncertainty in policymaking Use a range of techniques and research methods and digital literacy skills to access, process and evaluate information Apply your knowledge with originality and creativity Explore how new knowledge is created and synthesised by producing a dissertation.
Consider how projects fit within strategic and programmatic approaches to change, and how they are ethically designed, developed, and funded. This module will introduce you to the essential components of project management, including project cycle, logical frameworks, communication, stakeholder engagement and evaluation. You’ll develop key skills in project management, funding proposals and communication using authentic sources and case studies.
Engage in critical depth with a research-based project aligned to your personal and professional interests.
You’ll develop an understanding of and holistic approaches to policy making through the practical, problem-orientated and multidisciplinary teaching. You’ll work closely with a range of stakeholders from local and national government, the private and third sectors, and academia, to devise responses to a range of actual public policy challenges. Working in small groups, you’ll deploy knowledge of theories of the policy process and of the reality of policy complexity. This will give you a better understanding of the nature of contemporary public administration.
Develop a critical understanding of research as a practice and a product. This module will enable you to gain a critical understanding of the nature of knowledge and offer general training on research approaches, including key theoretical, ethical and practical considerations.
Understand where public policy comes from, with a focus on historical and political antecedents. You’ll gain a detailed understanding of the key theories of the policy process, including the roles of a variety of key actors and institutions. You’ll also develop an understanding of shifting policymaking paradigms in British Politics. In so doing, you’ll better understand why we get the policies we do, and how to influence the future course of public policy.
