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    MA
    2025 start September 

    Politics, Governance and Public Policy

    Department of Politics and International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences

    How do policymakers actually make policy? What are the effects on governance, and how do governing systems in turn shape policymaking? This course helps you answer these questions at every level of governance where political authority is exercised, from the very smallest local authority to large international organisations. It balances state-of-the-art academic theory with real-world practice to prepare you for working in the world of policymaking.
    Felicity Matthews is in the foreground of the image, speaking to a group of students sat at desks with laptops.

    Course description

    On this course you'll explore the complexity of contemporary governance. You will examine its effects on the policymaking process, the multiplicity of actors involved in it, the powers they have to affect it and the constraints under which they operate.

    You'll be guided by expert academic staff who specialise in governance and public policy. Together, you will address the following questions:

    • What can different kinds of policymakers, operating in different governing contexts, actually achieve?
    • How does global development policy designed at the UN or the World Bank influence on-the-ground practice in recipient countries? 
    • Why are more and more public governance functions taken on by private actors, and who wins and loses from this process? 
    • Where should governing authority for particular policies be located between the sub-national, national and international level? 
    • What theories and concepts can we utilise to help us better understand these processes?

    This degree attracts a hugely diverse student body. Some students may have already studied politics and public policy previously and want to further their knowledge. Others have come from other social science backgrounds and wish to specialise, while bringing knowledge and theory from an alternate academic perspective.

    We also welcome students with no academic experience in the subject, who might have experience working in a diverse array of sectors such as the military, petrochemicals or financial risk compliance, and wish to further their knowledge of how and why the public policy process functions in the way that it does.

    If this sounds like you, and you’re fascinated by the questions of how policy is governed and what policymakers can achieve, then this is the degree for you.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Analysing the Policy Process

    The term 'governance' has become widely used in debates in Political Science, Public Policy and International Relations - often to mean very different things. In this module, students are introduced to its nature, meaning and significance. Governance's central concern is with how societies are being, and can be, steered in an increasingly complex world where states must interact with and influence other actors and institutions to achieve results. The course encourages students to understand the impact of governance and political forces such as - globalisation, europeanisation, neo-liberals reform etc - on both political power and the identity of the nation-state.

    30 credits
    Understanding Politics

    The module's purposes are to introduce students to the dominant analytical and methodological traditions in politics (broadly understood as 'positivism' and 'interpretivism') and the different ontological, epistemological, and methodological implications of each tradition for the study of politics. The module will require students to consider explicitly their approach to the study of politics, and understand both the strengths and weaknesses of their individual understanding. The module requires students to be able to articulate coherently their understanding of what politics is and what they consider to be the most appropriate way of studying and researching politics and present reasoned arguments for their choices. As such this module is an essential precursor to their specific programme and to the dissertation.

    15 credits
    Research and Dissertation Preparation

    This module is designed to prepare the student for writing their dissertation. This module serves to introduce the student to the nature of the research process and encourage the student to focus on developing their research question and methodology that underpin the full dissertation. The module also aims to develop the students' research retrieval skills and to undertake a literature search to underpin the full dissertation. The module also discusses the nature of the supervision process.

    15 credits
    Politics Dissertation

    Students must complete a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice relating to an aspect of their studies in their taught MA programme (International Politics, Politics and Governance, Global Political Economy programmes) under the direction of an academic supervisor. The dissertation gives the student the opportunity to explore an area of interest in depth. To achieve a master standard the student is required to demonstrate and up-to-date critical understanding of the topic, as well as undertake advanced political analysis of the dissertation's subject matter.

    60 credits

    Optional modules:

    Democratic Governance in the 21st Century: Problems, Innovations and Solutions

    Political systems around the world strive to be democratic, but what is meant by democracy and how this can be achieved? This module considers the nature of the democratic crisis faced by countries around the world and maps the latest innovations designed to address this challenge. Students will study tensions between new and old democratic arenas and consider the indicators of a thriving democracy. The module is grounded in the tradition of engaged scholarship and uses real world examples and solution focused analysis. Students will develop keen professional and research skills by studying the theory and practice of democratic innovation.

    30 credits
    Policy-Making in the Real World

    Policy making is an increasingly complex process, involving a range of 'wicked problems' and a growing set of options for addressing them. Given the multiple risks and crises they must deal with, how can policy makers come up with effective policy, learn from mistakes and deal with unexpected events? What tools can they employ to do so and how can we evaluate their success or failure? This unit will provide a theoretically informed, but practice-focused approach to these questions. Students will gain a range of practical skills through innovative group projects and visiting speakers from the policy world.

    30 credits
    Wellbeing in Politics and Policy

    There has been a dramatic rise in political interest in wellbeing over the past decade. Politicians and policy-makers in a range of contexts - national and international - have moved towards embracing wellbeing as a more comprehensive, inclusive and appropriate goal of public policy than the traditionally narrow focus on indicators of economic prosperity. This has led to the development of wellbeing frameworks that embrace indicators of subjective wellbeing (e.g., happiness), environmental and social concerns alongside economic indicators. For some these developments have the potential to transform aspects of politics and policy in the long term. This module explores conceptual, empirical and policy-related aspects of wellbeing. It examines competing definitions, understandings and measurements of wellbeing and related concepts such as quality of life and happiness. It aims to give students a clear understanding of how and why wellbeing has risen up political agendas, the significance of developments in policy to date and the potential for wellbeing as a political idea and guide to policy.

    30 credits
    Political Economy of Global Environmental change

    The aim of this course is to introduce students to the major debates in the political economy of the environment. It will examine central debates around climate change, the Anthropocene, the commons, the green economy, biodiversity loss, population, sustainability and environment induced conflict. These debates will be examined by analysing the different approaches to tackling global environmental change. Therefore, the course will explore the debates about the political economy of global environmental change at various scales including international, regional, national and local scales, and as well as managing the commons and how individuals might engage in forms of environmental self regulation/self- limiting behaviours. The course will also make use of specific case studies to illuminate the wider conceptual debates.

    30 credits
    Contemporary Global Security

    This module examines responses at state, regional and international level to key security challenges. It focuses primarily on the post-Cold War setting, the types of security challenges that have developed and the responses to them at state, regional and international level. It analyses the role played by international organisations and develops case analyses of key international security crises that represent or reflect important dimensions of contemporary global security. These could include, for example, the crisis in ex-Yugoslavia, the Rwandan crisis, the first and second Gulf wars and the conflict in Afghanistan. Attention will also be directed to the role and development of key international security organisations, particularly the United Nations.

    30 credits
    Global Health and Global Politics

    Situated within contemporary approaches to International Relations and International Political Economy, this module will introduce students to the global politics of health, addressing health as both a global issue, and also as a quintessentially political one. The module will: chart the recent rise of health as an issue of 'high politics'; examine the relationship between individual and population health and the global political economy; explore the ways in which and institutions by which health is governed at the global level; analyse some of the key contemporary issues and challenges in contemporary global health governance.

    30 credits
    Terrorism and Political Violence

    This module produces a critical take on security and violence, combining Sociological and International Relations approaches, and applying them to cases ranging from the 'macro-level' (war, including guerrilla warfare/insurgency; genocide and most especially terrorism) through to 'micro-level' sites usually considered 'private' or 'intimate' ('domestic' violence, white supremacist bombing of historical Black churches, etc).

    30 credits
    Capitalism and Crisis

    This module explores the relationship between capitalism and crisis through the prism of the causes of and fallout from the 2008 crash. Part 1 introduces and unpacks the core concepts of the module - capitalism, crisis - and presents a brief historical overview of pre-2008 economic crises in order to provide some necessary context and comparison points. Part 2 surveys competing explanations of the 2008 crisis, by starting narrow (i.e. regulation of banking) and then broadening out (i.e. evolution of capitalism). Part 3 examines the fallout from the 2008 crisis, including the extent to which the crisis was truly global and the variety of political responses to the crash.

    30 credits
    Development and the State

    This module will explore and critically assess the political economy of development. It does so by focusing on the interplay between processes of economic transformation and the political strategies pursued by states in the name of national development. The module is interdisciplinary, drawing on development studies, the political economy of growth and transformation, and comparative capitalisms. Part one reviews the most salient theoretical themes in approaches to capitalist development. This will put students in a position to understand more specific theorisations of capitalist development as a state strategy in a world characterised by uneven and combined capitalist development. Part two focuses more specifically on the state. This section will bring the more generic issues reviewed in Part One into a focused 'developmental' framing. Part three will open up to more ambitious evaluative work in which normative questions are asked and the prospects for capitalist development are contested.

    30 credits
    Freedom

    Freedom is one of the most important political values, if not the most important one of all. This module investigates the political value of freedom via an engagement with the literature in contemporary political theory. To do so it focuses on: competing theories of freedom (negative, positive, republican); the relationship between freedom and other values (autonomy, equality, security); and a number of applied issues (the harm principle, freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of movement). The approach is theoretical and philosophical with the overall aim being to equip students to analyse and evaluate political arguments which invoke the value of freedom.

    30 credits
    The Governance and Politics of the European Union

    This module examines the history and development of the European Union, together with the institutions and decision-making processes of the community. It examines various theoretical perspectives on the process of European integration, evaluates selected policy sectors, particularly those sectors which are relevant for understanding the political economy of European integration such as the internal market and monetary union.

    30 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    • 1 year full-time
    • 2 years part-time

    Teaching

    You will be taught by experts working at the very cutting-edge of the field, who will bring their novel and important insights to bear on classroom discussion.

    The real-world puzzles and problems that you deal with in class are the same problems that real-world policymakers are grappling with themselves. 

    The majority of this course will be taught through seminars. Seminars offer an engaging and dynamic learning experience, where you are encouraged to investigate an issue from multiple perspectives and then develop arguments for which there is no 'correct' answer, just different answers with different implications.

    You'lll then debate these answers with your fellow students and academic tutors, as well as invited guest expert policymakers, to develop your own perspectives on crucial issues of public policy and governance that are grounded in solid evidence and reasoning.

    Assessment

    You will be assessed through a variety of assignments, typically including essays and portfolios, and final module exams where applicable.

    You will also complete a dissertation based on a topic of your choice, which enables you to put all of the skills and knowledge you've gained throughout your degree into practice. You will undertake research-led inquiry on your chosen topic, and a dedicated dissertation supervisor will support you, offering you one-to-one guidance throughout the dissertation process.

    Your career

    Politics postgraduate students go on to work in a variety of exciting roles across the globe.

    The MA Politics, Governance and Public Policy degree will prepare you especially well for working in policy-focused roles in local and national government, third sector organisations, global governance bodies and the private sector. The world of public policy is complex, as are the range of careers that expertise on the subject lends itself to.

    You'll develop a host of transferable skills that will appeal to a range of employers. Recent graduates have secured employment with:

    • Bank of England
    • Home Office
    • International Development Research Network
    • British Red Cross
    • Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy
    • WPP plc
    • Ministry of Justice
    • Chulalongkorn University

    Department

    Department of Politics and International Relations

    A view of the Faculty of Social Sciences building, the Wave, from the outside. A tall building with large glass windows.

    We're proud to be one of the UK's leading departments for politics and international relations.

    We are a research-intensive department, and research lies at the heart of everything we do. The quality of our research environment is rated top nationally, which means that our department is a vibrant, progressive and supportive place to undertake your research.

    We offer an inclusive and collegial culture. You'll work closely with leading academic experts whose research is making a significant and global impression, and with students from across the world who share your commitment to the subject.

    Everyone is encouraged to work together, hold lively debates and benefit from each other's different perspectives and backgrounds. When you join us, we will ensure that you have many opportunities to immerse yourself in all aspects of academic life in the department. 

    Our postgraduate degrees are distinct and reflect our core strengths. Our staff have a wide range of research interests and expertise, which are brought together around four research themes:

    • International politics
    • Political economy
    • Environmental politics
    • Political theory
    • Governance and public policy

    Our community of researchers is diverse and draws upon a wide range of methodologies and approaches to the discipline.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

    Subject requirements

    We accept degrees in the following subject areas: 

    • Anthropology
    • Classics
    • Data Science
    • Development Studies
    • Economics
    • Environmental Science
    • Gender and Race Studies
    • Government
    • History
    • Human Geography
    • Informational Sciences
    • International Relations
    • Journalism
    • Law
    • Modern Languages and Literatures
    • Philosophy
    • Political Science
    • Politics
    • Public Administration
    • Public Policy
    • Research Methods
    • Social Policy
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
    • Sustainability

    We may consider other Arts and Humanities or Social Science subjects.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

    Pathway programme for international students

    If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    The school running this course will change its name before September 2025. On the online application form, please select Faculty of Social Sciences and School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations when applying for this course.

    Apply now

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.