Centre for Financial and Management Studies

MSc in Public Policy and Management (Distance Learning)

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Key information

Duration
Two to five years
Start of programme
October / January / April / June
Attendance mode
Distance learning
Fees

MSc: £10,920
Single module: £1,820

Course code
OLTF0016
Entry requirements

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. All international applicants must be able to show that their English is of a high enough standard to successfully engage with and complete their course at SOAS. 

See distance learning English requirements

Course overview

Our MSc Public Policy and Management programme will enable you with the conceptual tools and the practical skills to analyse, understand, and play a role in the policy and administrative process.

The modules of the programme will equip students with theoretical knowledge about policy-making, policy implementation, and the management of public sector entities.

A variety of modules will provide students the possibility to deepen their understanding of more specific areas such as, for example, the management of human resources in the public sector, the public financial management process, the decentralisation of public functions and the collaboration between public and private entities.

Along the way, students will develop capabilities to analyse, critically appraise and communicate which will provide valuable assets for their professional activity and career prospects.

The subject area of public policy and management refers to all systems, processes and tools that public authorities employ to fulfil citizens’ expectations and deliver public services.

Whatever the domain of intervention – for example, from healthcare to energy or from poverty to environmental preservation – public authorities make decisions about how to assess the present state of affairs and future tendencies, whether anything should be done about them, and how they can use resources and mechanisms to steer the conduct of individuals, firms and NGOs towards the desired effects.

Why study MSc in Public Policy and Management at SOAS?

  • We are ranked 38th in the UK for Accounting and Finance (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • we are ranked 6th in UK for graduate employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • programmes are delivered by a multicultural and international teaching body, who regularly publish in top international journals
  • you will develop an excellent understanding of key issues shaping international business strategy
  • we are specialists in the delivery of more that forty African and Asian languages. As the economies of the Global South continue to expand, knowledge of another language and other cultures will be a big asset in the world of commerce and international trade
  • you will be joining our community of alumni and academics who have an impact on the outside world of academia

 

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 Governance
  • Dissertation
  • E-Government
  • Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
  • Financial Reporting (IPSAS)
  • Human Resource Management and Development
  • Managing Organisational Change
  • Privatisation and Public Private Partenerships
  • Project Appraisal
  • Project, Programme and Policy Evaluation
  • Public Financial Management: Audit and Compliance
  • Public Financial Management: Planning and Performance
  • Public Financial Management: Revenue
  • Public Policy and Management: Development Assistance
  • Public Policy and Management: Perspectives and Issues
  • Public Policy and Strategy
  • Regulation of Infrastructure and Utilities
  • Research Methods
  • The IMF and Economic Policy

To find out more, including module details, please visit the Centre for Financial and Management Studies website.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Teaching and learning

The MSc Public Policy and Management is made up of six modules. Each module is studied in one for four 10-week sessions. You can only take one module at a time, but each module is typically available in at least two of the year's study sessions. This gives you the flexibility to plan how you study during the year, enabling you to fit your study in with your professional, family and personal commitments.

Online academic tutor

You will be individually assigned an online academic tutor for the duration of each module with whom you can discuss academic queries at regular intervals during the study session. You will also have a named administrator providing you with help and advice throughout your studies.

For each module, students will be provided with access to all necessary materials from a range of appropriate sources.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

To make your experience as a distance learning student more complete and rewarding, we provide access to the Virtual Learning Environment, which is a web-accessed learning environment. Via the VLE, you can communicate with your assigned academic tutor, administrators and other students on the module using discussion forums.

The VLE also provides access to the module Study Guide and assignments, as well as a selection of electronic journals available on the University of London Online Library and the SOAS Library .

Exams

For each module, you will sit a three-hour examination, held on a specified date in September/October (dates are communicated in May/June), and complete two assignments during the module study session. Assignments are submitted and feedback given online. Examinations are weighted 70% and the assignments are weighted 15% each.

Study calendar

You can view the current MSc in Public Policy and Management study calendar on CeFiMS website

Suggested reading

  • Flynn, N. and Asquer, A. (2016), Public Sector Management. London: SAGE
  • Wu, X., Ramesh, M., Howlett, M., and Fritzen, S. A. (2017), The Public Policy Primer: Managing the Policy Process. London: Routledge

Fees and funding

Fees

£10,920

Employment

Graduates from the Centre for Financial and Management Studies (CeFiMS) will leave SOAS with advanced skills in communication, analysis, problem solving, and technical proficiencies required in the finance sector.

Our programmes are respected by employers all over the world, who value graduates’ knowledge and understanding of how the finance sector is tackling the major challenges facing global business.

Recent CeFiMS graduates have been hired by:

  • Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ
  • Citi
  • Deloitte
  • Ernst & Young
  • Euro Monitor International
  • Financial Times
  • HM Treasury
  • Huaxia Bank, China
  • International Rescue Committee
  • Investec
  • JP Morgan, Chase & Co
  • KPMG
  • Nomura
  • Oxfam
  • Publicis Media
  • Santander
  • UBS
  • University of Oxford
  • Western Securities Co. Ltd
  • White & Case LLP
  • World Food Programme

Find out about our Careers Service.

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