Program Overview
The Public Policy at The University of Edinburgh is a Master programme in Humanities over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Public Policy programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Tuition: GBP 19,700 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 19,700 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Public Policy programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
- [\'Advanced Issues in Social Policy (SCPL11018)\', \'Advanced Theory in Science and Technology Studies (PGSP11371)\', \'Africa and International Politics (PGSP11151)\', \'Analysing Qualitative Data (PGSP11110)\', \'Armed Force and Society (PGSP11245)\', \'Controversies in Science and Technology (PGSP11370)\', "Critical Perspectives on mental health and well-being in the \'global south\' (PGSP11377)", \'Energy Policy and Politics (20 credits) (PGSP11132)\', \'Engagement for Public Policy Practitioners\', \'European Union in International Affairs, The (PGSP11061)\', \'Evaluation Research Methods (PGSP11373)\', \'Foreign Policy Analysis (PGSP11300)\', \'Global Environment and Society (PGSP11359)\', \'Governance, Development and Poverty in Africa (PGSP11327)\', \'Health and Human Rights: Principles, Practice and Dilemmas (SCPL11019)\', \'Health Systems: Strengthening and Reform (PGSP11364)\', \'Innovation in Sustainable Food Systems (PGSP11400)\', \'Intermediate Inferential Statistics (PGSP11321)\', \'International Political Economy (PGSP11171)\', \'International Security (PGSP11162)\', \'Interpreting Development: Institutions and Practices (PGSP11296)\', \'Key Skills in Development Practice (PGSP11348)\', \'Political Issues in Public Policy (PGSP11247)\', \'Regulation and Governance of the Life Sciences (PGSP11396)\', \'Security Governance\', \'Scotland, Social Structure and Social Change (PGSP11257)\', \'Social Determinants of Health and Public Policy (IPHP11002)\', \'Social Inequality and Social Protection (PGSP11258)\', \'Survey Methods and Data (PGSP11157)\', \'The use and evolution of digital data analysis and collection tools (PGSP11388)\', \'Urban Development (PGSP11368)\']
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
You need the following GPA score:
Applicants for graduate programs must have the equivalent of a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree with a minimum GPA equivalent to 3.25 on a US 4.0 grading scale. Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of or better on a 4.0 scale. No exam grade should be lower than 4.5 (European grade scale) or D (American grade scale).
Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated using the grades that you received in each course, and is determined by the points assigned to each grade (e.g. for the US grading scale from A-F).
Applicants must:
- Possess a minimum of an Upper Second Class (2:1) honours degree, U.S. GPA of 3.25, or equivalent;
- Provide an official transcript and certificate (if the degree has been awarded);
- Tell us, in a personal statement uploaded with their application, about their motivation for pursuing a public policy degree and any relevant experience that they have;
- Where applicable, provide an English proficiency certificate (details of the standards are below).
References are not required upon initial application but they may be requested at a later stage in the process.
English language requirements
URGENT SELT UPDATE
The UK Home Office has announced changes to the Secure English Language tests it will accept for students who require Tier 4 visas.
The arrangement that the Home Office had with Educational Testing Service (ETS) to provide Secure English Language Testing (SELT) ended on 5 April 2014.
As a result TOEFL tests are no longer accepted as evidence of English language ability from *new* applicants. If you wish to make an application you should read the below list of accepted providers and take a test with an alternative provider.
This SELT information was updated on 21 April 2014. For further details, see the Home Office guidance on Educational Testing Services.
- IELTS total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module);
- Pearson Test of English total 67 (at least 61 in each \'Communicative Skills\' section);
- CPE grade B;
- CAE grade A.
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 19,700 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 19,700 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 19,700 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 19,700 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
IELTS requirement: 7
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact The University of Edinburgh directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
University of Edinburgh (Universitas Academica Edinburgensis) is a historic and globally respected public research university in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, founded in 1583, making it one of the...
University Profile- Application Deadline 15 December 2025
- Start Date 15 December 2025
- Language English
- Duration 12 months