Program Overview
The Policy Studies at The University of Edinburgh is a MSc 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 Policy Studies 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 19,300 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 12,300 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Policy Studies programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
You will complete three taught courses per semester. One of these is compulsory and you will choose the other two from a list of recommended option courses.
Dissertation
After successfully completing the taught modules you will work towards an independently researched dissertation.
You can undertake a standard dissertation or potentially a placement-based dissertation, which can be undertaken in the UK or abroad.
Placement-based dissertation
The aim of the placement-based dissertation is to provide you with the opportunity to work on your dissertation with an external organisation, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.
The projects generally consist of eight weeks of research with a host organisation from our network of contacts, which includes:
- NGOs
- charities
- social enterprises
- think-tanks
- government bodies
Placements can either be in person, hybrid or undertaken remotely. You are also able to source your own placements subject to university approval.
Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and are by competitive application.
Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option on our website:
Compulsory courses
Political Issues in Public Policy (Semester 1)
This course introduces you to theories and concepts used to study and understand the policy-making process and why particular policies are pursued, or not.
Policy in Action (Semester 2)
In this course groups of students work through a portfolio of materials to write a ministerial brief, in consultation with a key practitioner in the field.
Option courses
In each semester you choose two further courses from a list of recommended options, though you may take others offered across the School. While the core courses support your working together as a programme cohort, option courses give you contact with students across topics and disciplines.
Your electives might explore:
- a specific area of policy making, such as education, energy or the labour market
- a specific policy mechanism, such as public engagement
- a specific method of information-gathering and assessment, such as comparison or evaluation
We encourage you to make the programme your own at every stage, and your programme director will help you work out what it is you really want to do.
Find courses for this programme
Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.
The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.
Full-time
We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
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 Upper Second Class on the UK Honour scale. Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of or better on the UK Honour 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).
A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 19,300 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 12,300 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 19,300 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 12,300 (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 2014-07-18
- Start Date 2018-09-01
- Language English
- Duration 12 months