Masters applications for 2025 entry are now closed.
Applications for September 2026 will open on Wednesday 24 September. Applications are now open for programmes with a January 2026 start. View our programmes »
Overview
- Build real-world policy expertise: Develop the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed to understand how public policy is created, implemented, and evaluated. Learn to assess costs and benefits, address ethical challenges, and analyse the real impact of policy decisions.
- Learn from experience: Benefit from teaching shaped by public policy professionals and real-world projects, including the creation of policy briefings and the design and delivery of policy plans.
- Gain strong analytical and research skills: Master both qualitative and quantitative research methods — essential tools for understanding complex policy processes and evaluating outcomes effectively.
- Shape your study around your goals: Choose specialist policy areas that match your academic interests or career ambitions.
- Prepare for a global career: Graduate with highly transferable skills valued across many sectors, including national and local government, think tanks, consultancy firms, international organisations, charities, and the private sector.
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
Top 100 in the world for Politics
Top 75 in the world for Public Administration
Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
Top 100 in the world for Politics
Top 75 in the world for Public Administration
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). We welcome students from any academic background.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
You will explore a range of disciplines, including political science, sociology, economics, law, public management, criminology, development and conflict and security studies. Topics include the ‘public’ aspect of the policy process (focusing on public ownership, funding and regulation) and the policy cycle approach (development, formulation, implementation and analysis/evaluation).
We will introduce you to a range of key concepts such as the theory of markets, failures, externalities and public goods. To support you in this, you will learn qualitative and quantitative research methods providing you with the tools necessary to understand processes, to analyse important policy issues and assess policy outcomes.
The dissertation provides an opportunity to develop your academic skills and complete extended research in your chosen policy area. You’ll also choose from an array of optional modules from across the social sciences enabling you to tailor your programme according to your academic and career interests.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..
Teaching and research
Teaching is research-led, ensuring that what you learn will be cutting edge and at the heart of contemporary public policy methods and debate. Teaching methods typically include:
- Academic seminars
- Presentations, simulations and class discussions
- Small group work
- Guided reading and teacher supported analysis and reflection
- Digitally enhanced learning support including electronic resources and interactive learning tools
Teaching applies learning to real-world challenges and operating in a complex problem space. You will have the opportunity to practice how your learning is engaged within wider social, economic, and policy debates. Its strengths include Politics expertise in both environmental policy and behavioural public policy and administration research, and citizens, the state and technology.
Assessments
Assessments will extend beyond well-established essays to include the creation of policy briefings, preparation and delivery of policy plans and reflective learning logs – opportunities will be given for the creative use of qualitative and quantitative data content in reflective blogs as appropriate to the issues addressed. The dissertation will allow you to focus on specific interests from your research or employment-oriented interests.
Research informed teaching
You will benefit from the latest research conducted by world-leading scholars through our research-led teaching. Relevant activities and events include those run by the Exeter Public Policy Group, the Policy@Exeter initiative, Centre for Elections, Media and Parties, Centre for Political Thought, Centre for Advanced International Studies, Centre for European Governance, the Security and Strategy Institute and the Exeter Q-Step Centre.
Research
Students can take advantage of our seminar series and its long-running and highly successful annual postgraduate conference which brings together researchers from across all humanities and social sciences disciplines.
Our research is funded by leading research councils and is used by governments and networks around the world.
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Professor Oliver James
Programme Director
Professor Duncan Russel
Professor in Environmental Policy
Professor Oliver James
Programme Director
Oliver works on the politics of public services, citizen-provider relationships, public sector organisation and reform, executive politics (particularly politician-administrator relations) and regulation of publicly owned and/or funded bodies and services. He uses a range of methods including survey and field experiments.
As well as his primary interest in academic research and teaching, he works with public sector organisations in the UK and elsewhere, and has acted as a consultant to bodies including the World Bank, OECD, UK Treasury, UK National Audit Office and UK Audit Commission.
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Professor Duncan Russel
Professor in Environmental Policy
Duncan Russel is a Professor in Environmental Policy. His research and teaching interests include UK and European climate, climate and public policy, policy appraisal and coordination, evidence and policy interactions and budgetary politics.
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Careers
Employer valued skills
- Solid knowledge and understanding of public policy at national and international levels, and understanding of how social, political and economic contexts affect public policies
- Argument development and debate
- Empirical research and analysis
- Ability to examine data and theories using a multi-disciplinary social science approach grounded in public policy
- Effective communication and presentation
- Time management and working to deadlines
Career paths
The career paths for MSc Public Policy graduates are well established with good employability prospects including in the UK and internationally, for example:
- Civil servants in central government or local government professionals, workers in think tanks, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and consultancies
- Policy officers and researchers for Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission
- Other public and private sector organisations in a range of sectors, for example, Universities UK, Transport for London, the Legal Services Commission, Accenture, Overseas Development Institute, United Nations Development Programme, Deloitte and Touche, Serco, KPMG, Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Government, the Legatum Institute
- Further research study at Exeter or other research-intensive universities
Employment and professional development
Our excellent Career Zone provides invaluable support, advice and access to graduate employers. Visit the website for more information, including podcasts and profiles, about the range of support available.
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Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences
