University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School for Policy Studies > Public Policy (MSc) > Specification
Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
Programme code | 9SPOL026T |
---|---|
Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Patricia Kennett
|
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student's interest in and knowledge of public policy from an international perspective. It considers the global political economic context of public policy, the range of institutional actors and models of public policy-making. It gives students a grounding in the techniques for appraising policy outcomes as well as methods and evaluation of research evidence that informs public policy. It gives students the opportunity to develop this generic understanding from a choice of policy areas all with an international perspective including health and health care in a global context, gender and public policy; gender violence; migration, asylum and human rights in the EU; poverty, inequality and social exclusion; penal policy: issues and influences; cities, housing and public policy. It aims to develop students' knowledge of comparative issues in public policy (and policy research). The scope is international but with particular reference to Europe and East Asia.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Tutor-led seminar discussions, whole class and small-group exercises on policy case studies (involving team work). Independent learning is achieved through written assignments and the dissertation |
Methods of Assessment | |
Units are assessed by essay or an equivalent piece of written work. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Oral and written analytical skills and bibliographic skills are developed over the course of the programme. The skills developed are assessed in the credit bearing units. Research design, method, analysis and evaluation are dealt with in the Policy Appraisal and Evaluation and Informing and Evaluating Policy units. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Analysis and reasoning are assessed in the unit written assessments and dissertation. Oral communication is assessed formatively in core units where presentations are required. Evaluating research evidence is assessed in the core unit Informing and Evaluating Policy and in all others as this a key element of assessments on the programme. Self directed research skills are assessed in the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Reading, writing, note taking and bibliographic skills are assessed in the unit assessments. Research management is taught and discussed in the Informing and evaluating policy unit and developed through the dissertation. Dissemination is taught through class exercises and in core assessments. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Core reading, writing, note taking and bibliographic skills are assessed in the terms of the clarity and structure of the unit assessments and the dissertation. Research management is assessed in the unit assessments for Informing and Evaluating Policy, and through the dissertation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students who have successfully completed the post-graduate certificate will gain an understanding of the key generic issues relating to public policy from an international perspective. |
---|---|
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Students who have successfully completed the post-graduate diploma will develop their generic learning from stage 1 in the context of substantive policy areas. They will be expected to gain knowledge of these areas with greater critical abilities based on their prior learning in stage 1. Students choose 3 from a range of elective units: children and international policy; health and health care in a global context; gender and public policy; gender violence; crime and punishment: contemporary issues in penal policy; human settlements and public policy; 'culture', citizenship and public policy; poverty, inequality and social exclusion. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
The dissertation is the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme and s/he applies the appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed to a piece of research supervised by one or more members of staff. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Reception, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Rd, Bristol, BS8 1TZ. Tel: +44 (0)117 954 6755.
Email: sps-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk.
www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/SPS/
All mandatory units in this year of study are must pass. The definition of must pass units can be found in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/annex/glossary.html .
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
For the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Public Policy students should pass at least 60/120 credit points respectively, which must include two of the mandatory units.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000