MSc PUBLIC POLICY
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International student comments
We asked some of our past international students to tell us why they chose to study for their Masters in Public Policy at Bristol.
Vincent Caron (Canada)
Understanding how government works and in what ways it can change our lives is a challenging task. After two years working on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for various cabinet ministers, I had the feeling that I still had much to learn about these complex machines that run much (sometimes too much) of our lives. More than I could have hoped for, my time completing the Masters in Public Policy course has allowed me to gain a much needed perspective on the theories and process of public policy.
It has allowed me to study in great depth the rich policy history of the UK, which has considerable resonance in countries like Canada that share its Westminster political system. However, it has been the focus on a wide range of international perspectives that has been the most gratifying. Thanks to the structure of classes which allowed much room for discussion amongst peers from across the world, I had a unique opportunity to gain a wider and better vision of the world.
Having used this year to productively reflect on dynamics that I experienced in government in Canada, I now envision my professional future with much more confidence. To be able to change things in a complex world, one must understand where the policy levers are and what they impact upon. To do so often requires reflexive thought about one’s own working practices and this is what the Public Policy program has allowed me to do.
Yingjun Yuan (China)
I chose the University of Bristol because it is a well-known university located in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Also, the campus is close enough to the city centre so you always have something to do in your free time. One of the most important factors is that the Masters in Public Policy programme consists of units tailored to my interests. These units have taught me theories of the policy process as well as practical research skills which will benefit me in my future career.
The learning process at Bristol is a dynamic one. All the teaching staff are enthusiastic about their specialist subject. One of the most impressive things is at the end of each term there is an opportunity to have a face-to-face meeting with tutors to discuss essays and student progress. After discussing my essay plans with the tutor I was more confident in my writing and understood where I needed to improve. I also really enjoy studying with a culturally diverse group of students with whom I can exchange views on policy issues. Lectures are not simply traditional one-way learning experiences but become interactive discussions. The time I have spent on the Masters in Public Policy programme has offered me a truly valuable insight into the policy field and has broadened my understanding of public affairs within a global context. I would strongly recommend to anyone thinking about studying Public Policy to come to Bristol.
Vito Spinelli (Italy)
I chose to study at the University of Bristol for many different reasons. First, I wanted to study public policy and my teachers in Italy advised me to pursue my studies in England because it has a good reputation for social science research. Having little information about universities in England, I decided to take a look at the Research Assessment Exercise. This is an evaluation of research quality classified by department across British universities. Bristol is one of the top ranking universities and I thought this would be a good indicator for the quality of my degree. I also analysed the School for Policy Studies website and all the sources I could gather, not only through the Internet, but also through former students. They presented an image of an internationally-oriented university, with students from all over the world. Bristol is a very lively city and it has a lot to offer.
The course is very interesting and it has a ‘hands on’ approach. I appreciate the class debates and the interactive teaching. Students from different countries and backgrounds bring different perspectives to the table and they challenge every ethnocentric or discipline-bound bias. I also enjoyed the possibility to pursue my own interests within the taught subjects. In particular, I liked the evaluation based on essays rather than on exams, as they enable the students to process what they have learned in a personal way and to elaborate on their own views.
I believe my new qualification will put a positive spin on my career. I decided to apply for this course because I wanted to work in one of the many network organisations that bring together regional governments for cooperation and exchange of best practices in Italy. This dimension is particularly relevant in the European Union, especially when it comes to policies toward sustainable development, where local governments have an important role to play. Indeed, the course dealt with the policy process both at the local and the international level, therefore covering all aspects of the governance process. In addition, the choice of electives provided me with the opportunity to tailor my degree to my particular interests and career goals.
Helen Okeke (Nigeria)
I chose the University of Bristol because of its very good reputation and excellent mix of subjects relevant to my choice of specialisation. The School for Policy Studies has a dynamic tradition that is enriched by the diverse culture and background of the students. The most interesting part of the course is the interactive style of teaching. Everyone has the opportunity to learn from the experienced tutors but also from students from different continents and diverse cultures. This has immensely enhanced the quality of the programme.
For me the experience has been learning about the theories behind the job I have been doing for the past three and half years in Nigeria. However, being in the class and learning especially from other students has broadened my views on the challenges of governance both in developed and developing countries. My qualification will definitely impact on my contribution to the reform agenda of the international financial institutions in developing countries and the Nigerian government.