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Programme structure: Public Policy Analysis (MSc) (Online) - what's running in 2023/24

    This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

  • Year 1 (2023/24)

This programme is Suspended for 23/24

All mandatory units in this year of study are must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Dissertation (MSc in Public Policy Analysis) SPOLM0067 60 Mandatory TB-4
Governance, Institutions and the Global Political Economy (PPA) SPOLM0070 20 Mandatory TB-1
Power, Politics and the Policy Process (PPA) SPOLM0065 20 Mandatory TB-1
Informing and Evaluating Policy - Research Methods and Analysis (PPA) SPOLM0064 20 Mandatory TB-1
The Economics of Public Policy (PPA) SPOLM0069 20 Mandatory TB-2
Public Management and Organisations (PPA) SPOLM0068 20 Mandatory TB-2
Policy Analysis (PPA) Not available in this year SPOLM0073 20 Mandatory
MSc Public Policy   180    

Progression/award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 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.

Degree classifications:

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.

Diploma/certificate stages:

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 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.

Additional progress information

For the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Public Policy Analysis students should pass at least 60/120 credit points respectively

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