Overview
Our Masters in Public Policy (MPP) teaches you how to analyse, develop and implement policies to solve societal issues. These can include climate change, public health, economic development, education, social justice, crime and safety, and government transparency.
Public policy professionals play a vital role in shaping the direction of society. Employment in the public sector reached a record high of 6.14 million in December 2024. This reflects the growing demand for skilled individuals (Office for National Statistics March 2025).
Tailor the MPP to your interests
This Public Policy Masters degree is very flexible. You can customise it to your interests. It includes core modules on policy theory, analysis and practice. You can take optional modules in areas such as:
- Social Research
- Law
- Economics
- Behavioural Science
- Strategic Communications
- International Politics
You can also use this Masters degree in Public Policy as a pathway to pursue research to PhD level.
Gain practical public policy research experience
As part of your dissertation, you can choose to do a placement with a relevant organisation. This lets you focus your research on a policymaker or policy-influencer audience.
Previous students have completed placement work with non-governmental organisations such as the WWF and public bodies for land reform.
Build your professional network
We regularly welcome policy actors to provide guest seminars such as to explain how EU and UK government works in theory and practice.
Our staff have a wide range of connections with organisations in the public, private and third sectors. These can be used to pursue your placement-based coursework and build your own personal networks.
Comprehensive employability and skills programme
Our employability and skills programme to helps you to develop the attributes that employers look for. In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities we have a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer. The University of Stirling’s Careers Service works in partnership with academic staff to ensure you are ready for the employment market.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- demonstrate the skills required for a career in the public sector, or in vocations that make a contribution to the development or delivery of public policy;
- demonstrate the necessary intellectual and practical skills to analyse policy and policymaking;
- demonstrate an awareness of the politics of the policy process;
- apply a range of research skills –including theory-informed policy analysis -that enhance further study and employability;
- engage with debates from a wide variety of different disciplines;
- apply your knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
Professor Cairney has written two books and three collections of introductory blog posts to underpin the two core modules. These resources describe the state-of-the-art research on policy analysis and policy process research, and are updated regularly. Read the blog collections:
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in applying for the course, please contact Professor Paul Cairney in the first instance - p.a.cairney@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Modules
Teaching
Each of the core modules on this course are delivered through weekly seminars on campus (with the option of online/hybrid attendance).
The first semester core module ‘The Politics of Policy Analysis’ includes a two-hour seminar each week. The second semester core module ‘Policymaking: Theories and Approaches’ includes a four-hour seminar each week – which combines weekly political science theory discussions with weekly guest seminars from practitioners and other policy-relevant disciplines.
Many applied social research modules are delivered through a series of half-day, one-day or three-day blocks. The majority of policy-relevant options follow the same format as your core modules - weekly seminars and one piece of coursework.
The applied social research component of your course is provided by the Faculty of Social Sciences, which is an ESRC-recognised postgraduate research training centre.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a wide range of various coursework as part of your taught modules. That coursework includes blog posts, policy analysis, essays on practical lessons from policy theory, and the research dissertation.
There are no exams.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
MPP graduates can pursue careers in:
- Government and Civil Service: Roles such as Policy Officer, Civil Service Fast Streamer, or Public Affairs Consultant.
- Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): Positions like Program Manager or Advocacy Specialist.
- International Organisations: Opportunities with entities like the United Nations or World Health Organisation.
- Private Sector: Roles in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Public Affairs within major corporations.
- Think Tanks and Charities: Research and advocacy roles focused on influencing policies in favour of specific causes.
Public policy professionals in the UK can earn competitive salaries:
- Policy Assistant or Officer: £23,000–£30,000 annually.
- Civil Service Fast Stream Graduate: £31,186 annually. Potential earnings of £45,000–£55,000 after program completion.
- Senior Policy Advisor: £32,000–£40,000 annually, rising to £40,000–£50,000 or more for policy managers.
- Head of Policy: Salaries can exceed £60,000 annually.
Source: Prospects November 2024
Our MPP degree graduates have gone into work for UK, Scottish, and local government, government information services and third sector organisations. Some have formed their own research consultancy.
Roles graduates hold include:
- Health and Social Care Policy Officer
- Chief Executive Officer
- Policy Officer
- Policy Adviser
- Policy Assistant
- Cost Assurance and Risk Manager
- Partnership Development Manager
Organisations MPP graduates work for include:
- COSLA
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- CVS Falkirk & District
- The Alliance
- PKAVS, improving wellbeing, empowering communities
/filters:format(webp)/filters:no_upscale()/prod01/cdn/media/stirling/testimonials/student-testimonials/images/Billi-Allen-Mandeville-600X600.jpg)
/filters:format(webp)/filters:no_upscale()/prod01/cdn/media/stirling/testimonials/graduate-stories/images/cath-hood.jpg)