Comparative Public Policy MSc

The MSc in Comparative Public Policy programme can be studied full-time in one year or part-time over two years.

Our curriculum has the following three essential components, which provide a framework for your learning:

• two core courses, one in each of semesters 1 and 2
• a set of specialist elective courses
• your dissertation

Teaching is delivered through:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• essays
• assessed coursework

Study options

If you are studying full-time, you will take six taught courses, three in each semester.

Part-time students usually take:

• four courses in their first year
• two courses in their second year

Part-time students can start the dissertation element of the programme as early as April or May of the first year, although there is a degree of flexibility to fit around work or personal commitments.

Dissertation

This dissertation is an independent research-based project with a comparative angle that is unique to your research interests. Your dissertation will focus on a topic of your choosing, and will be supervised by an appropriate member of academic staff.

From May until August, you will complete either a placement-based dissertation or a standard research dissertation.

Placement-based dissertation

The placement-based dissertation option aims to offer you the opportunity to work on your dissertation within the context of a workplace of your choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.

The placement will generally consists of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes:

• NGOs and charities
• social enterprises
• think-tanks
• government bodies

Your placement can be completed either in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. You will have the option to arrange your own placement, subject to university approval.

Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and will be assigned based on competitive applications during Semester 1.

Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option:

• SPS placement-based dissertation

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

This programme aims to:

• provide an introduction to methods and theories of comparative analysis and knowledge of the different forms and purposes of comparison in comparative policy-related research
• provide an understanding of the political, economic and social contexts of policy-making 
• equip you with the skills required to research and analyse policy decisions and outcomes within and between countries in a wide range of policy areas 
• foster an educational setting where students from diverse backgrounds engage in mutually beneficial discussion and debate, learning from a variety of different standpoints and experience
• enable you to develop the knowledge and skills that support attainment of a qualification relevant to social and public policy research and progression to higher level academic study or professional work

This degree is highly relevant to anyone who works or intends to work in policy-relevant professions in the public, private or non-governmental sectors.

It will provide you with a recognised qualification that can lead to an enhanced range of employment opportunities and further study.

Graduates have gone on to work as professionals in:

• the civil service of various national governments
• international agencies
• social research
• NGOs
• local government
• other public and private sector bodies, both locally and internationally

You will develop a range of highly transferable skills, such as communication and project management, which can be applied to roles in any field.

A survey of previous graduates of the MSc in Policy Studies and the MSc in Comparative Public Policy found that, within six months, graduates had gone on to employment in:

• the Scottish Executive
• social research
• a housing association
• local government
• other public and private sector bodies

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, preferably in a social science or other relevant discipline.

Entrance to this programme is competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements. Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee of £50 must be paid after you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.

• Application fee information

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your residency status.

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding