Apply Now for Birkbeck's MSc in Government, Policy and Politics
Birkbeck’s flagship MSc in Government, Policy, and Politics has introduced generations of students to the theory and practice of public policy in the UK and elsewhere. Taught in the evening over one year full-time or two years part-time, this postgraduate programme is popular with students who already work in Whitehall, local government and international organisations and those who wish to enter the world of policy-making. In this post, we ask programme director Dr Ben Worthy what students can expect.
What is public policy? Why should we study it?
To govern is to decide, and governments must continually trade-off policy objectives against political realities. Policies in the UK, from the poll tax to Brexit, have profoundly shaped British society for good or ill, and become topics of intense debate and deep division. In 2022, governments across the world are now confronted with profound questions around which policies would work best to combat some of our planet's most pressing problems, from climate change to COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis.
Who is the MSc aimed at?
There is no such thing as a typical Birkbeck student. The programme brings together people of all ages with a range of experiences and interests. Some will have studied politics as undergraduates while others haven’t. Some will have just finished their undergraduate studies while others will be returning to university after many years. The common denominator among our students is a deep desire to learn and a commitment to changing politics for the better. Since our classes are held in the evening, the MSc in Government, Policy and Politics is often taken by those working in central or local government, as well as those in civil society or voluntary organisations, so you will meet people with a broad range of knowledge. Students always say that one of the major strengths of the programme is working with classmates with diverse skills and professional experience.
How does this programme draw on research at Birkbeck?
Teaching at Birkbeck is research-led and those who teach on the programme have expertise on a wide range of public policy issues. I have written on policy-making, looking in particular at transparency and the success or failure of reforms like the Freedom of Information Act. Professor Deborah Mabbett is looking at the relationship between central banks and governments and the comparative political economy of minimum wages (see this piece on the Bank of England losing its mojo). Dr Laura Richards Gray is an expert on the welfare state and is currently examining the role of gender in shaping welfare policy.
Birkbeck academics are also involved in the making of policy itself. Our staff give evidence to select committees and are also involved in influencing broader debates, such as when working with trade unions and activists to develop the idea of a Right To Food.
The Department also hosts the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life which holds regular events with academics and practitioners. Speakers at upcoming events include Birkbeck’s Professor Joni Lovenduski, a pioneer in the study of gender and politics, and Lisa Nandy MP, a graduate of the MSc in Government, Policy, and Politics.
You can watch our recent Annual Lecture with Dr Meryl Kenny on ‘Rethinking Representation: Gender, Power and Politics in the UK’.
What can students expect from this programme?
Our MSc Government, Policy and Politics examines the day-to-day practice and reality of government by analysing post-war politics and public policy. You will develop your ability to analyse political debates and issues critically and you will be taught by academics with expertise in researching, writing about and participating in politics. It also gives you the chance to focus on a subject of interest in your dissertation. We publish the best ones on our blog, looking at how ex-Prime Ministers influence politics or the changing role of the UK's Minister for Women and Equalities since 1997.
The course combines theoretical approaches with empirical knowledge and real-world case studies, and you will explore topics in political theory, political science, and sociology. You will be given the opportunity to debate and engage with the everyday practicalities of politics through class discussions and meetings with experienced practitioners.
The MSc has four core modules, two on modern British Politics and two on the theory and practice of policy-making:
British Politics: Participation, Representation and Deliberation
Theories of Public Policy-Making: Interests, Institutions, and Ideas
Students can choose optional modules from a broad range of subjects, including public management and public sector reform, global governance, international political economy and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
What do Birkbeck Politics students do after graduation?
Birkbeck students go on to a variety of roles in politics and other fields. Our graduates include senior civil servants, MPs, journalists, researchers, and policy-makers working in senior roles in NGOs, international organisations, and academia.
Click here to apply to the MSc in Government, Policy and Politics and watch the video introduction below:
Watch the video below