Public Affairs MPA - 2020/1
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MPA Public Affairs
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Public Affairs |
| Ord | Public Affairs |
| DipHE | Public Affairs |
| CertHE | Public Affairs |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | ULB17001 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | ULB17001 | 600 credits and 300 ECTS credits |
JACs code
100647
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Politics and International Relations
Other internal and / or external reference points
NA
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Politics
Programme Leader
KITCHEN Nicholas (Politics)
Date of production/revision of spec
29/01/2022
Educational aims of the programme
- To enable students to understand and use a range of concepts, approaches and methods appropriate to politics, and to develop an understanding of their contested nature and of the problematic character of political enquiry.
- To provide students with a foundation of knowledge and understanding of theory and analysis, and to encourage them to apply these issues in contemporary international affairs.
- To develop students¿ capacity to think critically about events, ideas, people and institutions at local, national, regional and international levels.
- To assist students to develop a range of cognitive and social skills relevant to their intellectual, vocational and personal development.
- To give students opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge and understanding to the resolution of real-life problems and so develop their skills in respect of professional as well as academic life.
- To provide a curriculum which encourages breadth and depth of intellectual enquiry and debate, supported by scholarship, a research culture, and staff reflection and development.
- To create a learning environment that is receptive to the needs and views of students and encourages them to achieve their full potential, even while fostering an atmosphere where students as independent learners can take responsibility for their own learning processes.
- To understand and respect issues related to diversity and to employ a range of methods and approaches in relation to diverse needs.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate critical knowledge of key concepts, principles and theoretical approaches associated with the study of politics, international relations and public policy. | K | MPA | |
| In-depth understanding of international structures of governance and their impact on regional, national and local structures. | K | MPA | |
| Apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics, international relations and public policy to the analysis of the political arena, and in so doing demonstrating good knowledge of the workings of political systems at the national and international level. | K | MPA | |
| Detailed knowledge and understanding of contemporary debates within the field of public policy. | K | MPA | |
| Understanding of processes of knowledge creation and contestation within public affairs | K | MPA | |
| Understanding of techniques of research and enquiry and their application to the study of public affairs | K | MPA | |
| Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, principles and theoretical approaches associated with the study of politics, international relations and public policy. | K | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Apply a wide range of concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics, international relations and public policy to the analysis of the political arena, and in so doing demonstrating good knowledge of the workings of political systems at the national and international level. | K | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Evaluate different interpretations of political issues, events and policies for national and international contexts. | K | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Understand the relationship between argument and evidence in the discipline of politics. | K | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate good knowledge of key concepts, principles and theoretical approaches associated with the student of politics, international relations and public policy. | K | DipHE | |
| Apply key concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics, international relations and public policy which apply to the political arena and in so doing demonstrate good knowledge of the workings of political systems at the national and international level. | K | DipHE | |
| Evaluate different interpretations of political issues, events and policies for national and international contexts. | K | DipHE | |
| Understand the relationship between argument and evidence in the discipline of politics. | K | DipHE | |
| Demonstrate a basic knowledge of key concepts, principles and theoretical approaches associated with the student of politics, international relations and public policy. | K | CertHE | |
| Understand concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics, international relations and public policy which apply to the political arena and in so doing demonstrate adequate knowledge of the workings of political systems at the national and international level. | K | CertHE | |
| Evaluate different interpretations of political issues, events and policies for national and international contexts. | K | CertHE | |
| Understand the relationship between argument and evidence in the discipline of politics. | K | CertHE | |
| Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a range of different sources | C | MPA | |
| Analyse and synthesise a wide range of material in verbal and numerical formats | C | MPA | |
| Deal with complex issues systematically and creatively | C | MPA | |
| Make sound judgements on the basis of incomplete evidence | C | MPA | |
| Demonstrate self-direction and originality in solving problems and analysing evidence | C | MPA | |
| Construct reasoned argument | C | MPA | |
| Apply theoretical and analytical frameworks to empirical analysis | C | MPA | |
| Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources. | C | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and commend solutions to specified problems. | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Construct reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement in the articulation and application of evidence/data. | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Reflect on self and peer learning. Seek and apply forward constructive feedback. | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Manage learning processes in a self-critical and appropriately independent fashion. | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Recognise the importance of demonstrating good research skills, especially related to academic integrity and ethics | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Independent attitude to study which requires critical and reflective use of statistics and computer technology for learning purposes. | C | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Application of theory to practice | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a variety of secondary sources | C | CertHE | |
| Make appropriate use of information and communications technology | P | MPA | |
| Carry out an advanced literature search | P | MPA | |
| Organise own workload to meet deadlines | P | MPA | |
| Formulate research questions | P | MPA | |
| Design and conduct a research project, selecting appropriate methods of data collection and analysis | P | MPA | |
| Present research findings orally and in writing | P | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Research | P | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Numeracy | P | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Critical Thought | P | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Computer Literacy | P | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Information Literacy | P | MPA | |
| Communicate and present ideas effectively | T | MPA | |
| Reason critically | T | MPA | |
| Use information and communication technology for the retrieval and presentation of material | T | MPA | |
| Organise and plan their own work | T | MPA | |
| Adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving | T | MPA | |
| Collaborate with others to achieve common goals | T | MPA | |
| Deploy a range of relevant research skills | T | MPA | |
| Make decisions in complex situations | T | MPA | |
| Take responsibility for their own learning | T | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Effective and fluent communication skills - oral and written. | T | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Effective use of computer and information technology, including audio-visual technology, for the retrieval and presentation of information and data. | T | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Ability to work independently, demonstrate capacity for initiative, manage time and competing demands, emerge as a well-organised and mature learner. | T | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Capacity to collaborate with others in large or small groups in order to achieve clearly defined tasks. | T | DipHE | |
| Effective and fluent communication skills - oral and written. | T | DipHE | |
| Effective use of computer and information technology, for the retrieval and presentation of information and data. | T | DipHE | |
| Ability to work independently, demonstrate capacity for initiative, manage time and competing demands | T | DipHE | |
| Capacity to collaborate with others in large or small groups in order to achieve clearly defined tasks. | T | CertHE | |
| Effective and fluent communication skills - oral and written. | T | CertHE | |
| Ability to work independently. | T | CertHE | |
| Capacity to collaborate with others in large or small groups in order to achieve clearly defined tasks. | T | MPA | |
| Form effective arguments | P | MPA |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Integrated Master's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and 7). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Integrated Master's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over five academic years, consisting of 600 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6, 7 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 2 modules from the listed optional modules.
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose six options of the optional modules available.
Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
Students must choose four options out of the modules available.
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 2 modules from the listed optional modules.
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose six options of the optional modules available.
Professional Training Year (PTY) - Professional Training Year
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLP025 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| POLP026 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (WORK-STUDY 50/50) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| POLP027 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR STUDY) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) - Professional Training Year
Students must choose one of the above three modules.
Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
Students must choose four options out of the modules available.
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Students on our BSc Politics and BSc International Politics can transfer onto the MPA up until the end of FHEQ L5 or the end of the placement year (LP) as long as they meet the following criteria:
- They have taken the compulsory modules on the MPA at FHEQ L4 and L5
- They have achieved an average of 55% in each academic year.
Students on the MPA can transfer onto either the BSc Politics or BSc International Politics at FHEQ L4 or L5. As students on the MPA do the compulsory modules for both degree programmes they meet this requirement already. There is no average mark that they need to obtain to transfer.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.