Public Affairs MSc - 2026/7

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MSc Public Affairs

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
PGCert Public Affairs
PGDip Public Affairs

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time PLB61007 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits
Part-time PLB61010 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Other internal and / or external reference points

NA

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Politics & International Relations

Programme Leader

KAEDING Malte (Politics IR)

Date of production/revision of spec

18/12/2024

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, with a view to transfer knowledge in future contexts.
  • To provide students with a foundation of knowledge and understanding of theory and analysis, and to encourage them to apply these issues in contemporary public affairs both in a national and international context.
  • To develop students' capacity to think critically about events, ideas, people and institutions at local, national, regional and international levels, increasing cultural and global intelligence.
  • 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, and sustainable thinking, supported by scholarship, a research culture, and staff reflection and development, to build resilience to tackle real-life problems.
  • 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, and engage with a diverse set of opinions, points of view and cultural and disciplinary backgrounds.
  • To understand and respect issues related to diversity and to employ a range of methods and approaches in relation to diverse needs.
  • The programme is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Demonstrate a critical knowledge of key concepts, principles and theoretical approaches associated with the study of politics, international relations and public policy. K MSc
Understand regional, national, international structures of governance in depth, and their impact on regional, national and local institutions, processes of globalisation and sustainability. K MSc
Apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics and public policy to the analysis of the political arena and in doing so, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the workings of political systems and institutions at the national and international level. KPT MSc
Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the process of knowledge creation and contestation within public affairs, and the techniques of research and enquiry and their application to the study of public affairs. K MSc
Gather, organise, and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety secondary and primary sources, analysing and synthesising from a wide range of material to enhance digital capabilities and employability skills. CT MSc
Demonstrate self-direction and originality in identifying, investigating, analysing, formulating and commending solutions to specified problems, reflecting on issues of global diversity, networked societies and sustainable thinking. CPT MSc
Construct reasoned argument, synthesize relevant information and exercise critical judgement in the articulation and application of evidence/data in an advanced fashion, considering global and cultural intricacies. CPT MSc
Formulate research questions, and eventually design and conduct a research project, selecting appropriate methods of data collection and analysis, addressing issues of feasibility, sustainability, unintended consequences on global and social diversity and thinking about interconnectedness within society P MSc
Deal with complex issues systematically and creatively also with sustainable thinking in mind, making sound judgments on the basis of incomplete information, and consolidating resourcefulness and resilience C MSc
Reflect on self and peer learning. Seek and apply constructive feedback. CPT MSc
Recognise the importance of demonstrating and good research skills, especially related to academic integrity and ethics. CT MSc
Demonstrate an in dependent attitude to studying which requires critical and reflective use of statistics and computer technology for learning purposes and to transfer to other contexts, with digital skills and employability in mind CP MSc
Demonstrate appropriate communication skills, both oral and written. PT MSc
Demonstrate effective and appropriate use of computer and information technology, including audio-visual technology, for the retrieval and presentation of information and data, with digital skills and employability in mind T MSc
Work independently, demonstrate capacity for initiative, manage time and competing demands, emerge as a well-organised, self-critical and mature learner, ready to tackle real-life problems in public affairs within a globalised, networked, digital and sustainable thinking environment. PT MSc
Show a capacity to collaborate with others in large or small groups in order to achieve clearly defined tasks. T MSc
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key concepts, principles and theoretical approaches associated with the study of politics, international relations and public policy. K PGCert, PGDip
Understand regional, national, international structures of governance in depth, and their impact on regional, national and local institutions K PGCert, PGDip
Apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics and public policy to the analysis of the political arena and in doing so, demonstrating substantive knowledge of the workings of political systems and institutions at the national and international level. KPT PGCert, PGDip
Demonstrate a substantive understanding of the process of knowledge creation and contestation within international relations, and the techniques of research and enquiry and their application to the study of international relations K PGCert, PGDip
Gather, organise, and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety secondary and primary sources, analysing and synthesising from a wide range of material CT PGCert, PGDip
Identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and commend solutions to specified problems, reflecting on issues of global diversity, networked societies and sustainable thinking. CPT PGCert, PGDip
Construct reasoned argument, synthesize relevant information and exercise sound judgement in the articulation and application of evidence/data, considering global and cultural intricacies. CPT PGCert, PGDip
Reflect on self and peer learning. Seek and apply constructive feedback. CPT PGCert, PGDip
Recognise the importance of demonstrating and good research skills, especially related to academic integrity and ethics. CT PGCert, PGDip
Demonstrate appropriate communication skills, both oral and written. PT PGCert, PGDip
Demonstrate effective and appropriate use of computer and information technology, including audio-visual technology, for the retrieval and presentation of information and data. T PGCert, PGDip
Work independently, demonstrate capacity for initiative, manage time and competing demands, emerge as a well-organised, self-critical and mature learner, ready to tackle problems in a globalised, networked, digital and sustainable thinking environment. PT PGCert, PGDip
Show a capacity to collaborate with others in large or small groups in order to achieve clearly defined tasks. T PGCert, PGDip

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Part-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over two academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
POLM009 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH Compulsory 15 1
POLM035 NEGOTIATING AND LOBBYING IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS Compulsory 15 1
POLM011 RESEARCH IN PRACTICE Compulsory 15 2
POLM039 ACTIVISM, PARTICIPATION AND PARTY ORGANISATION Compulsory 15 2
POLM042 PLANETARY POLITICS: CITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND INTERNATIONAL ORDER Optional 15 1

Module Selection for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Two compulsory modules in Semester 1 - Two compulsory modules in Semester 2

Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
POLM036 POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND CAMPAIGNING Optional 15 1
POLM037 POLITICAL LEADERSHIP Optional 15 1
POLM043 UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT AND DIPLOMACY IN WORLD POLITICS Optional 15 1
ECOM054 APPLIED POLICY ANALYSIS Optional 15 2
ENGM061 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Optional 15 2
MANM013 INTERNATIONAL TRADE Optional 15 2
POLM019 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY Optional 15 2
POLM040 ETHICS, KILLING, AND WAR Optional 15 2
SOCM008 CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Optional 15 2
SOCM050 CORPORATE CRIME AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY Optional 15 2
SOCM051 CYBERCRIME AND CYBERSECURITY Optional 15 2
POLM010 DISSERTATION Compulsory 60 Year-long
POLM031 POSTGRADUATE PLACEMENT Compulsory 60 Year-long

Module Selection for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

All optional modules - - Dissertation by end of programme

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

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

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 2026/7 academic year.