MSc in Public Policy
Dublin, Ireland
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,200
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Recent problems have shown that the way many countries make their policies has some issues. This is especially true in Ireland. These issues are partly because the people in charge of making policies aren't always good at figuring out and carrying out these policies, especially in complicated and changing situations.
The Irish government, the European Union and other international organisations know about this problem. They're trying to get more experts in making policies to work with them.
To address this, DCU is now offering a special online course that covers different subjects and is made to help the new generation of policymakers. It's called the MSc in Public Policy, and it's a unique professional degree that focuses on both deep thinking and careful methods. This fits the needs of a society that is dealing with more complicated and nuanced challenges.
Explore scholarship opportunities for International Students.
During the MSc in Public Policy programme, you'll complete four essential modules and select two additional modules from a set of choices. Afterward, you'll undertake a Policy Analysis Exercise, which is a new approach different from the usual dissertation. This exercise allows you to tackle actual policy issues given by public organisations, and you may even connect it to your current job.
The MSc in Public Policy provides graduates with the expertise and abilities needed to handle the policy challenges of the 21st century. These challenges include areas such as recovering from the social and economic impacts of the pandemic, addressing climate change and dealing with the consequences of Brexit.
The MSc in Public Policy (Education Policy) pathway is an online part-time ONLY (studied over two years) programme. It is designed to meet the requirements of a new generation of education and skills policy makers.
There will be up to 15 places offered on the MSc in Public Policy (Education Policy) pathway, the next intake will be September 2026.
Core Modules
- Public Policy Analysis
- Political Theory and Public Policy
- Research Design for Policy Makers
- Policy Challenges
- Quantitative Methods for Social Sciences 1
- Policy Analysis Exercise
Possible Optional Modules (depending on availability)
- EU Institutional Law
- Climate Change Policy and Governance
- Housing Policy
- Educational Policy
- Environmental Change and World Politics
- Public Policy Evaluation
- EU Banking and Finance Law
- Climate Change and Cities
- Legislative Drafting
- Future Generations: Priorities, Policies, Politics
- Law and Politics of Brexit
- Irish Foreign Policy
- EU Trade Law and Policy
- Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings)
- Ranked among the world's top 350 universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Business and Economics (201-250), Arts and Humanities (201-250), Research Environment (301)
- Ireland’s highest-ranked young university, placed 59th globally (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings).
- Ranked 1st in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate (and 23rd Globally) by QS World University Rankings
- 96% of DCU graduates are in employment or further studies within 6 months of graduation
- Voted no. 1 worldwide for Career Development by Global Student Satisfaction Awards
The MSc in Public Policy offers a variety of modules that provide participants with a wide range of social science skills.
These skills include quantitative analysis, research design, economics and communication methods. They enable participants to develop, analyse, evaluate and effectively communicate public policies.
The selection of these modules has been done in close consultation with important stakeholders, including senior civil servants and ministers.
The aim is to ensure that graduates of the programme are well-prepared to assume leadership roles in the field of policymaking.
Career Prospects
- Policy Advisor
- Policy Maker
- Public Servant
- Communications Consultant


