Public Policy and Management with Placement Year

Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

See international entry requirements and English language requirements

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MSc Public Policy and Management with Year in Industry programme will develop your capacity to understand, analyse and manage organisations in the public sector.

The programme provides students with state-of-the-art knowledge of theories, doctrines, and techniques for making public sector entities perform efficiently and effectively. You will develop practical skills to design and implement systems of public service delivery, to devise applications of digital technologies to public services, to lead innovation and change, and to manage public financial resources.

You will have the opportunity to learn about and discuss some among the crucial issues that government face nowadays, from healthcare to education, climate change to natural disasters, from migration to poverty reduction, and from the cultivation of capacity building to the development of digital strategies. A wide range of optional modules will provide you with the opportunity to explore several public sector-related topics.

The School of Finance and Management is excited to continue its collaboration with Practera, building on the success of the previous SFM Virtual Industry Projects. These bespoke work-based learning projects are designed to grow your professional skills and network through working with a team of SOAS students to tackle a real-world business challenge.

Please note: you will be expected to secure the work placement yourself, to be approved by the academic department. The SOAS Careers team are on hand to help you with your CV, interview skills and finding the right organisation for you.

Why study MSc Public Policy and Management with Year in Industry at SOAS?

• We are ranked 42nd in the UK for Accounting and Finance (Complete University Guide 2025)
• The programme aims to help students start a career in government and public sector agencies, or strengthen their prospects for an improved career trajectory.
• Finance and Business Network Seminar. This Seminar Series is open to all our UG and PG students. It offers you the opportunity to engage with experts from the worlds of business, finance, banking, and the public sector. Listen to leaders within their fields and network with them, fellow students and Faculty over refreshments. Most events will be held on campus, but some will be held at industry headquarters. For example, in 2022/23 an event was held at Citigroup’s Canary Wharf Offices.The networking part of the seminars will also provide opportunities to engage with practitioners to help foster students’ career visions.

Global Partnerships

This programme can be offered as part of a dual masters degree with Korea University.

Through the dual masters, students can spend the first year studying at KU and second year at SOAS or vice versa and gain a Masters award from each institution. For more information and eligible programmes included in the dual masters, please see the SOAS-KU partnership on the Global Partnerships website.

Information for international students

For details, including English language requirements, please see SOAS website

Fees and funding

For details of postgraduate fees, please see SOAS website