Public and Urban Policy

Entry requirements

2.1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent (e.g. a GPA of 3.0 or above) in a relevant social science or humanities subject. Good candidates from other disciplines are also considered. Applicants with extensive relevant professional experience, but with a lower degree, may also apply and are considered individually.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This programme is designed for people interested in how policy decisions are made and how they impact on the real world. There is a focus on urban issues nationally and globally, and opportunities to study other significant public policy fields.

Why Glasgow

• Glasgow is an inspiring place to study problems of public and urban policy, both as a laboratory of many profound challenges, and providing many examples of leading and innovative approaches to tackling such issues.

• The programme involves expert contributions from those working in a range of policy fields and field trips to study policy initiatives on the ground.

• An optional field trip to London will provide you with an insight into the complex socio-economic dynamics of city building and design through visits to high profile real estate, planning and regeneration projects. You will have the opportunity to both meet and speak with senior industry professionals and policy-makers involved in the delivery of major urban developments. Past trips have included visits to The Shard, Olympic Park, Crossrail, Battersea Power Station.

Programme Structure

The programme combines a mix of core courses, with a range of options offered to allow flexibility for you to develop your own interests and specialism. It is an interdisciplinary programme, delivered by academics at the cutting edge of their fields and uses a broad range of methods (lectures, seminars, projects, discussions, workshops) to provide a rich learning experience.

Throughout the programme there is an emphasis on practical problems and acting ‘in the real world’. This is reinforced by contributions from a range of senior, experienced practitioners and policy makers from a broad range of organisations, who enhance understanding of real world problems and solutions.

It is delivered over two semesters followed by an independent research project where you can research a topic in more depth. All assessments are extended written assignments – there are no exams.

Core courses

• Evidence, evaluation and policy
• Global cities
• Governance and markets
• Social science research methods
• Understanding public policy.

Optional courses may include

• Designing places
• Development process
• Housing inequality and society
• International real estate markets
• International urban challenges
• Regenerating cities
• Sustainable housing development
• Understanding health policy
• Urban design policy and practice.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include working within central or local Government, the public or voluntary sector in a policy making or evaluation role. You would also be equipped to proceed to a PhD in a policy related subject.

Information for international students

Please refer to our website for more information.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification:

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:

• ibTOEFL: 90; no sub-test less than:
  • Reading: 20
  • Listening: 19
  • Speaking: 19
  • Writing: 23
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII at Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses

Fees and funding

• Fees and funding
• Scholarships and funding

Qualification and course duration

MSc

PGDip

Course contact details