Science and Technology Policy with a Professional Placement Year

Entry requirements

You should have a lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above.

Your qualification can be in any subject but undergraduate degrees in the social sciences, natural science, humanities or engineering are particularly suitable. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Advances in science and technology continue to transform the way we live. This makes designing effective policies for science and technology a priority for governments worldwide. The challenge is not just to advance science and technology, but to set directions and priorities for their development.

On our Science and Technology Policy MSc, you’ll learn about the language, logic and tools of policy formulation and analysis. You’ll be taught by world-leading researchers and scholars, and benefit from the global networks enjoyed by the University of Sussex Business School and SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit.

You’ll investigate science and technology policy challenges, and learn to evaluate and recommend policy solutions. This includes:

• frameworks and tools to understand the complex dynamics of policy development
• critiquing and contributing to science, technology and innovation policy and industrial strategy
• analysing science, technology and innovation policy using an array of methodologies, from a number of perspectives.

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. This can be a fantastic opportunity to gain real-life insight into industry as well as skills valued by employers. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can help you:

• find an employer
• draft an application
• prepare for interviews.

Don’t worry if you’re not successful, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course.

Accreditation

You’ll join the EQUIS and AMBA-accredited University of Sussex Business School. Learn more about all of our course accreditations here. Find out more

Information for international students

We are pleased to announce that all international applicants who study a full time Masters course at the University of Sussex Business School starting in September 2025 will receive a £2,000 award towards their overseas tuition fee. A range of unlimited country specific scholarships are also available.

Fees and funding

Please see our prospectus for the latest information on fees. Visit our website for more information Funding and Scholarships. Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.