Policy Studies

The program allows students to combine coursework with extensive independent research in policy studies. Students will produce a work of original research that reveals an awareness of the latest research and theoretical directions within their chosen sub-discipline of international politics.

The program is taken over 1.5 years (full-time, or longer for part-time), consisting of compulsory seminars on policy design, policy research methods or social policy and social capital, and a thesis of 20,000 words. Candidates may advance to the Doctor of Philosophy degree after successful completion of the Masters or may apply to convert to the PhD at an earlier stage. An Honours grade of at least a H3 (65%) average must be attained in the respective thesis and advanced seminar components of the course to qualify for the award of the masters degree.

Students who complete the Master of Arts (Advanced Seminar & Shorter Thesis) in this area of specialisation should:

• have an advanced understanding of the major debates in contemporary policy development and analysis;
• have developed a specialised knowledge in one or more areas of policy development and analysis;
• have produced a shorter thesis based on original research that reveals an awareness of the latest research and theoretical directions within their chosen sub-discipline of policy studies.

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / 3 years part-time

The Master of Arts (Advanced Seminar & Shorter Thesis) in this area of specialisation requires:

• thesis of 20,000 - 22,000 words
• one core subject (25 points)

Thesis Subject

Thesis of 20,000 - 22,000 words

Core Subjects

Core subject (25 points total)