The Essex MPP

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Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(Master of Public Policy:) Master of Public Policy
The Essex MPP
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Government
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MPP L430EB
08/05/2024

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

Course qualifiers

A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).

None

Rules of assessment

Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.

Additional notes

None

External examiners

Staff photo
Dr Adrian Florea

Senior Lecturer in International Relations

University of Glasgow

External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment. External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course. They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards. External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Exit Award Status
Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Credits PG Diploma PG Certificate
01 GV923-7-AU-CO Foundations of Public Policy Core 15 Compulsory Optional
02 GV924-7-SP-CO The Politics of Public Policy Core 15 Compulsory Optional
03 GV914-7-AU-CO Research Design Compulsory 15 Compulsory Optional
04 Option(s) from list Optional 30 Optional Optional
05 Option(s) from list Optional 45 Optional Optional

Year 2 - 2025/26

Exit Award Status
Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Credits PG Diploma PG Certificate
01 GV993-7-FY-CO MA Dissertation Core 60 Optional Optional

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

  • To enable students to analyse public policy and understand how public policies are made, implemented and evaluated.
  • Endow student with the skills to better identify, analyse, and evaluate the administrative and political processes and institutions involved in the formulation, making and implementation of public policies.
  • The course introduces key concepts and theories forming the foundation for public policies, the public policy process, as well as the politics of this process. It teaches students to gain knowledge and apply the theoretical tools to analyse real-world policy areas and policy issues.


Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

A: Knowledge and understanding

A1: Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives on public policy

A2: Understanding of the empirical methods used in public policy analysis

A3: Critical awareness of the use of evidence in public policy analysis

A4: Knowledge of the main research findings, and main developments and debates in the study of public policy

A5: Systematic knowledge of the relevant sources of information.

Learning methods

A1-A5 Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.
A1&A2 specifically in GV923 Foundations of Public Policy

A5 specifically in GV993 MA Dissertation in supervision of individual dissertations

For all learning outcomes, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Delivery methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and students as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.

Assessment methods

A1-A5 through written assignments and essays.

For all assessment methods, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Assessment methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and students as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: To develop independent thinking

B2: To muster evidence

B3: To evaluate and analyse evidence

B4: To reason critically.

B5: To argue coherently and concisely

B6: To communicate ideas effectively in writing

B7: To carry out independent research

Learning methods

B1-7 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance on researching and writing essays, oral and written feedback on essays

B2 & B7 especially in GV993 supervised dissertation

For all learning outcomes, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Delivery methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and student as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.

Assessment methods

B1-B6 written assignments and essays
B7 through the dissertation

For all assessment methods, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Assessment methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and students as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.

C: Practical skills

C1: Organise and structure an extended argument

C2: Use concepts correctly

C3: Compile systematic bibliographies.

C4: Provide references according to accepted conventions.

C5: Use libraries and IT to access data, information & scholarly resources

C6: Sift and synthesise complex information

Learning methods

C1-6 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance for essays, individual supervision of dissertations, oral and written feedback on class presentations and essays.

For all learning outcomes, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Delivery methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and student as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.

Assessment methods

C1-6 written assignments and essays, supervised dissertation.

C1 especially in dissertation.

C2-6 specifically in essays and dissertation.

For all assessment methods, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Assessment methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and students as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.

D: Key skills

D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression & communication in English.

D2: Access and organise information from a variety of electronic sources

D3: Apply statistical methods.

D4: To manage projects and timetables. To find, understand and organise information and ideas.

D5: Working with others in pairs and group work.

D6: Positive response to feedback and criticism, ability to work independently

Learning methods

D1-6 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, dissertation.

D5 specifically in group-based in-class work.

D6 specifically in individual guidance on essays, oral and written feedback on essays.

For all learning outcomes, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Delivery methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and student as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.

Assessment methods

D1-5 written assignment and essays, in-class presentations, dissertation

D6 trajectory across assignments throughout course of studies, dissertation

For all assessment methods, instructors will pay attention to sensitivities regarding gender, race, cultural heritage and religion and other possible signifiers of group identity. Assessment methods will be adjusted for students with special learning difficulties based on individual needs. Robust feedback mechanisms through personal contact between module supervisors and students as well as module representatives will ensure inclusivity needs will be dynamically identified as they develop.


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.