Apply Online
MSc Wellbeing in Public Policy and International Development
Programme information was correct at 23 July 2013.
Programme
Qualifications and durations
- Full-time MSc 1 year
- Full-time PG Diploma 9 months
- Full-time PG Certificate 4 months
- Part-time MSc 2 to 5 years
- Part-time PG Diploma 21 months
Overview
This MSc has been developed to reflect the increasing interest in ‘wellbeing’ from academic and policy circles in both developed and developing countries. The programme moves the debate on international development from a debate about ‘development’ to a debate on wellbeing and social justice. The programme provides students with the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of wellbeing and its policy implications and develops conceptual tools for the critical analysis of contemporary development debates from a wellbeing perspective.
The MSc Wellbeing in Public Policy and International Development is therefore distinctive from existing degrees in that:
- it deals explicitly with conceptual and normative aspects of international development and social policy arising from the wellbeing discourse
- it approaches international development with perspectives from psychology and ethics
- it enables insights from ‘development studies’ to be brought to the context of developed countries as a means of addressing the analytical divide that has existed between the study of ‘developing’ and ‘developed’ nations
- it analyses the specific aspects of ‘globalisation’ which relate to social justice and the struggle of each human being to attain a decent level of wellbeing.
Programme structure
Core Units
- Foundations of international development
- Wellbeing and human development 1: concepts, measures and policy
- Wellbeing & human development 2: development ethics
- Wellbeing assessment in public policy and development practice
- Research skills and dissertation preparation
Optional units
- Economics for international development
- Sociology & social anthropology of development
- Policy and politics of developing countries
- Critical issues in social development
- Globalisation & economic insecurity: social policy challenges
- Management of development
- World politics: conflict, security & development
- Sustainable development: livelihoods and wellbeing
- Advanced Policy Analysis
- Regional Research Specialism (Latin America, Africa or South East Asia)
Students can also study other units offered by the Department of Social and Policy Sciences or other Departments subject to Director of Studies approval.
View Programme & Unit Catalogue for further information.
Some of these units can be taken independently as part of our Continuing Professional Development programme.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- First or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject, from a recognised university. or
- an equivalent degree in another subject, together with substantial relevant work experience.
Underlying these conditions is a belief that students must bring a minimum combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the programme.
English Language requirements
Certificates must be dated to within two years of the start of the programme of study.
- IELTS 7.0 (with not less than 6.5 in each of the four components)
- TOEFL 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test) with a score of not less than 4 in TWE or 100 (internet-based test) with not less than 24 in each of the components.
If you wish to improve your English proficiency before commencing your studies, pre-sessional language training can be arranged through the English Language Centre.
References
- Two references are required. At least one of these must be an academic reference.
Read details for how to apply to study.
Financial information
Costs
Potential sources of funding
- Studentships and Scholarships
- Students from Commonwealth countries studying this programme are eligible to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme (CSSS) Award.
Deadlines
We suggest you apply before the following dates if you wish to study this programme:
- 30 June 2013 for International Students (who need to apply for a UK Visa).
- 31 August 2013 for Home/EU students.
- Funding deadlines for Studentships and Scholarships
Contact
Alison Brady and Sandra Swaby
Email: sps-pgt-admissions@bath.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1225 38 6634
Related links
Our Research
Main areas of research
We are an internationally-recognised research-intensive Department with a strong focus on policy and practice and a commitment to contribute to social well-being and social justice. We draw together academic staff with backgrounds in Social Policy, Sociology, Social Work and International Development (see further details below) and work closely with colleagues in Psychology, Economics, and Health.
Research Centres
- Centre for the Analysis of Social Policy (CASP)
- Centre for Death and Society (CDAS)
- Centre for Development Studies (CDS)
- Wellbeing in Developing Countries Research (WeD)
- History of Technology Research Unit (HOTRU)
Research themes
Our five research themes are:
- Children, Young People, Families
- Lifelong Health and Wellbeing
- Work and Welfare
- Global Transformations and Insecurity
- Governance and Policy Design
Departmental Staff
Find out more about our staff and their research interests.
About the Department
Introduction
The Department of Social & Policy Sciences includes academics from social policy, sociology, social work and international development.
Our Department has an exciting and vibrant research culture. The international excellence of our research was recognised by the award of the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2011. We were also graded 2nd in the country for Social Work and Social Policy and Administration in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The 2008 RAE exercise recognised the Department for its top 4*(star) research - 'quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour'.
International Development staff were part of the submission to the Development Studies research panel that was ranked 4th in the country.
We are committed to advancing learning and knowledge through teaching and research. Our Department collaborates with a wide range of users at the local, national, European and global levels.
Postgraduate programmes
We offer a wide range of postgraduate programmes.
Our Department also has an active MPhil/PhD research programme. We take great pride in fostering a friendly and supportive learning environment.
Seminar series
We run a lively and well attended postgraduate research seminar series. Each of the Research Centres run seminar series and conferences associated with their research activities. The University of Bath also has a Research in the World public lecture series where key national and international academics are invited to speak.
Careers information
We are committed to ensuring that postgraduate students acquire a range of subject-specific and generic skills during their training. Our graduates generally go on to work in a wide variety of organisations, for example:
- social research in universities and research institutes, government, business, voluntary organisations and international organisations
- public policy analysis at local, national and international levels
- public information and campaigning within organisations concerned with wellbeing, sustainability and social justice.
