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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
Individual units and a Postgraduate Certificate is available on a distance learning basis through the Continuing Professional Development scheme.
Overview
Our MSc Wellbeing in Public Policy and International Development provides a unique opportunity to develop specialist expertise in wellbeing in the context of multi-disciplinary learning about international development and public policy analysis.
Spanning the global divide between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries, the MSc is designed for students and professionals wishing to build careers which make a difference in government, NGO, multi-lateral agencies or social enterprise.
Core units in concepts and methods, ethics and social justice, and the assessment of wellbeing are complemented by a wide-range of options in international development, policy analysis, governance, politics, and environmental sustainability.
Located in the Department of Social & Policy Sciences, the programme builds on high profile ongoing international research into wellbeing.
The Department is characterised by a strong engagement with policy and practice, as well as a commitment to contribute to social well-being and social justice. There is an active and vibrant international community of research students undertaking their own research alongside academic staff.
This programme also links closely to the broader activities of the Centre for Development Studies and the Institute for Policy Research.
Programme structure
Core Units
- Foundations of international development
- Wellbeing: concepts, measurement and policy
- Ethics and public policy
- Wellbeing assessment in public policy and development practice
- Research and professional skills
Optional units
- Advanced Policy Analysis
- The Politics of Policy
- Comparative European Social Policy
- Economics for international development
- Sociology & social anthropology of development
- Natural resources and sustainability
- Critical issues in social development
- Policy Evaluation: Methods and Techniques
- Welfare Regimes and Social Policy
- Management of development
- World politics: conflict, security & development
- Political economy of globalisation
- Governing Contemporary Societies
- Regional Research Specialism (Latin America, Africa or South East Asia)
- Politics of Sustainability
You can also study other units offered by the Department of Social & 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 by distance-learning towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- First or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a social-science related 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
Informal enquiries
Email: s.deneulin@bath.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1225 38 6805
Admissions enquries
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 wellbeing and social justice.
We draw together academic staff with backgrounds in Social Policy, Sociology, Social Work and International Development and work closely with colleagues in Psychology, Economics, and Health.
We also have an active and vibrant community of research students undertaking their own research alongside our academic staff.
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.
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 postgraduate teaching strongly reflects our research and our links to policy-makers and development institutions at the national, European and global level.
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.
