Public Affairs (Taught)

Why choose this course
Our Public Affairs MSc has a public policy and international politics emphasis which makes it distinct from other programmes in the UK.
Politics and International Relations is home to a lively community of energetic minds who closely examine how power operates and how it affects people’s lives.
You’ll learn about local and national politics, campaigning, leadership, and negotiations from international leading experts in the field.
This innovative masters course is unique in the UK and focuses on the active role that citizens can play in shaping politics at local, national and international levels.
The programme is truly interdisciplinary offering options to study at Surrey's various internationally-acclaimed centres of excellence, such as Surrey Business School and the Centre for Environment and Sustainability. This means you can tailor which aspects of public affairs you would like to focus on, e.g. legal, societal, environmental, corporate, business, behavioural change.
You will have the option to take a three-month work placement. Students have full flexibility when selecting their placement as long as it fits within the realm of their studies. Recently, we have had students whose placements examined foreign and public policy in embassies, government departments and private companies.

What you will study
Our MSc in Public Affairs will enhance your existing knowledge of political science, public policy and international affairs. A distinctive feature of this programme is its applied nature, and emphasis on political and social change.

Building on your excellent knowledge of politics, campaigning, activism, leadership and negotiations, this course will:

• Strengthen your research skills

• Allow you to study politics in an interdisciplinary manner

• Provide you with insight into the creation of public policy

• Enhance your understanding of the workings of public affairs.

Your modules will cover topics such as:

• Global governance

• International politics and public affairs

• International trade

• Negotiating and lobbying

• Political communication and campaigning

• Core concepts of sustainable development

• The UK justice system

• UK, EU and international legal and regulatory frameworks.

You will also have the option to take international relations modules (for example, focusing on diplomacy, conflict, international political economy) and select modules from sociology, criminology, law, economics, business management and psychology.

You’ll complete a year-long dissertation, or a project-based report linked to your three-month work placement, if you take this option.

You will be taught via seminars and simulation-based learning, for example, practising trade agreement negotiations and court room procedures.