The MPhil in Public Policy provides an interdisciplinary grounding in public policy theory and practice, with courses spanning from economics and statistics to policy debates and professional skills.
The course is aimed at students who wish to have a leading role in government, companies or NGOs. The blend of theory and practice will help students to understand the mix of hard and soft skills they will need to be effective policy entrepreneurs and students will leave the course having expanded and strengthened their policy analysis and implementation skills.
The MPhil in Public Policy is primarily a professional Master's course.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will be expected to have:
- an appreciation of the political and legal context of policymaking.
- an understanding of the economic and evidence aspects of policymaking; and
- a solid grounding in the theory, practical tools and skills required for the implementation of policies.
Continuing
For those who hope to read for a PhD at Cambridge a definite decision will only be taken once your performance in the MPhil can be fully assessed. The relevant Admissions Committee will set conditions for you related to the entry requirements of the PhD – one of which is that you obtain a Distinction in the MPhil. You will need to attain these targets to continue towards a PhD. The new PhD in Public Policy is due to commence in October 2027, with applications opening in September 2026.
Open Days
The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:
Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.
Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.
For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.