The MPhil in Public Policy is a practice-orientated course that offers a blend of theory and practice modules. Students will receive a thorough intellectual grounding and practical experience in the processes of policymaking, as well as an understanding of the range of knowledge and skills they need to be effective in the world of policy. The course aims to:
Enable students to understand the skills they will need to be effective policy entrepreneurs.
Promote the conduct of evidence-based policymaking by providing training in core methods of policy evaluation, as well as the linkage between research and innovation in public policy.
Promote better awareness within policy circles of scientific developments and emerging technologies, which in turn will encourage long-term thinking and better strategic planning.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
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 technical aspects of policymaking.
A solid grounding in the theory, practical tools and skills required for the implementation of policies.
Skills and other attributes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Work confidentially with different forms of information (qualitative and quantitative) that have varying degrees of precision, relevance, and uncertainty.
Consider issues from a range of disciplinary perspectives.
Assess what information is missing, and how to recognise when this is the case.
Critically appraise information from diverse kinds of experts.
Integrate different forms of thinking.
Consider the implications of complexity, risk, and uncertainty in policymaking.
Transferable skills
At the end of the course, students will have had experience of:
Preparing policy briefings.
Critical reasoning, independence of mind, teamwork, ability to assess the importance of the ideas of others.
Obtaining and synthesising information of varying types.
Knowing when and how to seek an opinion.
Judging the validity of sources.
Continuing
The new PhD in Public Policy will start in October 2027, with applications opening in September 2026. Progression from the MPhil to PhD is not automatic, and current Cambridge students will be required to submit a new application for the PhD course, as a 'continuer'. As with new applicants, current MPhil students will be required to meet the course entry requirements. Current MPhil students can expect to have their PhD application reviewed once their MPhil academic performance can be fully assessed.
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