General Information Programme title Final award FHEQ level of final award Associated programmes (including short courses) FHEQ level of associated award(s) Awarding body Lead College Programme Director Mode of study University of London External Programme Programme Specification Master of Science in Public Policy and Management MSc Master of Science 'M' Masters Associated with MSc in Development Finance. Masters programmes all FHEQ level 'M' University of London Centre for Financial and Management Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies Mr Norman Flynn Distance Learning enhanced by the CeFiMS Online Study Centre Programme accredited by No Programme started 1998 Study year start date January or June Relevant QAA subject SOAS received the highest possible commendation of its learning benchmarks and teaching standards in the QAA inspection of 2004. Registration period Minimum 2 calendar years from the effective date of registration for the degree; Maximum 5 calendar years from the effective date of registration for the degree. Average time to graduation 3 years Teaching Institution attendance No required? Admission Details Intake quota None Admissions requirements A student must have: (a)a good degree in a social science discipline or other appropriate discipline; from a university or other institution acceptable to the University (qualifications in other subjects will be assessed on their merits) Or (b)previous education and experience without a First degree, which satisfies the University as a qualification on the same level as a First degree approved under (a) for this purpose, and which has included suitable preliminary training. For all students an advanced level of ability to work in English is required. Students may be required to pass or to have passed in the past five years, at an appropriate level, a test of proficiency in English acceptable to the University. (IELTS of 7.0 or a score of 640 in TOEFL). Students registered with effect from 1 January 2005 will be required to have access to the internet in order to participate fully in the learning process.
Possible exemptions None Exemptions are given to students who have qualifications outside the University of London; students will be exempt from subjects but no mark will count. There is currently a limit on the number of exemptions that can be awarded - up to one third of a degree. Credit and transfer/progression arrangements Applications for credit from students and graduates of the University of London will be considered on a discretionary basis. Credits are given to students who have University of London qualifications; students can be credited with the same or equivalent subject previously passed and the mark they achieved will carry. Programme Outcomes Distinctive features of the Programme Possible routes to further study Possible graduate employment routes Programme Content and Structure Learning aims, objectives and intended outcomes The programme is well established but has been enhanced with the development of the Online Study Centre. Instead of a continuous sequence of courses, gaps are allowed so that a student can catch up with other commitments. Courses are therefore run in five sessions throughout the year and each course is normally available at least twice in a twelve-month period. Though there are similarities with specialist Masters degrees in Business and Management, this programme puts less emphasis on aspects such as integrating work experience, reflective practice, practical solutions to business problems, and skills related to working with people in organisations. Instead this programme provide structured opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes The University of London has an extensive network of local examination centres in over 140 countries. Successful completion of the MSc in Public Policy and Management may allow students to progress to postgraduate research in the same or a related field. This programme attracts those wishing to pursue a career in the financial services, government, development organisations, education and self-employed consultants etc. This programme aims to provide a systematic understanding of the perspectives and policy issues, concepts and principles, and techniques appropriate to modern policy management in the public sector.
Learning and teaching methods, including support, guidance, materials provided and study requirements Subject Specific Skills Students should be able to: assess data and evidence critically from printed sources ( and some digital sources) and assess and demonstrate how well the theories and models relevant to public policy and management, stand up to empirical analysis; evaluate to what extent theories, models and concepts enable us to frame a useful overview of policy and management in the public sector, in a macroeconomic context and in different environments; develop and demonstrate the ability to be selective in using facts and theories to frame their arguments in relation to specified problems and thus to structure and communicate ideas effectively in writing; understand and explain issues from the perspectives of professionals involved in public sector policy management or its oversight, in the functional areas of public financial management, human resource management, information systems management, and project evaluation; understand and explain the strategic issues shaping policy choices in the national and international contexts of public sector management, including decentralisation, public or private sector finance and delivery of public services; appreciate and explain the emphasis on managing organisational change in the public sector in the recent past and currently, in the UK and in other public sector contexts. Intellectual Skills Students who complete the Masters programme will expect to have developed the following skills: to think creatively; to question and analyse information; to develop arguments in a systematic fashion; to express ideas clearly in written work and to develop problem solving skills by applying theory and theoretical models in practical situations. Key Skills Students will be expected to have developed the following skills: improved cognitive ability, effective problem solving, effective communication, numerical and quantitative skills, effective selfmanagement, learning to learn, self awareness, and research skills. A student will be sent everything needed to complete their studies: A study calendar - a study calendar is provided for each course which sets out the schedule for coursework and assignment deadlines. A Student Handbook- containing advice on how to tackle assignments and written examinations. There is also a study guide and an audio CD offering suggestions on distance learning. The University of London Regulations for the programme are also included. A core text - each course centres on a specifically written core text which is structured into study units of one week, it guides you through the subject and prompts you to reflect on course content through exercises. Textbooks and collections of readings - most courses also include one or more textbooks and a collection of recent or
Programme structure Syllabus Programme Regulations classic articles of importance to the subject. If there is no single core textbook selected chapters of different textbooks may be included. Online and multimedia tools - courses can be accessed through the internet. The Online Study Centre provides the study materials in an easily accessible form that complements the printed texts. It is possible to submit assignments online, access the online library resources and communicate directly with a tutor through the Online Study Centre. In addition, some courses may also have video lectures, which expand on important issues raised in the course, relate the material to 'real world' examples or provide revision advice. Computer software for the quantitative courses is also included. Students also have access to a student-to student network - this allows registered students to communicate with each other and to provide mutual support. The programme consists of seven courses chosen from a list of options. One of the options is a Public policy and management research: principles and practice course which is a prerequisite for the dissertation. In any one-year students may study and be examined in a maximum of four courses in which he or she chooses to enter for an examination, excluding re-sits. At the discretion of the examiners, students who are required to re-sit more than two examinations in any one year may be prohibited from following further courses until these re-sit examinations have been taken. Seven courses chosen from the following list: Public Policy and management: perspectives and issues Methods of public financial management Human resource management and development Management information and information systems Decentralisation and local governance Strategic issues in public finance Managing organisational change Project appraisal and impact analysis The International Monetary Fund and economic policy Privatisation and public-private partnerships: alternative ways of delivering public services Public policy and management research: principles and practice Dissertation
Assessment methods, including the proportion of the different methods used http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/studentarea/regulations/availabl e-regs.shtml Each course (except for the Dissertation) is assessed by one threehour unseen written paper and by the submission of assignments. Assignments count for 30% of the course grade. A course normally involves two written essays of about 2500 words each in length. (Courses in econometrics or quantitative methods will include numerical and interpretive exercises). The written examination counts 70% towards the final grade. The Dissertation course will be assessed by the submission of a written dissertation relating to both theory and policy issues of not more than 10,000 words, excluding bibliography and appendices. Marking scheme and classification criteria Mark Range 70+ Distinction 65-69 Merit 50-64 Pass 0-49 Fail The degree is awarded without classification however at the discretion of the Examiner, a mark of merit or distinction is awarded. The award is normally given on the basis of achieving marks within the appropriate range in each course. Examiners have complete discretion to take into account the student's overall performance. Estimated study hours overall Intellectual development (rationale of progression through programme) Quality Assurance Particular indicators of quality Each course is divided into eight units. Each unit is designed for a study over one week. A student should expect to dedicate 15 to 20 hours in total to complete each unit; this includes time for reading, writing assignments and preparation for examinations. Courses are run in five sessions throughout the year and each course is normally available at least twice in a twelve-month period. This allows students to have time for other commitments. The Dissertation course can only be taken on the recommendation of the Programme Director after submission of a detailed research proposal, and after the Public Policy and management: principles and practice course has been completed successfully. SOAS has an international reputation for its innovation and interdisciplinary studies, particularly for research and postgraduate programmes in international studies. The evaluation of teaching and learning resources is done via student feedback forms. Any comments can be fed back into subsequent course preparations.
Methods of assuring, evaluating and improving quality and standards of the programme The University of London statute 66 (2), states that: Candidates granted degrees and other awards shall have attained the same academic standard irrespective of mode or place of study or examination. Degrees and Diplomas awarded to External students are, therefore, examined to the same standard as those granted to Internal students of the University. In support of this statute, the External Programme and individual Lead Colleges share responsibility for ensuring the quality of External provision. The Quality Assurance Framework for the External Programme defines this shared responsibility and covers areas including: The bidding process External programmes must undergo validation & approval under Lead College mechanisms and with reference to national QAA benchmark statements. Student and programme management This includes the admission, registration and progression of students, establishment of assessment procedures and appointment of boards of examiners. System wide matters Academic policy and development is the responsibility of the External System Lead Colleges Committee, the membership of which is made up of representatives of all the Lead Colleges at Vice-Principal level. The qualifications framework for External programmes outlines the different levels of undergraduate and postgraduate study and the awards which may be made to External students. Programme validation/approval Appointment of External Examiners Student feedback mechanisms Systematic reporting and the review process External Examiners make annual reports on assessment procedures and standards set and achieved. Annual Programme Reports provide annual summaries of programme information. These reports are considered and acted on as part of an annual review process. This programme commenced before the introduction of the current Quality Assurance framework for External programmes. Future programme approval or revalidation would be undertaken by the Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee and approved by the School Learning and Teaching Policy Committee at the. External Examiners for External Programmes are nominated and appointed by the Lead College or Consortium, using approval processes which are parallel with those used for the appointment of External Examiners to Boards of Examiners assessing Collegebased students. External Programme wide student feedback mechanisms are currently under development therefore no standard data is available yet.