Find out more about our Open Day on 6th November 2025 and find a range of online information sessions to attend and find out more about postgraduate study at UWS.
Upcoming Postgraduate Events
The MSc in Policy Analysis & Global Governance equips you with the knowledge and skills to investigate and evaluate the ways in which a variety of state and non-state organisations come together to address global problems.
Equally, the master's concerns how to analyse the development and impact of complex public policies. It is delivered by an international team of leading academics in the field.
You will use theory and research to analyse global institutions and the processes involved in global governance.
Modules are likely to include:
You must also complete an MSc Dissertation, which provides the opportunity to specialise in an area of public policy and governance.
The MSc Policy Analysis and Global Governance allowed me to develop my understanding of the policy landscape and equipped me with an invaluable insight into the various methodologies utilised across the policy landscape. The variety of modules available on the course, enabled me to develop a wider understanding of the multi-disciplinary skills required to develop robust policies that will improve people’s lives. The course content was very practical and provided me with a real insight into the practical working environment which I now work in.
Sarah Gilhooley, 2018 graduate, Policy and Partnership Officer within the Scottish Government’s Employability Division
Work-related learning underpins the teaching on this MSc with the use of employment-focused assessments and the use of improvement and evaluation projects as part of the assessment strategies.
Course staff enable you to build links with our existing partners through the Oxfam partnership and with wider civil society and public sector bodies.
The master's research dissertation module also offers you the opportunity to enhance your CV by undertaking a practice-based project as part of your final dissertation in collaboration with a public or third sector organisation.
Our Masters prepares graduates for the real world and provides you with a range of skills including project management, synthesis, analysis and evaluation, as well as policy analysis skills. These are attractive to government, state agencies, and civil society employers.
This research-informed Masters also prepares you well for further research studies, including PhD.
Studying at UWS opened new doors for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UWS; all the lecturers were so supportive that I have applied to undertake a PhD at UWS.
Awais Mashkoor, 2018 graduate
The MSc Policy Analysis and Global Governance allowed me to develop my understanding of the policy landscape and equipped me with an invaluable insight into the various methodologies utilised across the policy landscape. The variety of modules available on the course, enabled me to develop a wider understanding of the multi-disciplinary skills required to develop robust policies that will improve people’s lives. The course content was very practical and provided me with a real insight into the practical working environment which I now work in.
Sarah Gilhooley, 2018 graduate, Policy and Partnership Officer within the Scottish Government’s Employability Division
Explore your postgraduate options at UWS. Join our online information session to learn more and get your questions answered.
SIGN UP FOR A POSTGRADUATE ONLINE EVENT!We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
You will be required to hold a relevant Honours degree (or equivalent) at second class:lower (2:2) or above. Relevant subjects include social science, medicine, health, law, or social work.
Applications will also be considered from those with a degree in another discipline or other professional training or experience relevant to MSc.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The MSc Policy Analysis and Global Governance degree has been designed to be flexible and allows for part-time and full-time study, while also blending on-campus, and online delivery techniques.
The MSc comprises five core and one optional taught, 20-credit modules followed by a 60-credit research dissertation.
If you chose to exit the course before undertaking the research dissertation, you can exit with the award of Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip).
You will be required to design and undertake an extended piece of written research focused around a specific research question via the MSc Dissertation.
For the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) stage, you will study the following modules:
To complete the PgDip stage, you will select one 20-credit module from a range of suitable optional modules. These may include:
The selection of the optional taught 20-credit module is based both on your interests and on their availability (which can change from year-to-year).
Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:
The Dissertation will give you the opportunity to specialise in an area of public policy and governance that interests you, while under academic supervision.
There are no written examinations on our course and you will develop your project management, team working, and written skills in order to be equipped for graduate-level employment.
Assessment will be a combination of:
Our course provides a rich variety of integrated learning and assessment opportunities and experiences, increasing discipline knowledge and understanding while developing key transferable skills.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
ASSESSMENT
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
Graduates will develop a range of skills including project management, evaluation, research methods and policy analysis that are attractive to government, state agency, and civil society employers. Graduates of the MSc in Policy Analysis and Global Governance have joined government departments, NGOs, research institutions and the private sector.
This programme provides a solid foundation for future doctoral-level research studies (MPhil/PhD).
Use the Link below to download details of our full-time, part-time tuition fees for Bachelor, Masters, Research, and English Language pre-sessional courses for session 2023-24.
Tuition Fees£7,500 Total cost of tuition
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
£15,500 Total cost of tuition
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
£2,210 per module (20 credits)
£7,500 Total cost of tuition
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
£15,500 Total cost of tuition
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
£2,210 per module (20 credits)
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) postgraduate tuition fee and living cost loans may be available for eligible (Scottish/EU) students. Check SAAS website for more information.
All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.
The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.
Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.
Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.
An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.
For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Our friendly admissions teams are here to help!
International prospective students
Our international team is ready to support you with your application and any questions about joining UWS from abroad.
UK based prospective students
If you’re applying from within the UK, our applicant enquiry team is here to guide you every step of the way.
With cutting edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, we aim to develop research outputs that have a tangible, early and positive impact on society across the globe.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.