Marketing Approach: "The Master's in Public Policy (MPP) is a one-year practice oriented programme [launched] at the University of Cambridge in October 2013. The course aims to strengthen the interconnections between science, research and innovation in public policy. Integral to these aims, the MPP will promote better awareness within policy circles of scientific developments and emerging technologies, which in turn will encourage long-term thinking and better strategic planning.... The course seeks to attract students who want to build careers in public policy whether in government at national and international levels, or in the third sector or in the private sector. The MPP will provide students with a thorough intellectual grounding and practical experience in the processes of policy making, as well as an understanding of the range of knowledge and skills they need to be effective in the world of policy." (At http://www.cpp.csap.cam.ac.uk/mpp/, accessed 6 October 2014).

Degrees Awarded per Year: The MPhil in Public Policy (MPP) was launched in October 2013 with an initial class of 23 students representing nine countries. (At http://cambridgemppblog.org/mphil-in-public-policy/, accessed 17 May 2015.)

Academic Unit within University: Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS).

Related Degrees: The Department also offers a MPhil in International Relations and Politics.

Posted Tuition: The course fee for 2015-16 is £26,115. (At http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/study-at-polis/graduates/MPhilPP/fees-and-funding, accessed 17 May 2015.)

Concentration/Curriculum Overview:

The Master's in Public Policy (MPP) is a one-year practice oriented programme that will run for 9 months, from October to June. The elements are described at http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/Graduates/ProsMPhil/MPhilPP/programme-description (accessed 6 October 2014) as follows:

Case Studies: The programme includes three assessed case studies that focus on particular policy decisions and a set of known outcomes. Case studies apply an in-depth multidisciplinary approach to major episodes in recent UK public policy. In 2013-2014, the case studies were Emergency Budgeting and the Spending Review 2010; Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008; and Climate Change Act 2008.

Modules in Michaelmas Term:
- Statistics (Basic concepts of probability and statistics; The principles of study design and the practicalities of econometric analysis; Analysing real data).
- Philosophy and Public Affairs (Understanding equality and liberty;Understanding morality; Loyalty to organization vs. individual conscience)
- Social Intelligence and its Application (Understanding who you are: your personal resource, your ability to engage with others, your style of engagement, your way of thinking, your ability to approach a situation or problem; Understanding your opponent/those around you; Negotiation; Persuasion (how to convince others of your ideas and how to defend them)
- Macroeconomics (Tools to reduce unemployment, avoid recession and generate economic growth; Monetary policy: setting interest rates, exchange rates, regulating financial markets; Fiscal policy: government spending, pensions, unemployment insurance and government debt)

Modules in Lent Term:
- Politics and Law (Government and governance; The legislative process; Legal design; Agenda setting and public opinion)
- Scientific method and the Nature of Evidence (Experimentation and randomised control trials; Scientific proof, degrees of certainty; Context)
- Topics in Economic Policy (Funding: how to raise revenue through taxation; Regulation: competition, incentivising innovation through the use of patents; Growth: international trade and finance policy.)
- Systems (Understanding projects: Building an organisation, managing complexity; Developing specification, strategy, resource allocation, contracts, allocating tasks, assigning teams; Targets, performance management, understanding priorities, outcomes, evaluation, standards.)
- Media (Understanding who influences whom: building consent, informing the public, seeking opinion; Confrontational debate versus reasoned discussion; Using new media)

Practice
- Work Placement: A 14-week programme that will take place during the Easter vacation during which students will work for an organisation external to the University for whom they will deliver a policy document addressing a key issue. The placement will enable students to integrate and apply the core technical and managerial skills and specialist knowledge they have gained on the course. Students will work with their client to define the problem then design a strategy to address it, gather the relevant data, formulate and evaluate options and report recommendations. This work will form the basis of a final work placement report.
- Independent Research: The independent research module straddles two terms of the MPP. This module provides the opportunity for students to delve deeper into a particular area of interest. Students will build their own programme; attend lectures of their choice from a selection of more than 50 master’s level course with direct relevance to their particular interests and to their dissertation topic. They will also benefit from meetings with CSaP’s Policy Fellows, senior policy makers from Whitehall, Westminster and industry. The independent research module enables students to build a broad network of meaningful contacts at the University that they will be able to draw on in their future careers.
-Policy Analysis Exercise: The policy analysis exercise is a one-week project akin to a flight simulation. Students will be challenged to think about the practicalities of implementing policies and about the ethical problems that arise in policy making.

Degree Requirements

Summary: The requirements are summarized above and interpreted in Note 1.

Note 1: This is a new program with relatively little detailed curricular information on the website. We have made the following assumptions in interpreting the information in the description above.
- The Cambridge MPP has 180 CATS credits = 12 one-semester course equivalents
- Each 8-seminar module (including Independent Research module) is equivalent to = 15 CATS credits = 1 one-semester-course equivalent
- Each 4-seminar module is equivalent to 0.5 one-semester course equivalent
- The 14-week Work Placement is equivalent to 30 CATS credits = 2 one-semester course equivalents
- The 2-week Policy Analysis Exercise is equivalent to 1.5 one-semester courses
- The three case studies are incorporated into the modules and are not considered to be separate learning units

Duration: 9 months, October - June

Number of One-Semester-Equivalent Courses Required for Completion: 180 CATS credits = 12 one-semester course equivalents

Number of Required Courses: 12

Number of Electives Typically Taken (difference between above two entries): 0

Number of Electives Offered within Program: 1

Comprehensive Examination: No

Thesis Required: No

Internship Required: Yes (14 week Work Placement)

International Study Required: No

Co-curricular Activities Supportive to Degree

Professional Development and Career Support: Not mentioned on web site

Student-run Journal: Not mentioned on web site

Applied Projects: Yes

Pro Bono Consulting: Not mentioned on web site

Courses Offered: The courses offered by the University of Cambridge are found at http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/Graduates/ProsMPhil/MPhilPP/programme-description (accessed 31 May 2014) and have been assigned to Atlas subjects in the map below. All courses are required courses and are indicated by (R).

Course Material Online: Brief course descriptions but no syllabi are available to the public online.

Instructional Distribution (PEACO Scores): The table below indicates the distribution of instruction offered, based on the course assignments to subjects in the Course Map below, weighted by estimated enrolment determined by the PEACO Algorithm.

Cambridge

MPP

Curricular Type Parameters

Number of Courses Required for Graduation

12.0

Math-Economics Subjects (EA, QM, Macro, Fin Markets)

33.3%

Policy-Oriented Subjects

53.3%

Management-Oriented Subjects

46.7%

Enrolment-Adjusted Course Distribution

Analysis and Skill Subjects

60.0%

- Policy and Management Analysis

13.3%

- Economic Analysis

6.7%

- Quantitative and Analytic Methods

26.7%

- Leadership and Communication Skills

13.3%

Institutions and Context Subjects

26.7%

- Democratic Institutions and Policy Process

13.3%

- Ethics, Rights and Accountability

13.3%

- Socioeconomic, Political, and Global Contexts

0.0%

Management Function Subjects

0.0%

- Public Financial Management

0.0%

- Evaluation and Performance Measurement

0.0%

- Other Management Functions

0.0%

Policy Sector Subjects

13.3%

- Macroeconomic Policy

13.3%

- International Development

0.0%

- Health

0.0%

- Other Policy Sectors

0.0%

Total

100%

Competency Gap Analysis (in Course-Weeks of Instruction)

Course-Weeks in Core Subjects taken by Typical Student

144

Surplus or Shortfall Relative to Core Competency Requirement

- Policy and Management Analysis (CCR = 18 course-weeks)

1

- Economic Analysis (CCR = 12)

-2

- Quantitative Methods (CCR = 12)

7

- Analytic Methods (CCR = 6)

13

- Leadership Skills (CCR = 9)

1

- Communication Skills (CCR = 3 courses)

7

- Democratic Institutions and Policy Process (CCR = 18)

1

- Ethics, Rights and Accountability (CCR = 6 courses)

13

- Socioeconomic and Political Context (CCR = 6)

-6

- Global Context (CCR = 3)

-3

- Public Financial Management (CCR = 6)

-6

- Evaluation and Performance Measurement (CCR = 6)

-6

- Human Resource Management (CCR = 3)

-3

- Information and Technology Management (CCR = 3)

-3

- Macroeconomic Policy (CCR = 6)

13

- Environment and Sustainability (CCR = 3)

-3

Subject-Matter Shortfall for Typical Student (Sum of Shortfalls)

-32

Additional Parameters

Total Courses Listed

13

Courses Designated as Required (inc. Specialization Reqs)

12.0

Archetypal Public Affairs Subjects (P&MA, EA, QM, DI&PP)

46.7%

Archetypal International Affairs Subjects (GC, ID, DS&FR)

0.0%

Source: At http://www.cpp.csap.cam.ac.uk/mpp/ (accessed 11 October 2013 and 6 October 2014).

Page Created By: Khilola B. Zakhidova on 10 October 2013 and updated by Ian Clark on 6 October 2014 and by Dave Marshall on 3 April 2015. Last updated by Ian Clark on 21 May 2015..

Cambridge POLIS MPP Course Map
C o u r s e s O f f e r e d l i s t e d b y P u b l i c P o l i c y a n d M a n a g e m e n t S u b j e c t

Analysis and Skills

Policy and Management Analysis

Systems (R)

Economic Analysis

Topics in Economic Policy (0.5R)

Quantitative Methods

Statistics (R)

Analytic Methods

Scientific Method and the Nature of Evidence (R)

Communication Skills

Media (0.5R)

Leadership Skills

Social Intelligence and it Application (0.5R)

Multiples Subjects

Capstone Courses, Internships, Major Projects, Theses, etc.

	Independent Research (R)
	Policy Analysis Exercise (2R)
	Work Placement (1.5R)

Institutions and Context

Democratic Institutions and Policy Process

Politics and Law (R)

Ethics, Rights and Accountability

Philosophy and Public Affairs (R)

Social and Political Context

Intergovernmental and Global Context

Management Functions

Public Financial Management

Evaluation and Performance Measurement

Human Resource Management

Information Management and Technology

Program and Service Delivery

Regulatory Policy and Management

Nonprofit Management and Advocacy

MPP Lecture List 14-15 (from http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/Graduates/mphil-in-public-policy/mpp-timetable-2014-15-1/view, accessed 21 May 2015)

M.PHIL IN PUBLIC POLICY

Departmental Contact: Mr David Howarth (e-mail: drh20@cam.ac.uk) or Dr Finbarr Livesey (tfl20@cam.ac.uk) All seminars will take place in the Alison Richard Building (ARB)
7 West Road, unless otherwise stated.

MICHAELMAS 2014 LENT 2015 EASTER 2015

INTRODUCTION TO POLICY ANALYSIS METHODS

DR F. LIVESEY

Seminars: Mon 11-1

(Eight seminars, beginning 13 Oct. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ITS APPLICATION

DR D. GOOD

Seminars: Mon 4-5

(Four seminars, beginning 10 Nov. Weeks 5-8)

Room 1, 13 King’s Parade

THE MEDIA

PROF J. NAUGHTON

Seminars: Tues 9-11

(Four seminars, beginning 14 Oct. Weeks 1-4)

ARB Room S, Sidgwick Site

POLITICAL AND LEGAL INSTITUTIONS

MR D. HOWARTH

Seminars: Tues 2-4

(Eight seminars, beginning 14 Oct. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

STATISTICAL THINKING

DR S. BIRD & DR F. LIVESEY

Seminars: Wed 10-12 (Weeks 1-7), Fri 2-4 (Week 8)

(Eight seminars, beginning 15 Oct. Weeks 1-9)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

CASE STUDY: GLOBAL RESPONSE TO DEMENTIA

DR F. LIVESEY

Seminars: Wed.2-4

(Eight seminars, beginning 15 Oct. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room S1, Sidgwick Site

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Dr F. Livesey & Dr N Mintz-Habib

Seminars: Thu 10-12

(Eight seminars, beginning 9 Oct. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room SG2 (Weeks 1,2, 4-7), Room S1 (Weeks 3 & 8), Sidgwick Site

MACROECONOMICS: THEORY AND POLICY

PROF P. ARESTIS

Seminars: Thu. 2-4 (Weeks 1-7)-

Thurs 10-12 (Week 9)

(Eight seminars, beginning 9 Oct. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room S1, Sidgwick Site

Optional course: THE LAW AND ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT

Prof N DImitri

Seminars: Fri 11-12.30pm

(Four seminars, beginning 17Oct. Weeks 2, 3, 4 & 8)

ARB Room 138, Sidgwick Site

PHILOSOPHY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

PROF A. OLIVER

Seminars: Mon 11-1

(Eight seminars, beginning 19 Jan. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

SCIENTIFIC METHODS AND THE NATURE OF EVIDENCE

DR R. DOUBLEDAY and DR B. EARLEY

Seminars: Mon 2-4

(Eight seminars, beginning 19 Jan. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

TOPICS IN ECONOMIC POLICY

PROF J. MCCOMBIE

Seminars: Tues 2-4

(Four seminars, beginning 20 Jan. Weeks 1-4)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

CASE STUDY: REGULATING HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY

DR M. GOODWIN

Seminars: Wed 10-12

(Eight seminars, beginning 21 Jan. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

SYSTEMS

PROF R.ANDERSON

Seminars: Thu 10-12

(Four seminars, beginning 15 Jan. Weeks 1-6)

FW26, Computer Lab, West Cambridge Site

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Dr F. Livesey & Dr N Mintz-Habib

Seminars: Fri 11-1

(Eight seminars, beginning 16 Jan. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room S2, Sidgwick Site

CASE STUDY: CLIMATE CHANGE

MR D.HOWARTH

Seminars: Thu 10-12

(Eight seminars, beginning 23 Apr. Weeks 1-8)

ARB Room SG2, Sidgwick Site

POLICY ANALYSIS EXERCISE-

8-15 May. Further details TBC.

Note: Additional introductory course offerings take place in Week 0 of the Michaelmas Term. Teaching in Lent commences on Monday of Week 0 of term.
Lectures are open to all members of the university. Seminars are open to members of the course only.

Policy Sectors

Cambridge POLIS

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Policy and Management Analysis

Economic Analysis

Quantitative Methods

Analytic Methods

Communication Skills

Leadership Skills

Capstone Courses, Internships, Major Projects, Theses, etc.

Democratic Institutions and Policy Process

Ethics, Rights and Accountability

Social and Political Context

Intergovernmental and Global Context

Public Financial Management

Evaluation and Performance Measurement

Human Resource Management

Information Management and Technology

Program and Service Delivery

Regulatory Policy and Management

Nonprofit Management and Advocacy

MPP Lecture List 14-15 (from http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/Graduates/mphil-in-public-policy/mpp-timetable-2014-15-1/view, accessed 21 May 2015)

Macroeconomic Policy

International Development

Social Policy and Welfare

Health

Education

Employment, Labour and Immigration

Cities, Urban and Regional Development

Environment and Sustainability

Agriculture and Resources

Science, Technology and Innovation

Industry, Trade and Investment

Energy, Transport and Infrastructure

Defence, Security and Foreign Relations

Policing and Justice Administration

Arts and Culture

Financial Markets

Other Policy Sectors

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MPP Lecture List 14-15 (from http://www.polis.cam.ac.uk/Graduates/mphil-in-public-policy/mpp-timetable-2014-15-1/view, accessed 21 May 2015)

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