ObjectivesPublic Affairs, lobbying and political consultancy are attractive careers for many graduates. Careers in this field are either in dedicated departments within large companies or, more commonly, within specialist consultancy firms. This programme will provide both academic and practical training to assist you in pursuing a career in these exciting professions. Designed in conjunction with leading Public Affairs companies, the programme includes an integrated internship with a Public Affairs consultancy in either London or Brussels, which will provide graduates with significant advantages to pursue such a career. Overall, the programme offers a unique combination of advanced academic knowledge and practical experience, and will provide graduates with the opportunity to develop a career in Public Affairs.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements You should have a good honours degree (2.1 or above) or an equivalent overseas qualification. All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. If English is not your first language then applicants must have IELTS 6.5 (with no section less than 5.0) or TOEFL 237/585 (with a minimum TWE of 4.5 or above).
Academic titlePublic Affairs and Lobbying MSc
Course descriptionCourse Summary
Public Affairs, lobbying and political consultancy are attractive careers for many graduates. Designed in conjunction with leading Public Affairs companies, the programme includes an integrated internship with a Public Affairs consultancy in either London or Brussels, which will provide graduates with significant advantages to pursue such a career. Overall, the programme offers a unique combination of advanced academic knowledge and practical experience, and will provide graduates with the opportunity to develop a career in Public Affairs.
Course Details
The course is offered on a full-time basis and is taught over two fifteen-week terms. Each term comprises three modules taught through a programme of formal lectures, directed reading, seminars and, where appropriate, workshops. The course consists of five core modules and one elective. Students will also attend periodic presentations made by Public Affairs professionals. For successful completion of the programme, the student is required to undertake an internship of at least three months with a Public Affairs employer. Upon completion of the internship, both the students and employer submit final reports.
Internship and Internship Report
All students are required to undertake an internship of at least three months with a Public Affairs employer. This is usually arranged by the Brunel Business School and takes place in London or Brussels. During the course of the placement, you and your employer will liaise with a dedicated internship tutor to ensure that appropriate progress is being made. At the end of the internship, both you and your employer will submit reports. Outstanding students on this programme have been offered further employment with their placement organisations.
Typical Modules
Core
European Union Public Policy
Deals with the institutions and public policy developments in the EU. It introduces a range of theoretical accounts of how European-level public policy has developed and examines the implications of European integration for public policy in the member states.
Policy Analysis
Analyses the actors, processes and stages involved in formulating and implementing public policies. It explores a range of models for analysing the policy process and considers these in the context of current public policy issues.
Marketing
Presents a strategic approach to marketing management through both theoretical underpinnings and contemporary marketing challenges. It develops skills in marketing orientation and evolution, marketing planning, integrated marketing, services marketing, international marketing and Internet marketing in a variety of private, public and charitable sector settings.
International Business Ethics
Explores business ethics, corporate social responsibility and governance in an international context addressing issues from both 'business' and 'society' viewpoints. Covers topics such as moral culture, cross-cultural ethics, international systems of governance and regulation, professional ethics, and ethics in various sized firms.
Structures of Governance
Analyses devolution and federalism and their impact on public and social policy. It explores ongoing reforms to different structures of governance, including local and corporate governance, and introduces debates about regulation and the role of the courts.
Dissertation
Elective
One module to be taken from those available at the time of entry. The list currently includes:
Parties and Voters in the United Kingdom
Main topics of study: party systems in the UK; structured identities and voting; rational choice and voting; issue voting; economic voting; the impact of electoral systems;
the impact of national and constituency campaigning; electoral turnout; party ideologies; party organisation and finance; party members; measurement in psephology.
European Union Law
Business and Environmental Sustainability
Globalisation
Special Features
All full-time students are required to undertake an internship of at least three months with a Public Affairs employer. This is usually arranged by the Brunel Business School and takes place in London or Brussels. During the course of the placement, you and your employer will liaise with a dedicated internship tutor to ensure that appropriate progress is being made. At the end of the internship, both you and your employer will submit reports. Outstanding students on this programme have been offered further employment with their placement organisations. The internsip is for full-time students only, as part-time students must be employed in the sector prior to commencing the course.
Assessment
Two modes of assessment operate on this programme. Some modules are assessed by coursework and an advance notice examination, each counting for 50% of the marks. Other modules are assessed 100% by coursework.
Awards
A Master's degree is awarded if you reach the necessary standard on the taught part of the course and submit a dissertation of the required standard. The pass grade for all modules and the dissertation is 50%. Students are normally required to pass all the required taught modules before being permitted to proceed to the dissertation. If you do not achieve the standard required, you may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate if eligible.
Internship Report
All students are required to undertake an internship of at least three months with a Public Affairs employer. During the course of the placement, the student and employer will liaise with a dedicated internship tutor to ensure that appropriate progress is being made. At the end of the internship, both the student and employer will submit reports.
Teaching Methods
The taught part of the course is delivered across two terms (autumn and spring). The placement usually occurs in the third term (summer) and the dissertation work will begin in your fourth term (autumn) and be submitted at the end of 15 months of study.