Dr Mark Bennister - Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Politics
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MSc Politics, Policy and Leadership
This programme is designed to understand more about what constitutes effective leadership, how it is evaluated and applied. Designed around a series of modules facilitated by academic and practitioner teams, the focus is on evaluating evidence from research and practice in live settings, case studies and consultancy problems. Students will bring their own organisational experience to the course, if appropriate, and will also benefit from masterclasses with relevant speakers.
Using a range of policy and delivery challenges that cut across disciplinary, geographic, organisational and sectoral boundaries, we critically reflect on how insights into theory and practice can generate and sustain individual development, organisational improvement and enhanced public outcomes. This programme champions the creation of public value and an ethical engagement with the multiple interests involved in public, private and third sector collaborations.
The programme draws on a range of subject specialisms within the School of Social and Political Sciences and connects students with tutors who have research expertise in the area and can support students on their personal research and career paths.
How You Study
Students learning will be based around two hour, small group workshop sessions, with an interactive and participatory approach.
There will be a blend of the scholarly and the practice-based, with students engaging with up-to-date academic literature and participating in practices suited to political leadership, such as public-speaking, writing policy briefs, and decision-making exercises.
A further innovative aspect of the programme is that students will engage with practitioners in a dedicated Political Leadership in Practice module which will feature visiting speakers from different branches of political practice. Using the experience of senior academics, who have experience in the public leadership realm, key actors will contribute knowledge and work based learning to the programme.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
The programme is designed to expose students to a range of different forms of assessment and to develop a range of academic, professional, and work-relevant skills such as public speaking.
Students will have the chance to develop written communication skills through essays, report writing, and independent study, all of which are designed to expand students' skills in professional and academic writing. Oral communication skills are also assessed, for example, through a video podcast on one of the optional modules, enabling students to improve their public presentation and public speaking abilities.
The development of high-level research skills is a central feature of the programme and students will be expected to develop these through the core research methods modules and apply such methods in the final project. Further research skills are also embedded in assessments throughout other core and optional modules.
Critical, analytical, and reflexive thinking are central to all assessments. IT skills are embedded in many modules and include word processing, digital data management and presentation, statistical data handling, the use of electronic search engines, and other resources.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
Research
The School of Social and Political Sciences is the only politics department in the country to have had two members of staff holding parliamentary fellowships in the House of Commons plus another fellowship in the Scottish Parliament. The University has established ParliLinc – The Lincoln Parliamentary Research Centre, based in the School. Links with the Houses of Parliament are strong, in terms of Visiting Professor Paul Evans and support from prominent members of the House of Lords. Key members of the teaching team have worked in politics (House of Commons, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, US politics). The School has been at the heart of developing policy impact via the Lincoln Policy Hub and also has good links with the local authority and local voluntary sector organisations.
The School is able to draw on research expertise in intelligence and security, political economy, social policy, counter terrorism, feminism in addition to political leadership. The cross disciplinary nature of the School means that researchers benefit from an environment that draws on major funded research projects including on global ethics, suicide, and young fathers.
Placements
Students have the option to undertake a project-based module in the third term which will require students to complete a reflective project in an appropriate professional setting. Alternatively, students can choose to complete a research dissertation.
Features
The programme will draw on established links with practitioners and experts to gain a practice based understanding of public and political leadership. The academics involved all have expertise supporting public leaders and guest leaders have experience as public leaders.
Your Future Career
The programme is designed to develop specialist subject knowledge relevant to careers in a wide range of areas, such as the voluntary and public sectors. Students have the opportunity to develop a set of transferable skills relevant to roles in social research and public leadership in addition to skills vital for further academic study at doctoral level. The programme is also designed to enhance your current skills, if you are in a public leadership position or are seeking to develop your understanding of public leadership in a professional setting.
The University Careers and Employability Team can provide students with tailored, individual support, and careers advice. The service can include one-to-one coaching, CV advice, and interview preparation. Alumni can continue to access support and advice for up to fifteen months after graduating. The service works closely with local, national, and international employers, acting as a gateway to the business world.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
First or second class honours degree in a relevant subject.
Candidates holding other qualifications or substantial relevant work experience may be considered on an individual basis.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to University of Lincoln IELTS entry requirements (6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element).
Students who do not meet the above IELTS requirements may be able to/required to take part in one of the University's pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
Find out More