Teaching and learning

This MPA programme blends traditional and contemporary teaching and learning methods, including lecture style content delivered asynchronously online and synchronously in class, which is used to contextualise learning and encourage class discussion and debate. Face-to-face class time is focused on facilitated engagement between students, module leads and guest speakers and small group activities. In the term one core module, students select their own independent topic to develop a substantive research paper on. Students also undertake a week-long scenario activity on the policy-making process where they engage with external experts and UCL academics. In the term two core module, students work through an extended case study, selected for its contemporary relevance to the MPA. In term three students undertake a major project on a policy challenge for a real-world client, or undertake their own individual project independently or with an existing employer. These experiences, in combination, seek to provide a realistic training experience which will effectively equip students for their chosen careers.

The MPA is highly interdisciplinary and brings together students from a range of backgrounds to tackle complex policy challenges. The teaching approach provided by STEaPP is both experiential and applied, focusing on developing candidates’ skills and responsibility for building justice and equity in chosen domains. The MPA programmes are professional degrees, that will allow candidates to build not only competencies and knowledge but networks that will be of tremendous value throughout their careers.

The programmes combine practice-oriented classroom teaching methods with scenario-based learning, enabling candidates to engage with real-world policy challenges that matter to them personally. These scenarios and simulations are designed to help candidates consolidate their knowledge, develop essential practical skills and test their understanding of principles – preparing candidates to be an influential policy actor.

Candidates will be assessed primarily through a series of problem-oriented projects (including both presentational components and submitted materials), complemented by short written assignments, scenarios and simulations. The final project will include a longer written report, often for or with a professional partner organisation.

In terms one and two students have on average 12 - 13 contact hours a week with staff. Modules (four are studied each term) have either two hours of lectures and one hour of tutorials or three hours of lectures. In addition, there will be independent study and group work. In term three the timetable will be lighter although there will be set times for MPA group project and MPA individual project supervision and support.