Home

Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy MSc

Distance learning programme

This fully online MSc will provide you with expertise in policy and science, technology, and engineering innovations necessary to drive effective governance and impactful change. The programme’s interdisciplinary and practice-based approach prepares future decision-makers and policymakers to tackle complex global challenges.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
£10,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

As a minimum, an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university; or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants may apply from a variety of backgrounds including (but not limited to) science and technology, engineering, social sciences and the humanities.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


This course prepares you to become a future decision-maker with the skills to address global challenges by mobilising science, technology, and engineering through policy. 

Designed for flexibility, this fully online programme can be studied from anywhere in the world, full-time, part-time or through modular/flexible study (taking at most five years). 

As a graduate, you’ll understand options for regulating fast-changing technology, use diplomacy to navigate stakeholder concerns, and communicate and engage with science, technology, engineering and public audiences. 
You’ll learn to develop and implement policies through conceptual frameworks, interdisciplinary evidence, and analytical methods. You’ll also focus on leading effective change and the development of professional policy skills throughout the course. 

Engage with leading UCL academics, policy practitioners, industry experts and leading UCL researchers, in applying insights to real-world problems from diverse and contemporary issues such as environmental can change, urbanisation, and technological revolutions, preparing you to manage complexity and uncertainty in policymaking.

Who this course is for

This programme is ideally suited for recent graduates or those looking to continue their professional development on their terms and in a flexible way. This online MSc will prepare students for careers in policymaking or within science, technology and engineering.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers the following benefits:

  • Develop your skills alongside renowned academics across UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP). UCL is University of the Year 2024 (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
  • Learn to gather evidence and evaluate knowledge to support policy decision-making and develop innovative science, technology and engineering policies.
  • Strengthen your understanding of conceptual frameworks and practical tools to assess, evaluate, and implement policies. 
  • Establish a valuable network of contacts and collaborators from across UCL STEaPP’s broad range of policy practitioners, industry experts, UCL researchers, alumni and academics.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme
Making an impact
UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Case study: Growing greener

We're exploring how agro-industries in sub-Saharan Africa could contribute to improving rural energy access.

The foundation of your career

This MSc programme will prepare you with the skills to enter a career in anything from policy, government, technology management, social research and analysis, science communication, academia or within an NGO.

Employability

This course will kickstart your career in policy making or leadership. Graduates are equipped with professional policy skills to mobilise science and engineering, regulate fast-changing technologies, and lead impactful change.

You will critically apply social science research methods and policy analytic tools to real-world problems from day one, meaning you will have the skills, knowledge and networks to be able to go on to create and implement effective policy solutions.

Networking

Students will benefit from various networking opportunities throughout the degree including:

  • Engaging with UCL academics, policy practitioners and industry experts throughout various modules.
  • Participation in relevant departmental, faculty and university talks and events.
  • Participation in relevant STEaPP research clusters. 
  • Opportunities for co-publishing within the Faculty.

Teaching and learning

As a distance-learning programme, all learning materials and activities will be provided online through the virtual learning environment.

You will be able to access the course content anytime and anywhere, with most learning activities being self-paced and on your own time. There will also be live sessions and discussion boards so you can keep in touch with peers and academics, and one-to-one contact with your designated staff tutor throughout your studies will help you achieve your personal learning goals.

You will be assessed through a variety of different means including coursework, essays, presentations, oral examinations and a project dissertation.

This is a distance learning and flexible course meaning that you can create a programme that works for you and your schedule. However, as a rule of thumb, per module, we suggest that students spend 40 hours on their e-learning activities over one term. There will be additional independent reading and assignments.

Full-time MSc students can expect to spend approximately 16 hours per week on e-learning activities plus 20 hours on independent reading and study during term time.

Modules

The one-year full-time MSc programme consists of nine taught modules plus a 45-credit dissertation module.

You will study four modules in First Term (two core and two optional modules) and four in Second Term (two core and two optional modules). Third Term and summer are designated for a Research Methods module and the dissertation project component.

The part-time programme is split over two years.

In Year One, you will study five modules: two modules in First Term, two in Second Term and one in Third Term.

In Year Two, you will study a further four modules (two in each of the first two terms) and complete a 45-credit dissertation project over Third Term and the summer.

Modular/flexible students may take up to five years to complete the programme. 

Within this period, you may choose which and how many modules you will take in a given academic year, with the exception that MSc students must take the Research Methods module before or in the same academic year as the Dissertation project.

At the start of the year, you will select and register for the modules that you wish to take. Taught modules occur during UCL's First and Second Terms, and the Research Methods and Dissertation modules are available for completion during Third Term each year.

The full programme comprises nine taught 15-credit modules and one 45-credit dissertation module.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules








Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Two students walking past UCL Engineering Roberts building smiling

Based in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, STEaPP is committed to mobilising science, technology, engineering and policy expertise to help change the world for the better. The Department brings together policymakers, industry and academia to design innovative solutions to society’s biggest challenges, from sustainable development to health innovation. The Department is located in Bloomsbury, in the heart of London, with some teaching also taking place at the new UCL East campus, on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. As a member of our university community, you will also have access to top-tier resources and study spaces, such as UCL’s award-winning Student Centre and 18 specialist libraries.

Find out more

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500 £10,250

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no programme-specific additional costs for this programme, but you will need your own device with camera and microphone capabilities to access online learning materials and engage in online activities and assessments.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

When assessing your application, the MSc Admissions Panel are particularly looking to understand:

  • why you want to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy at graduate level
  • what particularly attracts you to the programme at UCL
  • where you would like to go with your degree and how the MSc fits with your career goals

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy
Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy

steapp.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.