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 deliver effective governance and drive impactful change. The programme’s interdisciplinary, globally-oriented and practice-driven approach prepares future and emerging decision and policy makers and shapers to tackle complex global challenges. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Distance learning only. Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£22,000
£11,000
Distance learning only. Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
All applicants: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
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. Academic entrance requirements may be waived in cases where individuals can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills have been acquired through alternative pathways, such as relevant professional experience. Each such case is subject to thorough review and approval by UCL.

The English language level for this course 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 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).  

You’ll be exposed to a unique breadth and depth of contemporary issues from across policy, science, technology and engineering. You’ll learn to develop and implement policies through conceptual frameworks, interdisciplinary evidence, and analytical methods, while reflecting on the social, ethical and human dimensions that shape decision making.  

As a graduate, you’ll understand options for regulating fast-changing technology, use diplomacy to navigate stakeholder concerns, and communicate and engage with technical, policy and public audiences.  

Join leading UCL academics and a global student body in applying insights to diverse real-world problems such as environmental change, urbanisation, and technological revolutions, preparing you to manage complexity in policymaking and drive impactful change. 

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 consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the QS World University Rankings 2026), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers worldwide.
  • 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

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, influencing 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 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

Throughout this programme, you'll have opportunities to connect and collaborate with diverse professional contacts by: 

  • Building links with a community of global learners from diverse contexts. 
  • Engaging with UCL academics and experts throughout your modules. 
  • Participating in relevant departmental, faculty and university talks and events. 
  • Following opportunities for co-publishing your dissertation research with UCL faculty. 
  • Joining UCL STEaPP’s vibrant alumni network of change makers. 

Teaching and learning

As an asynchronous distance-learning programme, all study materials and activities will be provided online through UCL’s digital learning platform. Here, you will be able to access course content anytime from anywhere, with most learning activities being self-paced and for completion at a time that suits you and your schedule. 

Each week of term, you will have a series of structured study activities to work through alongside recommended independent reading. Although the course is asynchronous, interaction and peer-to-peer learning are key features, with regular discussion tasks, asynchronous group work and scenarios, and peer sharing and review. Additional synchronous support is available through weekly office hours held by teaching staff, optional events and talks, and regular contact with your designated tutor, helping you achieve your personal learning goals.  

Your online assessments will occur throughout the year and are integrated with or follow immediately after relevant module learning activities. You will be assessed through a variety of different means including coursework assignments, synchronous presentations and oral examinations, and a project dissertation. Where synchronous assessment methods are used, wherever possible and reasonable, staff will work with you to find a time for your assessment within a one- or two-day window that works for you.

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, you will be expected to study for 8-10 hours per module per week. This includes tutor-set e-learning activities and independent study of course readings and assessment tasks.

Full-time students should plan to dedicate 36-40 hours to studying each week, while part-time students will spend 18-20 hours. Modular/flexible students' study hours vary based on their chosen modules, ranging from 8 to 40 hours per week.

Modules

The full-time 12-month MSc programme consists of nine taught modules plus a dissertation module. You will study four modules in Term 1 (two core and two optional) and four in Term 2 (two core and two optional). Term 3 and summer are designated for Research Methods plus your dissertation project component. 

The part-time programme is split over two years. In Year 1, you will study five modules: two in Term 1, two in Term 2  and one in Term 3. In Year 2, you will study a further four modules and complete your dissertation over the summer. 

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

Within this period, you will choose which and how many modules to take in a given academic year. Taught modules occur during Terms 1 and 2, and the Research Methods and Dissertation modules occur during Term 3 and the summer period.  

Compulsory modules








Optional modules






Science and Engineering Policy Practice


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

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £22,000 £11,000

Distance learning only. Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 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.

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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

Sparck AI Scholarship

Value: Full tuition fees plus £22,780 stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

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 study with UCL's Department of STEaPP
  • Your commitment to and understanding of the approach and content of the programme
  • 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 courses (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: 2026-2027

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.