MSc Evaluation and Policy Analysis

This course is designed to provide the specialist knowledge and skills needed for a career working in evaluation and quantitative analysis of public and voluntary services.

COURSE OVERVIEW

In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the use of evaluation and quantitative analysis. Commissioners of public services, and public, voluntary and private sector service providers have been required to justify more rigorously their proposed use of public funds and to demonstrate the effectiveness of previous interventions to justify future plans. Working as an evaluator in this environment requires skills in quantitative methods and the ability to evaluate interventions rigorously, using a combination of primary research methods such as surveys and interviews and administrative data. This course aims to provide a core foundation in a wide range of research methods with a clear emphasis on quantitative methods, and specialist understanding and skills in evaluation. The opportunity will also be available to study cutting-edge methods such as randomised control trials and address current challenges around complexity.

It is also important that people working in these careers have an understanding of the decision-making and policy context for their work. This course will therefore provide an introduction to the economics of public policy, as well as the opportunity to take core units in aspects of public policy such as housing, criminal justice, poverty and inequality and health and social care.

You will be taught by academics based in the Policy Evaluation Research Unit (PERU), an internationally recognised evaluation and policy-research unit with particular expertise in quantitative evaluation. PERU members have a 12-year track record of research in the UK and Europe and links with institutions in the US and South East Asia. It regularly undertakes evaluations for UK government departments, national NGOs, local government and other local delivery organisations. It also has a track record of delivering applied research and evaluation projects in Europe. Watch this video to find out more.

These international contacts and this practical and research experience will directly influence what you are taught, with the content of the course drawing on global evaluation and policy case studies. All of this means that you will be learning at the cutting edge of the latest developments in evaluation and policy analysis.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Designed to accommodate people who work and cannot re-locate to Manchester face-to-face teaching takes place in three or four short, intensive periods on campus combined with regular lectures and seminars on-line throughout the academic year.
• Taught by research-active academics with expertise in quantitative evaluation and a 12-year track record of research in the UK and Europe, and links with institutions in the US and South East Asia.
• Take advantage of a rich programme of guest lectures from industry contacts and build your own professional network.
• Opportunity to undertake projects in real world settings through the connections PERU has with public and voluntary sector organisations.
• In your final project explore an evaluation and/or policy issue that is relevant to your career goals and be supported to achieve real-world impact on policy and practice.

CAREER PROSPECTS

This course will be of interest to you if you are looking to develop a career in evaluation and quantitative analysis. The demand for these skills can be seen across commissioning organisations including local authorities and health commissioners, providers in the public, voluntary and private sectors, and specialist agencies that provide evaluation services to commissioners and providers.