Curriculum

Teaching and learning

Teaching of the modules will comprise of in person lectures, seminars and classes. These will be recorded for part-time students who are not able to be in attendance. Additionally, students will attend panel discussions and debates where they will be actively challenged, and their new skills put to the test.

• Lectures will be given by professors and policy professionals who have a recognised expertise in the field of study.
• Masterclasses / seminars will be delivered by external speakers with specialist experience or knowledge.
• Every student will have the support of an assigned supervisor throughout their course, and will meet with them three times a term, either in person or online. This will be pro-rata for part-time students. A key focus of these supervisions will be to support students with their research and writing of their dissertation
• Students will be expected to undertake personal study and exploration of material; and work with peers in small groups. They will also be encouraged to attend drop-in sessions and an informal student forums.
• Course materials (i.e. formative exercises) will be provided on course Moodle page, and all readings will be available online. There will also be discussion boards made available on Moodle.

Students will be encouraged to undertake additional skills training, provided by CaRM, the University’s interdisciplinary programme providing training in research methods for postgraduate students and staff at the University of Cambridge.

Course structure: Full-time study

• The course is structured around eight modules which are taught across the Michaelmas and Lent Terms. Each module will be taught for two hours a week, for eight weeks. The focus of the Easter Term will be the writing up of a dissertation.
• The course also includes additional drop-in sessions for economics and for R/Data science; and an optional and non-assessed Policy Masterclass (shared with the MPhil in Public Policy), featuring a program of talks, mentoring, and workshops with policy practitioners and experts, which takes place across all three terms.

Assessments

Students will be assessed on eight modules taught across the Michaelmas and Lent Terms.

• The six core modules will each be assessed by the submission of an essay of no more than 3,000 words in length. Each of these essays will have a 10% weighting.
• The Data Science in R/Python for Policymakers and Professional Skills for Policymakers modules will be formatively assessedthrough in-class exercises and presentations. The results of these assessments will not count towards your final mark.

Additionally, students will be required to complete a dissertation on a topic agreed with their supervisor and approved by the Degree Committee. The dissertation will have a 40% weighting.

Passing Grade: The pass mark is 60%. A Distinction requires a final average of 75% or higher. All components must be passed to obtain the degree.

Teaching timetable: Michaelmas term

Teaching timetable: Lent term

Teaching timetable: Easter term

Year 1

Pre-term (September – online)

Optional preparatory material (Policy): This will take the form of an introduction to a current policy issue, with relevant background reading/video material on both policy and technical issues.

Michaelmas term (in person attendance)

Lent term (hybrid attendance)

Easter term (remote attendance)

Year 2

Pre-term (September – online)

Optional preparatory material (Technical skills): This will take the form of an introduction to a current policy issue, with relevant background reading/video material on both policy and technical issues.

Michaelmas term (hybrid attendance)

Lent term (in person attendance)

Easter term (remote)

Core Modules

Government and politics in the digital era: This module explores decision-making in the context of rapid technological change causing multiple overlapping policy challenges. It lays the foundations for critical evaluation and analysis of the interests, ideas, and institutions that shape key policy decisions.

Digital economics I: This module introduces the basic economics of digital markets and platforms, and how these shape key issues in policy, law & economic regulation of the economy. These may for example include intellectual property, universal service obligations, and labour market regulation. 

Policy analysis: This module identifies common frameworks for discussing and analysing policy choices, exploring tensions that exist between governing frameworks and the realities of day-to-day decisions, including managing the uncertainties associated with assessing evidence and engaging with experts.

Data science in R/Python for policymakers: This module introduces basics of accessing and using data and approaches to coding, including how to use generative AI; and issues in data use such as biases and missing data

Digital economics II: This module builds on the first term, covering digital platforms, market dynamics, competition, and the implications for market power, innovation, productivity and growth. 

Using digital and AI technologies in the public sector: This module explores how digital technologies can be used to improve the quality and efficiency of the public sector, and how technology interacts with frameworks of governance and accountability in policy contexts.  

Governance for responsible AI: The technologies around AI have progressed far more rapidly than the governance and regulatory frameworks relevant to their safety and their contribution to society and the economy. This module addresses the AI governance debates and introduces students to the considerations involved in ensuring the responsible deployment of AI.

Professional skills for policymakers: focuses on core skills of communication, which is central to all aspects of effective public policy: writing in different formats, presenting data clearly, presenting, and working with media and social media.

Dissertation: Students will be required to submit an independent research paper (of between 10,000 to 15,000 words in length), on a research question proposed by the candidate, which will be subject to the approval of the Degree Committee. Part-time students will start working on this in Year 1 and will submit it at the end of Year 2.

Additional student events 

The MPhil in Digital Policy course will be further enriched by panel discussions, debates, seminars as well as simulations, in which students will be actively challenged and their new skills put to the test. The course will draw upon the vast expertise and experience of practitioners and the many Cambridge graduates in the world of politics and government to enhance the course.