Curriculum

*Please note that parts of the programme evolve from year to year, so while this figure and the descriptions above gives a good indication of the programme content for 2026-27, individual components may change in future years.

Modules

The skills required to be an effective policy actor are very broad and the five modules of the MPP reflect this breadth. Each module is an assessed component of the programme and provides a different perspective for you on the what, how and the why of policy choices. Module leaders are experts from the Department and the wider University.

• Introduction to Policy Analysis
• Economics of Public Policy
• Politics and Public Policy
• Science, Evidence and Policy
• Statistical Thinking

Case Studies

Public policy ranges across issue areas with each policy area having its own dynamics, history, evidence, and politics. While students will have specific interests, it is important to provide a comparative set of cases from which students can draw lessons on how each issue evolves and the types of approaches that were used to achieve improvements in a given area.

Our case studies are led by an expert in the topic and delivered as a pair of two-hour seminars. Four case studies are delivered in both the Michaelmas and Lent Terms covering a range of areas to familiarise the student with various areas and also to give students a broad choice of areas for more in-depth analysis (for assessment purposes, students will select one case study from each of the Michaelmas and Lent Term offerings to focus on, turning in two 3,000 word written pieces, based on their chosen topics.)

Supervised Dissertation

Students will be required to write a dissertation between 10,000-15,000 words in length (including footnotes and appendices, but excluding a bibliography) on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.

Students will be required to choose either a research track or professional track focus by Week 4 of the first term. The professional track will include a work placement element (either sourced by the student or from a selection provided by the Department), and the research track will include a research colloquium and access to the Department’s Brown Bag Seminars.

Skills Development

Professional Skills & Ethics and Policy Modules

As a practice oriented graduate degree we have included a set of sessions across all three terms to help students develop their skills in four critical areas:

• Writing for policy
• Presenting policy ideas
• Managing media interviews
• Negotiating policy outcomes

These four areas will be explored through short introductory lectures, practical exercises, and group discussions. Students will also review one another’s work and develop a broad perspective on approaches to writing, presenting and negotiating policies. These sessions are intended to help students make the journey from analysis to influence, from having the core skills in policy analysis (such as regression analysis) to having the extended skills of writing effectively and presenting persuasively. This component of the course is not assessed, but attendance is mandatory.

Policy Analysis Exercise 

The Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) is a 5 day group simulation exercise held later in the Easter term to integrate the skills and issues that the students have been working with over the Michaelmas and Lent terms and, while not assessed, is a key element to bring the course together.  Students work in assigned groups and manage their own time and leadership structure to respond to a significant policy challenge presented to them on the first day of the exercise.

The PAE is delivered in partnership with a major governmental department or international organisation to work on a current ‘live’ topic, so that students have the experience on working on an issue in real time. Examples of past PAE’s include working refugee integration into the economy of Jordan with the UNDP, creating climate action policies in partnership with The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and most recently developing business dynamism in Europe and Central Asia’s low- and middle-income countries with The World Bank.

The simulation begins with a briefing from the client organisation, setting the terms of the problem and the question they need answered. Students are then divided into teams and provided with a significant amount of background material. Through the week experts from academia, government and the wider policy community provide briefings to assist the students in developing their responses.

The simulation ends with each team providing a presentation to the client, as well as delivering a 12-page report summarising their recommendation and analysis. A prize is awarded each year for winning and runner-up group, and is presented during the End of Year Dinner at the end of the Easter term.

Beyond the core MPP course

MPP Student Forum 

The Cambridge MPP attracts students from around the world and typically our students have between two- and five-years’ experience (some more, some less) in the public sector, the not-for-profit sector, or the private sector. Students are offered the choice to run their own MPP Forum on a weekly basis structured as they see fit to share experience, knowledge and future plans (this component is elective and not assessed). 

MPP students from the previous cohorts have themselves taken the initiative to organise their own regular workshop at which matters of common interest have been discussed and speakers invited. The teaching staff offer whatever support for it they can, including booking a room on a weekly basis and providing other support for the class as part of these meetings.

Bennett School of Public Policy Blog and Podcast

Excellent short posts on aspects of public policy research, both here in Cambridge and around the world. See: Blog Archives – Bennett School for Public Policy. You can also read up on the latest research projects and publications with the Department.

The Bennett School also has a regular podcast, ‘Crossing Channels’, covering a wide range of
policy topics: Podcast Archives – Bennett School for Public Policy

Cambridge Research Methods (CaRM)

CaRM (Cambridge Research Methods) is an interdisciplinary programme providing research
methods training to University of Cambridge staff and postgraduate students. Our courses cover qualitative and quantitative research methods, from basic training to advanced statistical analysis. Further information is available at: Modules – CaRM (cam.ac.uk)

Cambridge Public Policy Seminars 

MPP students are encouraged to attend and/or watch the recordings of Bennett School events. These include the School’s annual Public Policy Conference, annual Reynolds Lecture, annual Public Policy Lecture, and other flagship and research-based events throughout the year.

A highlight of these seminars is the Annual Public Policy Lecture in Late Michaelmas, which includes a leading scholar or practitioner followed by a black-tie dinner at one of the Colleges.