With a length of two years and corresponding to 120 credit units (ECTS), the course includes a common core and four specialisation branches. The common core is composed os curricular units in political analysis, economics, law, European studies and research methods. 

In the second year, students carry out a short-length curricular internship and an elective curricular unit in research methods. They may conclude the course by means of an academic dissertation or, alternatively, a project that applies the skills learned, which may take place at the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte). The preparation of the dissertation or project is accompanied by complementary activities: the public policy forum and the international conference cycle.

The faculty and group of lecturers includes both Portuguese and foreign academics and specialists, including jurists and economists, former ministers, highly renowned political experts and decision-makers.

To the students who conclude the first year, the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies in Public Policy, corresponding to 60 credit units (ECTS), is attributed.