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The Master's Degree in Public Policy prepares its students for decision-making support in government and municipal bodies, European and international institutions, or socio-professional and non-governmental organisations; and also for roles in communications, public affairs, consulting, polling and market research companies.
With a length of two years and 120 credits (ECTS), the course includes a common core and several specialised electives in Public Policy. The common core is made up of courses in theories and analysis of public policy, economics, law, European studies and research methods.
In the second year, students undertake a short-term curricular internship and an elective curricular unit in research methods. They can conclude the course with an academic dissertation or, alternatively, with a project work applying the lessons learnt, which can be carried out within the framework of the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte). Their preparation is supported by complementary activities such as conference cycles, the Public Policy Forum and other IPPS-Iscte activities.
The teaching and lecturing staff includes Portuguese and foreign academics and experts in public policy, as well as former members of the government and public administration leaders.
Students who complete the first year are awarded the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies in Public Policy, with 60 credits (ECTS).
2026/2027
The MSc in Public Policy includes a common core of courses, as well as a variety of electives in specializations in Public Policy. The common core is composed of classes in techniques of public policy analysis and design, economics, law, European and international public policy and methods of analysis.
In the second year, the students will complete an academic internship of short duration and an elective unit in research methods. They may then finish the course with either an academic dissertation or, alternatively, a final project that applies the approaches they have learned. These may be performed within the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte). Their preparation will be supported by supplementary activities, including the public policy forum and the international conference cycle.
A student who finishes only the first year will be attributed the Diploma of Post-Graduate Studies in Public Policy, with 60 ECTS credits.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| European and International Public Policy | 1 | 6.0 |
| Public Policy Analysis and Design | 1 | 6.0 |
| Research Methods in Social Sciences Parte Escolar > Optional Courses > Free Or Supplementary > Supplementary | 1 | 6.0 |
| Sociological Theory Parte Escolar > Optional Courses > Free Or Supplementary > Supplementary | 1 | 6.0 |
| Economics and Public Policy | 2 | 6.0 |
| Law and Public Policy | 2 | 6.0 |
| Research Design | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended elective
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
Elective modules recommended by the Master’s programme management
State, Society and Public Policy
1st Semester
00542 | Theory and History of Public Policy
03426 | Public Opinion and Polls
00511 | Education Policy
2nd Semester
L6124 | Comparative Social Policy
03972 | Environmental Policies
03916 | Debates in Public Policy (ECSH)
Analysis, Design and Evaluation of Public Policy
1st Semester
01710 | Planning and Public Policy
04558 | Public Formulation and Design Thinking
2nd Semester
01712 | Policy Evaluation Methods
01708 | Indicators and Statistics in Public Policy
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Master Dissertation in Public Policy Final Work | 1 | 42.0 |
| Master Project in Public Policy Final Work | 1 | 42.0 |
| Public Policy Internship | 1 | 12.0 |
Recommended elective
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
Elective modules recommended by the Master’s programme management
State, Society and Public Policy
1st Semester
00542 | Theory and History of Public Policy
03426 | Public Opinion and Polls
00511 | Education Policy
2nd Semester
L6124 | Comparative Social Policy
03972 | Environmental Policies
03916 | Debates in Public Policy (ECSH)
Analysis, Design and Evaluation of Public Policy
1st Semester
01710 | Planning and Public Policy
04558 | Public Formulation and Design Thinking
2nd Semester
01712 | Policy Evaluation Methods
01708 | Indicators and Statistics in Public Policy
The main objective of the Master’s Program in Public Policy is to provide appropriate training for a new generation of professionals involved in the analysis, management, and implementation of public policy (PP), through reflection and an in-depth understanding of the current reality of PP, as well as the acquisition of knowledge regarding concepts, theories, and analytical perspectives drawn from different disciplinary areas.
The objectives of this Master’s program also include providing a broad and up-to-date understanding of the concepts, theories, methods, techniques, and main analytical perspectives on public policy, enabling students to apply them independently and creatively.
Graduates will acquire competencies in
· the selection and design of instruments for implementing public policies (and their technical, legal, and ethical implications) and the main fields of application, both at the analytical level and in terms of policy design;
· the application of acquired knowledge to identify and resolve new problems in the field of public policy that arise in their areas of study, research, or professional activity;
· the ability to integrate knowledge and develop solutions, as well as to make judgments in situations involving limited or incomplete information, including consideration of relevant social, economic, political, and ethical implications.
2025/2026
In the second year, the students will complete an internship with a minimum duration of four weeks, evaluated on the basis of a report about the professional experience obtained therein.
The internship has two objectives:
In the first place, to develop the capacity of applying learning through practical knowledge of the problems, processes and contexts of design, preparation and evaluation of public policy. In the second place, to prepare the students for professional integration, providing them with direct contact with some of the main organizations that work in designing and applying public policy.
Iscte benefits from having agreements with an extensive contact-network of national and international institutions to provide internship opportunities for its students in:
| Round | Start Date | End Date | Vacancies | Application fee | Reservation fee | Reservation fee outside EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st round | Mestrado/Master | 2025-12-15 09:30 | 2026-01-14 17:00 | 15 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € |
| 2nd round | Mestrado/Master | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 8 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € |
| 3rd round | Mestrado/Master | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 12 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € |
See the admission and ranking criteria 2026/2027