Rethinking Public Policy: Can We Solve the World's Problems



Overview

Delve into a comprehensive range of topics within the field of public policy during this short course in Oxford.

The course offers an in-depth examination of various policy areas, including:

  • behavioural public policy
  • education policy
  • social policy
  • social welfare policies
  • health policy
  • labour market policies
  • migration policies
  • climate justice and public policy

Additionally, the course offers insights into education policy, focusing on the origins and evolution of European education policy, and introduces various models through case studies. The examination of health, labour market, and migration policies across different OECD countries further enriches the learning experience.

The course also covers related topics like youth unemployment and brain drain, incorporating relevant case studies to enhance understanding.

Programme details

Courses starts Thursday 23 April 2026

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 4.30-6.30pm.

Week 1: Introduction to Public Policy

Week 2: Behavioural Science and Public Policy

Week 3: The role of government, freedom of choice and paternalism; Decision Making within the Place of Public Policy eg voting preference

Week 4: Social Welfare and Public Policy

Week 5: Health Care Policy; Inequalities in Access to Health Care

Week 6: Climate Justice and Public Policy

Week 7: Migration and Policy Making

Week 8: Education Policy; Education Policies in different country contexts

Week 9: Labour Market and Public Policy; Labour Market Inequality

Week 10: Poster Projects and Evaluation

Certification

Academic credit

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)

Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.

Digital certificate of completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

Tutor

Dr Szilvi Schmitsek

Szilvia Schmitsek graduated with her PhD in Employment Research (Institute for Employment Research, Warwick University) in 2018. She was awarded a Warwick Chancellor’s Scholarship for the duration of her studies. Her decision to pursue a PhD on Early School Leaving was strongly influenced by her commitment to disadvantaged youth, which has always been her main field of interest. Previously Szilvia gained an MPhil in Social Sciences Research and MA in Education, a BA in Social Science; Speech and Language Therapy and Special Education, and a Diploma in Media Studies. She became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in November 2024.

Course aims

  • To introduce students to a broad range of ideas explored within the field of public policy, and to draw their attention to the fact that 'content matters'. More precisely, we discuss the importance of the given policy context when assessing policies.
  • To give students good knowledge and understanding of how to implement/develop policies and related processes, and to gain an understanding of some characteristics of public policy.
  • To give students practice in the critical assessment of possible public policies.

Teaching methods

This ten-week course will consist of weekly in-person seminars, fostering team work, discussion and debate between students and the tutor.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to:

  • have gained knowledge and understanding of different areas of public policy;
  • have learnt various concepts and models regarding public policy in different country contexts; and
  • gained confidence when expressing their views.

Assessment methods

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.

Assessment

Coursework will consist of a formative essay of 500 words and, for the summative assessment, a poster project.

 

Application

How to enrol

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

How to register for accreditation and assessment

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. 

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support