Contemporary public and social policymaking involves balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders and competing interests. Being able to recognise and account for diverse viewpoints and understand both the opportunities and challenges inherent in policymaking – and the research that informs it – will help you make a positive impact on the well-being of others at an individual and community level.

With its dual focus on policy analysis and applied social research, this unique degree will give you a deep understanding of the forces that shape policy and the processes involved in making it. You’ll develop advanced skills in critical analysis to help you design and deliver effective policy solutions that serve the public interest, as well as the confidence to make socially informed judgements in a range of specialist policy areas.

Key Features

• This degree has an interdisciplinary focus, so you can study diverse disciplines, including politics, sociology and human geography.
• You’ll be equipped with skills that are widely sought after in the government, non-government and private sectors.
• You’ll develop advanced and integrated knowledge of one or more policy domains.
• This degree employs teaching methods designed to meet the diverse interests and learning preferences of students – units are offered in both on-campus and online modes.
• You’ll develop the skills and confidence to utilise and interpret complex research and administrative data to independently develop and evaluate public and social policy.
• You’ll learn skills in both quantitative and qualitative social research, including how to engage with statistical data in an applied manner, conduct surveys and analyse survey data, run focus groups, undertake interviews and apply qualitative data in a range of policy tools.
• You’ll become adept at communicating policy information and social research to diverse audiences.
• You’ll acquire research skills that allow you to engage with and undertake research that addresses the global challenges facing contemporary societies, including sustainable communities, welfare reform, immigration, populism and inequality.
• Macquarie is ranked in the top five in Australia for arts and humanities (Best Global Universities, US News & World Report, 2018) and in the top 100 in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018).

• Human services consultant
• Market researcher
• Media adviser
• Parliamentary and electoral office staff
• Policy adviser
• Policy analyst
• Public opinion and market researcher
• Public servant
• Social and community services manager
• Social and environmental advocate
• Social researcher