Government Social Research
GSR and IoE launch the MSc
Sir Gus O'Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, has launched a new Masters (MSc) degree in Policy Analysis and Evaluation.
Eighteen students form the first intake of the MSc programme, to be awarded by the Institute of Education, University of London.
The degree is delivered on a part-time basis by the Cabinet Office and the University of London and forms part of the Civil Service's Professional Skills for Government programme.
Gus O'Donnell said:
'I encourage all civil servants to take personal responsibility for their training and development and this Masters degree is an excellent platform for professional development.
'This degree is one plank in our Professional Skills for Government programme which is now being rolled out across the civil service.'
Sue Duncan, Chief Government Social Researcher said:
'The degree has proved to be extremely popular and will develop into a prestigious qualification. We have students from nine government departments and agencies, including the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
'I am delighted that government researchers now have the opportunity to gain a relevant qualification whilst at the same time raise their levels of expertise, and hence the quality of service to our customers - government policy makers.'
Professor Geoff Whitty, Director, Institute of Education, University of London added:
'The Institute of Education is delighted to be working with the Cabinet Office to develop this important new course. Government policy making needs to rely on a strong foundation of rigorous research methods. We are pleased to share our strengths in research methodology and analysis to help increase UK capacity and to assist the formulation of policies.'
The MSc is the result of an innovative collaboration between the Cabinet Office’s Government Social Research Unit and the University of London’s Institute of Education.
The degree is available to existing civil servants, and is particularly relevant to those working as analysts. The programme starts in October 2005, and there will be another entry in October 2006. More information is available on the MSc in Policy Analysis and Evaluation page.