Government Social Research
The MSc in Policy Analysis and Evaluation is a partnership between the Government Social Research Unit (GSRU) and the Institute of Education (IOE).
The Government Social Research Unit (GSRU) is the Chief Government Social Scientist’s supporting office. It provides strategic leadership to the Government Social Research service (GSR) and supports it in delivering an effective service. It has a broad role in promoting the use of evidence in strategy, policy and delivery and leads on strategic social research issues and standards for social research in government. It represents GSR and its work within government and in the wider research community. It also provides practical support and advice to departments on the organisation and delivery of research and on recruitment, career development and training.
Social science research informs the development, implementation and evaluation of a wide range of government policies. GSR plays a crucial role in evidence-based policy making today, by using evidence to help government to make better policies and deliver better services.
GSR members provide research input to the analysis required for policy development, implementation, review and evaluation. Ultimately, this research evidence will help inform the policy decisions of Ministers.
GSR members offer research-based advice and briefings in-house and manage about £150 million worth of research and evaluation throughout the UK.
The Institute of Education is the largest graduate school of education in Britain and is ranked among the leading education schools in the world.
Located in the heart of London, the IOE is a fantastic place to study. Its courses are thoroughly up-to-date and are enriched by world-class research that has made the Institute a centre of excellence for education and social research inquiry. Members of the course team are leaders in their field both nationally and internationally and research activities have resulted in many publications, which feed directly into the Master's programme. The staff teaching on this degree also have longstanding track records in carrying out research for government departments and are aware of the need for evidence-based policy and its foundation in high quality research.