Do you want to see a world better led, better served and better governed?
Now more than ever, it’s imperative that governments and public bodies worldwide use objective evidence to inform policy decisions. This online course will teach you to put the science of evaluating policy into practice – ensuring that the policy you are involved in is built on solid foundations.
Evidence in Public Policy is certified by CPD UK’s (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service.
Find out how you could complement the skills built on this course with those developed on another. Discover our government and public policy multi-course pathway and discounts.
8 weeks (3-5 hours of study per week recommended)
February, May, August, October
2 August 2025 (deadline 1pm (GMT) on 1 August 2025)
£1740 (inclusive of VAT)*
*Discounts are available to alumni, those working in the public sector and certain geographical regions. Register your interest to learn more.
Online
Certificate of completion
This distance learning course is designed for those who need to be able to evaluate the impact of policies. You should consider this course if:
Our Evidence in Public Policy online programme is an intensive eight-week course that will teach you how successful evidence based policy is implemented and evaluated. It will give you the unique opportunity to hone the critical skills needed to design and implement policies informed by facts rather than opinion or instinct.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to evaluate the impact and implementation of policies within the context of your own role, an ability which will have immediate benefits to your career.
Watch the one-minute video below for an overview of the course.
“The Evidence in Public Policy course, I feel, is essential learning for all policy professionals, analysts, operational delivery professions, project managers and the like in public service or third sector roles that make policy decisions based on evidence.”
Melieha Long, Senior Strategist and Policy Coordinator at the Scotland Office of the UK Government.
Throughout this course, you will learn how to use evidence to both develop new policies and evaluate the impact(s) of existing ones, ensuring that the policymaking you are involved in is solid and reliable. You will also receive a certificate to support your career progression. See our full learning outcomes section for more detailed information.
This programme is also certified by CPD UK. Learners will be able to request their CPD certificate after successfully finishing the course, using their certificate of completion as proof of eligibility. The course has an estimated 40 hours of learning, equating to 40 CPD points.
Upon completion, you will receive a certificate to support your career progression. This programme is also certified by CPD UK. Learners will be able to request their CPD certificate after successfully finishing the course, using their certificate of completion as proof of eligibility. The course has an estimated 40 hours of learning, equating to 40 CPD points.
Note, the onus is on students to request these CPD certificates at the end of their studies. The University and its partners accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
“Take the opportunity [and do this course]. Do not think twice about it. The online course is assuredly packed with both the fundamental knowledge you need to learn, and some particular modules that will enhance your understanding of your chosen subject compared to others who have not taken your course.”
Robert Dominic C. Echiver, lawyer and Executive Assistant in the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Internal Audit, Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines
You will study eight modules over the course of eight weeks. It is a collaborative learning process, week-by-week, so you will have ample opportunity to discuss key policy topics with your peers and a course Facilitator.
Activities will include set readings, reflection exercises, multiple-choice questions and discussion forums. Your Facilitator will guide you through these activities and provide feedback at each stage. Not all tasks will be graded but you will need to participate in each to successfully complete the course and qualify for your certificate.
The final assessment, completed in module eight, will be your main summative assignment. It will be marked by your Facilitator and will be worth 50% of your final grade.
Associate Professor in Public Management
Martin teaches and conducts research on the roles of evidence, context and external validity in policymaking. His research is on policy implementation, public service delivery, and bureaucratic reform, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.
Prior to joining Oxford University, Martin was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Economics, University College London, and completed his PhD in the Government Department at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Associate Professor in Economics and Public Policy
Julien’s research focuses on issues of clientelism, electoral politics and social networks. He carries out field experiments, designs household surveys and uses large-scale datasets to test models of voter and politician behaviour in developing countries.
Prior to joining the Blavatnik School, Julien was an Assistant Professor of Social Sciences (Economics) at Yale-NUS College in Singapore, and completed his PhD in the Economics Department at the University of Oxford. Julien previously worked at the World Bank and has consulted for the Asia Foundation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
“This is a great opportunity to delve into specific topics of relevance to your career and/or interest in an environment that is self-paced. It also enables one to develop, gain knowledge, be challenged, and enhance or build new skills in a premier institution with a renowned organisation.”
Dr Roni Ajao, Executive Director of a public sector consultancy in the UK
