Be a part of the University of Oxford’s mission to transform and improve global policymaking.
What is the purpose of government? This is the fundamental question you will examine when studying this ground-breaking short course. You will think critically, drawing out the key values that should be considered in this question.
We seek to arm you with the knowledge and skills to understand the key moral and ethical value concepts that should inform public policy. You will engage with new processes and learn to apply political philosophy to the practice of policymaking, studying alongside like-minded thinkers in this field of political social sciences.
Values and Public Policy is certified by CPD UK’s (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service.
Find out how the skills developed on this course can be combined with others for maximum impact. Discover more about our government and public policy multi-course pathway, including our multi-course discounts.
8 weeks (3-5 hours of study per week recommended)
February, May, August, October
3 May 2025 (deadline 1pm (GMT) on 2 May 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
The online course is designed for you if you need to interact with, understand and interpret policy as part of your job.
You should consider this course if:
In addition, please be aware that this is a master’s level course, so will take a certain level of commitment. Learners are expected to dedicate 3-5 hours a week to their studies, with all activities and tasks taking place online.
There are no specific entry requirements. However, please be aware this course will take a certain level of commitment. Learners are expected to dedicate 3–5 hours a week to their studies, with all activities and tasks taking place online.
Our Values and Public Policy: Political Philosophy in Practice course promotes careful and critical evaluation of the thinking that should underpin good policy decisions and reflection on the moral complexities that policy makers must engage with. It explores practical dilemmas when the idea of government’s purpose may conflict with fundamental values, virtue and morality.
There are five key themes explored in the course:
Purpose – being able to evaluate the purpose of public policy and government, and understand the role of the individual.
Decision-making – understanding the distinctions between what decisions to make and how to make them.
Values – being able to apply philosophical approaches to evaluate values in public policy.
Ethics – the application of ethics for moral leadership: weighing up different moral/ethical decisions.
Problem solving – dealing with wicked problems in a complex world and applying technical solutions.
Watch the one-minute video below for an overview of the course.
Throughout this online course, you will have the opportunity to explore some of today’s most pressing policy questions. These may include:
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.
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 OF PHILOSOPHY AND PUBLIC POLICY
Tom Simpson is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and a Senior Research Fellow at Wadham College.
At the Blavatnik School he co-directs the Master of Public Policy, and directs the Military Leadership and Judgment Programme. He works particularly on trust, and issues at the intersection of technology and security. For an overview of his research, see this broadcast with ABC.
He joined the School from Cambridge, where he was a Research Fellow at Sidney Sussex College, and was also educated (BA, MPhil, PhD).
Between degrees he was an officer with the Royal Marines Commandos for five years. He served in Northern Ireland; Baghdad, Iraq; and Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
ALFRED LANDECKER PROFESSOR OF VALUES AND PUBLIC POLICY
Jonathan Wolff is the Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy and Governing Body Fellow at Wolfson College. He was formerly Blavatnik Chair in Public Policy at the School, and before that Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Arts and Humanities at UCL.
He is currently developing a new research programme on revitalising democracy and civil society, in accordance with the aims of the Alfred Landecker Professorship. His other current work largely concerns equality, disadvantage, social justice and poverty, as well as applied topics such as public safety, disability, gambling, and the regulation of recreational drugs, which he has discussed in his books Ethics and Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry (Routledge 2011) and The Human Right to Health (Norton 2012). His most recent book is An Introduction to Moral Philosophy (Norton 2018).
