This page lists various degree-granting programs in evaluation available across Europe. You will find specialized Master’s degrees such as the MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (Oxford), the MPhil in Public Policy (Cambridge), or programs focused on Impact Evaluation, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and International Development (UEA Norwich, UCLouvain).
These programs cover a wide range of methodologies, including quantitative methods (Randomised Controlled Trials – RCTs, econometrics) and qualitative approaches, as well as innovative fields like behavioural science and data analytics for development.
Belgium
Université Catholique de Louvain, Faculté des Sciences Economiques, Sociales et de Communication
Université d’Anvers/Institut de Politique et de Gestion du Développement (IOB)
Suisse
Université de Lausanne, Institut de hautes études en administration publique (IDHEAP)
University of Bern
Established in 2002, this programme is one of the oldest and most renowned in Europe in the field of evaluation. Taught in German, it balances academic excellence with immediate field application. It targets professionals from public administration, NGOs, healthcare, or international development cooperation who are responsible for commissioning, managing, or conducting evaluations. Open to holders of a higher education degree with relevant professional experience, the primary objective is to acquire comprehensive expertise across the entire evaluation cycle and to establish evaluation as a strategic management tool for evidence-based decision-making.
The curriculum follows a three-level modular progression: the CAS (15 ECTS) establishes foundations through 7 modules covering the complete evaluation cycle (planning, impact models, data collection methods, project management, results communication, « bootcamp » simulation). The DAS (30 ECTS) deepens expertise through independent execution of a real-world evaluation project under expert supervision. The MAS (60 ECTS) achieves expert-level mastery through advanced methodological specialization modules (complex quantitative/qualitative analysis) and an applied research thesis contributing to the discipline’s development.
A key feature of the programme is its pedagogical innovation through the « flipped classroom » approach: professionals assimilate theory online autonomously and asynchronously, then participate in intensive on-site sessions in Bern for hands-on application. The programme provides advanced methodological skills to design impact models, develop programme theories, and master technical tools: qualitative and quantitative survey designs, monitoring systems, meta-evaluation, and complex project management.
Academically, the programme is housed within the Lifelong Learning Center at the University of Bern. Developed since 2002 under the leadership of Swiss evaluation pioneers such as Dr. Verena Friedrich and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Beywl, the programme is currently directed by Dr. Stefanie Krapp.
Practical Information
- Hybrid format combining asynchronous online learning and on-site sessions in Bern
- Part-time schedule compatible with professional activity
- Duration: CAS 1 year | DAS 16 months | MAS 21 months
- Fees: CAS CHF 8,850 | DAS CHF 14,955 | MAS CHF 26,500
- Next cohort: March 2027 (admissions every 2 years)
Espagne
Universidad de Sevilla
This Master’s program provides professionals with a practical and comprehensive perspective to design, plan, execute, and manage evaluations of public policies and programs. The primary objective is to equip students with the methodological tools and technical skills necessary to assess public interventions, fostering a culture of evaluation characterized by transparency, accountability, ethical standards, and high effectiveness in the public sector.
The program’s defining feature is its strong applied approach, focusing heavily on the analysis and comparison of significant practical cases across Spain, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The 60 ECTS curriculum covers the complete evaluation cycle: theoretical foundations, mechanisms for institutionalizing evaluation, ex-ante and evaluability assessments, monitoring systems and indicator design, impact and results evaluation (including experimental designs and net effects measurement), as well as meta-evaluation and the integration of a gender perspective.
Academically, the program is promoted by the Department of Applied Economics II (Departamento de Economía Aplicada II) at the Universidad de Sevilla and is managed through its Center for Continuing Education (Centro de Formación Permanente – CFP). The program director is José Luis Osuna Llaneza. The faculty comprises a balanced mix of university academics (from Sevilla, Valencia, Barcelona, Oviedo, and Rey Juan Carlos universities) and active practitioners from public administration (including regional employment services, municipalities, and foundations such as Servicio Vasco de Empleo and Fundación Las Naves), ensuring a strong bridge between academic rigor and real-world public management.
Format & Duration: 100% Online (A distancia) via the university’s virtual platform, completed over 1 academic year (approximately 11 months, from November to September). The workload is distributed across modular online coursework (48 ECTS) and a final Master’s Thesis (TFM, 12 ECTS).
Important Note on Degree Status & Cost: This is a Máster de Formación Permanente (a Título Propio or university-specific degree in continuing education), not an officially recognized Máster Universitario accredited by ANECA within the Spanish Bologna system. As explicitly stated by the program, this degree does not provide direct access to doctoral (PhD) studies. However, it holds strong professional value for civil servants, consultants, and project managers seeking practical, immediately applicable M&E skills. The total cost of the program is approximately €2,494.
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
This Master’s program trains professionals and specialists to meet the growing demand for evaluation rooted in transparency, accountability, and institutional learning. The primary objective is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to design, manage, conduct, and commission evaluations of programs and policies, as well as to critically analyze them across diverse sectors (public administration, social intervention, education, international cooperation, etc.).
The program’s defining feature, offered continuously since 2002, is its blended learning format (60 ECTS credits), which combines a rigorous theoretical framework with tutored practical work. This curriculum provides the advanced competencies required to carry out evaluations both internally and as an external consultant.
Academically, the program is affiliated with the Escuela de Gobierno (School of Government) at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) and is co-directed by faculty and researchers from both UCM and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M).
Resolutely multidisciplinary, the Master’s program is firmly rooted in political science and public policy (as it is affiliated with the Escuela de Gobierno), while also drawing extensively on sociology for the analysis of social policies and economics. The program offers a highly balanced mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Recent innovations (promotion XXIII, 2026) strengthen the quantitative pillar with Machine Learning, AI, network analysis (Gephi), SPSS/JASP/R, and sentiment analysis.
Format & duration: Blended learning (Fridays/Saturdays, every other week) over 2 years (1 year of coursework, 1 year for the Master’s thesis).
Important Note on Degree Status: This is a Título Propio (UCM’s own Master’s Degree in Continuing Education), not an officially recognized Máster Universitario accredited by ANECA within the Spanish Bologna system. While it does not carry official ECTS credits recognized across European universities, it holds strong professional value with over 250 alumni since 2002 and is highly regarded in Spain’s evaluation community for its academic rigor and practical approach.
Universidad de Salamanca
Máster Universitario en Ciencia Política
This master’s program trains political scientists and public policy analysts capable of understanding institutional dynamics, party systems, and electoral behavior. Although it is a generalist program in political science rather than a degree exclusively dedicated to evaluation, its main objective is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of state functioning and democratic quality. The program’s key characteristic is its strong specialization in the Ibero-American region, with the University of Salamanca serving as a leading historical academic bridge between Europe and Latin America.
The program’s main relevance for evaluation professionals lies in its methodological rigor. The curriculum provides solid data analysis skills through mandatory modules such as « Estrategias de investigación cuantitativa » (Quantitative Research Strategies) and « Comparative Method ». While the program does not offer a dedicated monitoring and evaluation (M&E) specialization, students interested in public policy can take targeted elective courses, such as « Comparative Public Policy » or « Gestión Pública y Buen Gobierno » (Public Management and Good Governance). Additionally, students have the opportunity to focus their entire Master’s Thesis (TFM, 10 ECTS) on a concrete public policy evaluation case.
Academically, the program is closely tied to the prestigious Instituto de Iberoamérica, recognized as one of Europe’s leading research centers on Latin American institutional issues. This affiliation allows students to work in a research-oriented environment and benefit from an extensive international network, facilitating professional placement in public administration, diplomacy, development cooperation agencies, think tanks, or doctoral studies.
Organization / Program: This is an on-campus (presencial) program delivered in Salamanca. The complete curriculum (revised under its current plan since 2013-2014) consists of 60 ECTS credits, completed over one academic year. The program includes 26 ECTS of mandatory modules (methodology, fundamental concepts, democracy, quantitative and comparative methods), 24 ECTS of elective modules chosen from eight thematic areas, and 10 ECTS for the Master’s Thesis. The program is selective with a numerus clausus of approximately 40 places per year to ensure high-quality supervision and interactive seminars.
Germany
This program is based on a cooperation between the University of Saarland and the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau (specializing in distance learning via its DISC center). It was initiated by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Stockmann, director of the CEval (Center for Evaluation), a renowned research institute in Germany specializing in development cooperation evaluation.
Created to fill a global gap, this program offers high-level university training in evaluation accessible to working professionals. It aims to strengthen monitoring and evaluation capacities in the public, private, and governmental sectors. Students learn to design, implement, and manage evaluations autonomously, combining scientific theory with professional practice through modules on social research methodologies, statistics, and evaluation standards.
Audience: The training is aimed at professionals and executives already working in evaluation or wishing to move into this field. The student body is highly heterogeneous and international, typically including civil servants from ministries (particularly from Africa or Asia), European consultants, and humanitarian project managers wishing to specialize.
Prerequisites: An undergraduate university degree and at least one year of relevant professional experience are required. Admission without a university degree is possible under specific conditions (university entrance qualification, 5 years of experience, and aptitude test). Fluency in English is mandatory.
Organization/Program: This is a distance learning course (Blended Learning) lasting 4 semesters (2 years), compatible with full-time professional activity (approx. 15h/week workload). The 60 ECTS curriculum covers fundamentals, data collection, and specializations such as economic evaluation or SDGs. The format includes online self-study phases and two mandatory on-site phases of one week each. These introductory and intermediate blocks take place at the University of Saarland in Saarbrücken, the capital of the Saarland state located directly on the French-German border. Class sizes generally range from 20 to 40 students per year to ensure personalized follow-up.
Cost: Approximately €1,700 per semester (tuition fees + semester contribution), excluding travel expenses for the on-site weeks in Germany.
The Netherlands
Maastricht University & United Nations University (UNU-MERIT)
This Master’s program is a unique collaboration between Maastricht University and the United Nations University (UNU-MERIT). It provides students with the specialized skills and theoretical foundations needed to operate as policy analysts and program designers within international organizations, NGOs, and national governments. The primary objective is to train professionals in evidence-based policy, combining rigorous academic research with the practical, real-world expertise of the United Nations.
The program’s defining feature is its double identity: students are enrolled at a top-tier European university while being fully integrated into a UN research institute. The curriculum is built on the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, which emphasizes active participation, small-group collaboration, and the resolution of concrete policy « cases. » After a common first semester focused on the « toolbox » of policy analysis (economics, statistics, and research design using STATA), students choose one of seven specialized tracks to tailor their expertise: Governance of Innovation, Migration Studies, Social Protection Policy, Global Governance and Human Development, Regional Integration & Multi-Level Governance, Risk & Vulnerability, and Social Entrepreneurship & Public Policy.
Academically, the program is hosted at UNU-MERIT in Maastricht. The faculty consists of world-renowned scholars and practitioners who frequently advise the World Bank, UNICEF, and the ILO. Key figures include Prof. Dr. Melissa Siegel (Migration Studies) and Prof. Dr. Franziska Gassmann (Social Protection). This environment ensures that the coursework—covering topics from AI governance and innovation to climate risk and social protection—is always aligned with the latest global policy shifts.
Format & Duration: Full-time (1 year, 12 months from September to August). The program is 100% on-campus (presencial) in Maastricht. The 60 ECTS workload is divided into an autumn semester of core quantitative courses, a spring semester dedicated to specialization modules, and a summer period for thesis completion.
Important Note on Degree Status & Cost: This is an officially recognized Master of Science (MSc) with dual international accreditation from the NVAO (Netherlands/Flanders) and the prestigious EAPAA (European Association for Public Administration Accreditation). It provides direct access to doctoral (PhD) studies globally. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the statutory tuition fee for EU/EEA students is €2,695, while the institutional fee for non-EU students is €21,500. The program welcomes over 100 students from 40+ nationalities annually, ranked #1 in the Netherlands (Keuzegids Masters 2014) in Political Science and Public Administration.
United Kingdom
Oxford University
This programme is hosted by the Department of Social Policy and Intervention (DSPI), which is widely recognized as a global leader in social policy research. The department was ranked first among all UK social policy departments in the Research Excellence Framework 2014, with 79% of its research classified as world-leading.
The MSc EBSIPE provides high-quality graduate-level training in concepts and methods for evaluating social interventions and policies. The pedagogical approach emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), advanced quasi-experimental methods, and systematic reviews. Students learn to critically consume and produce evaluation research, with a strong focus on open science and research transparency. The programme trains students to be evidence-informed researchers and practitioners who can appraise, generate, and use evidence in policy and practice.
The curriculum is structured around a core Research Methods paper covering evaluation methods, systematic reviews (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method), quantitative methods using R software, qualitative research methods, and field methods for managing real-world evaluations. Students then select one of two specialized pathways: Social Intervention (focusing on evidence-based methods to evaluate specific social programmes, intervention development, and ethical issues) or Policy Evaluation (examining policy-making processes, policy design, and implementation mechanisms).
The programme addresses critical sectors including poverty reduction, child and family services, education, violence prevention, mental health, refugees, substance abuse, and HIV prevention. Students complete a thesis on a topic of their choice under academic supervision. Graduates typically pursue careers in development agencies, public policy institutions, programme evaluation consultancies, international organizations, and research institutions, or continue to doctoral study.
- Format: Full-time (1 year, three terms)
➡ The programme’s distinctive approach lies in its rigorous « intervention science » methodology, pioneered by founding director Professor Frances Gardner. Unlike conventional policy evaluation programmes, it trains researcher-practitioners to not only test whether interventions work, but to understand why, for whom, and in what contexts—applying clinical trial standards to social interventions.
University of East Anglia, Norwich
This MSc focuses on the rigorous quantitative and qualitative assessment of public policies and development programmes. The curriculum provides advanced training in applied microeconomics and econometric methods, enabling students to design and implement high-quality impact evaluations. The primary objective is to equip participants with the analytical tools necessary to measure the effectiveness of interventions and support evidence-based decision-making in international development contexts.
The programme places strong emphasis on statistical techniques and counterfactual analysis, including randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental methods such as regression discontinuity design, instrumental variables, and difference-in-differences. Students gain hands-on experience with Stata software and econometric analysis of cross-sectional and time-series data.
Operated by the School of Global Development at UEA, the course combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications through three core modules: Welfare and Evaluation in Development (theoretical frameworks, cost-benefit analysis, sectoral applications), Applied Methods for Impact Evaluation (quantitative and qualitative methods), and Econometric Methods for Development (econometric theory and practice). Optional modules allow specialization in areas such as microeconomics of development, agricultural economics, health and nutrition, climate change policy, and sustainable development.
The programme includes a mandatory two-week pre-sessional statistics course and is designed for students intending to work as impact evaluation analysts, monitoring and evaluation officers, or researchers within international organizations, government agencies, NGOs, and development consultancies.
- Format: Full-time (1 year)
- Language: English
The MSc Policy, Behaviour and Data for Global Development focuses on the intersection of public policy analysis, behavioral science, and data analytics within the context of international development. The programme addresses the role of human behavior in policy outcomes, moving beyond traditional economic models to incorporate psychological and sociological insights. The primary objective is to train students to design, implement, and evaluate policies that account for cognitive biases and social norms
The curriculum provides rigorous training in quantitative methods, emphasizing the use of big data and evidence-based techniques for decision-making. A key component of the course is the application of behavioral insight, often referred to as ‘nudging’, to address complex challenges such as climate adaptation, public health compliance, and financial inclusion. Students learn to handle large datasets to identify trends and inform strategic planning.
Hosted by the School of Global Development, the course combines theoretical study with practical application. It is designed for professionals and graduates aiming for careers as policy analysts, data specialists, or members of behavioral insights units within governments, international organisations, and non-governmental bodies.
- Format: Full-time (1 year)
- Language: English
University of Cambridge
Institution & Location: University of Cambridge (Centre of Development Studies), Cambridge, United Kingdom
This MPhil offers an intensive, interdisciplinary course providing students with a critical and analytical understanding of development processes, institutions, actors, and interests. The program emphasizes theoretical depth and critical reflection on the historical, political, and economic dimensions of development, moving beyond practice-based approaches to question fundamental assumptions about progress, inequality, and global governance. It is particularly suited for those seeking academic rigor in development thinking or preparing for doctoral research.
The curriculum is anchored by a compulsory core paper, Intellectual Traditions of Development, which examines major theoretical and methodological approaches covering themes such as capitalism, race, the role of the state, technology, financialisation, environment, agrarian transformation, and decolonisation. Students then select two optional papers from 6-8 available modules (varying annually) offering specialized deep dives into themes introduced in the core paper. These may cover topics related to political economy, institutions, justice, and specific regional or thematic development issues.
The program culminates in a substantial dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words, allowing students to apply theoretical frameworks to a specific development issue. This combination of critical analysis and independent research ensures graduates develop a broad, incisive understanding of development suitable for careers in policy, international organizations, NGOs, or further academic study (PhD).
- Format: Full-time (9 months, three terms: Michaelmas, Lent, Easter)
- Language: English
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