Policy Analyst

Researches public or organisational issues, evaluates evidence and recommends policies or improvements to decision-makers. Explore current demand, important skills and estimated junior, mid-level and senior salaries, plus 36 linked programmes across 6 universities. Enter your subjects and marks to discover which linked programmes you may qualify for.

Check which programmes I qualify for
Career overview

What does a Policy Analyst do?

Researches public or organisational issues, evaluates evidence and recommends policies or improvements to decision-makers.

Demand level: High

Earning potential

Estimated annual salaries

JuniorR360 000 p.a.Mid-levelR580 000 p.a.SeniorR850 000 p.a.

Salary figures are estimates and may vary by employer, experience, qualifications, location and economic conditions.

Build your capability

Skills linked to this career

Critical thinking · EssentialData analysis · EssentialPolicy research · EssentialReport writing · EssentialStakeholder engagement · Important
Study routes

Programmes linked to this career

These are some of the programmes currently connected to this career in VX Course Match.

BA or BSS Extended Studies — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Arts (BA) — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Business Science: Economics — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Business Science: Management — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Business Science: Quantitative Management — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Economics (BEco): Business Sciences — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Economics (BEco): Environmental Economics — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Economics (BEco): Mineral Economics — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Economics (BEco): Social Sciences — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Information Systems (BScInfoSys): Economics Management — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Music (BMus) — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Science (BSc): Biological Sciences — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Science (BSc): Computational Sciences — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Science (BSc): Earth Sciences — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Science (BSc): Life Sciences — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) — Rhodes University

BCom Extended Studies — Rhodes University

Bachelor of Arts (BA) — University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Business Science specialising in Economics — University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Business Science specialising in Economics with Law — University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Economics & Statistics — University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Economics with Law — University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Philosophy Politics & Economics — University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) — University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (BSocSc) (PPE) — University of Cape Town

BA with specialisation in POLITICS, ECONOMICS AND TECHNOLOGY — University of Johannesburg

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE — University of Johannesburg

Bachelor of Arts specialising in Philosophy, Politics and Economics — University of Pretoria

Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Economics — University of Pretoria

These are only some of the programmes linked to this career.

Enter your subjects and marks to see an extended list and discover which other programmes leading to this career you may qualify for.

Check which programmes I qualify for
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Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

What does a Policy Analyst do?

Researches public or organisational issues, evaluates evidence and recommends policies or improvements to decision-makers.

What skills are important for this career?

Important skills include Critical thinking, Data analysis, Policy research, Report writing, Stakeholder engagement.

What salary can I expect?

VX provides junior, mid-level and senior annual salary estimates. Actual earnings vary by employer, experience, qualifications, location and economic conditions.

Which programmes can lead to this career?

36 linked programmes are currently available in the VX database. Use Course Match to see which ones fit your subjects and marks.