MPA Master Of Public Administration (Applied)

You need a lower second class honours degree in a humanities, social science, law, business or management subject area as a minimum – or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.

We may consider mature students without a degree if you can demonstrate appropriate professional experience and/or other relevant qualifications, such as three years in a public, public-private, or third-sector role with evidence of management responsibilities.

International applicants should have an IELTS (academic) score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component (or approved equivalent).

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

Our Master of Public Administration (Applied) is of great benefit if you are working within, or seeking to work in the public, public-private and third sectors. You engage critically with policy problems and solutions, and have a chance to apply this learning to a real-world setting through Applied Practice.

Examples of jobs graduates of public administration masters go into include working private sector consultancy, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and public sector employment. The holistic perspective across key policy areas is also vital if you are looking to work in government or local government, as well as the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Applied Practice

You gain real-world practical experience in a professional setting to enhance your employability and accompany your academic learning. You undertake an applied practice opportunity to develop your work-related knowledge, skill set and aspirations. With support from the University’s careers advisors you apply for either an external internship opportunity or a project within the university working alongside practising researchers.

You are assessed through a reflective portfolio; this module does not count towards the overall degree classification.

Contemporary Issues in Public Administration, Politics and Policy

You study the most important issues in public administration, politics and policy in the modern world at local, national and international levels, and will be assigned a supervisor to explore an area of independent research into a contemporary issue in public administration, politics or policy. You design an area of independent study, determining the contemporary subject area, methodology and structure of the assessment. You write a learning contract outlining the aims, methods and outcomes of the study, and complete a reflective learning log which will develop awareness of research, learning processes and time-management.

Dissertation

You apply your knowledge, written communication and research skills to a specific area of interest relevant to the field in a dissertation or knowledge exchange equivalent of 15,000 words. The dissertation can take a traditional format or the form of knowledge exchange such as a systematic review and policy recommendations, or a research report to a public body.

International Law, Politics and Society