MA Public Policy and Public Management

Course Overview

Is democracy backsliding around the world? How should governments tackle the cost-of-living or climate crises? What governments do and why they do it are perennially important questions. In today’s complex and ever-changing world, a critical understanding of these processes and their results is more vital than ever before.

On our dynamic MA in Public Policy and Public Management course, you’ll gain a rich appreciation of the many ways that policy is made and the factors that influence it. You’ll emerge with an in-depth understanding of public policy and management at both national and international levels. Flexible and multidisciplinary, this course is ideal if you have a social science degree and hope to specialise, a degree in environmental studies or geography and seek wider applications of your subject knowledge, or if you’re a professional interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the processes you deal with every day.

You’ll gain a strong foundation in both theory and practical problem-solving. You’ll also be able to tailor your studies to your interests by choosing from a range of optional modules on a wide variety of topics such as elite power, the environment, or foreign policy. You’ll develop your interests even further through your dissertation, in-depth independent research which you’ll complete with the supervision of an academic expert.

Beyond the classroom, we offer a huge array of activities for you to get involved in, including internships, placements, staff-student debates, and opportunities to contribute to our blog and podcast series. We also host a regular speaker series featuring academics and politicians who debate and discuss the hottest political topics of the day.

You’ll develop transferable skills applicable to many careers, including the ability to think critically and constructively question received wisdom. You'll also enhance your presentation and teamwork skills, engage in project work, conduct critical analysis and synthesis of arguments, perform independent research, and apply theory to real-world cases. As a result, you’ll be well-prepared for careers in government and the Civil Service, NGOs, media and journalism, or you could choose to pursue further academic study.

This course is open to

This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

Typical International Entry Requirements

Degree classification

UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent

Degree Subject

Any subject area

Additional Entry Requirements

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact university directly for further information.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):  

• IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking and 5.5 in Listening and Reading

Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement. 

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:  

• Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA  

• Academic English at INTO UEA 

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here: 

International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences 

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.

Employability

The flexibility and breadth of our Master’s course will open up a wide range of career opportunities. If you have a specific profession in mind, you can specialise; alternatively, if you’re looking for a broader understanding, you can take a wider focus.

Recent graduates have gone on to pursue high-level careers in the media, local and national government and non-governmental organisations, taking up roles such as business executive, policy analyst, consultant, subject specialist, lobbyist, adviser, NGO staff and civil servant. Some have gone on to research in a university or institute, having pursued further postgraduate study like a PhD.

Example of careers that you could enter include:

• Policy analyst
• Lobbyist
• NGO staff
• Civil servant
• Researcher
• Consultant

Discover more on our Careers webpages.