Master of Public Policy and Governance

The UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree, that applies a social science perspective to real-world questions of policy, research and management in modern organisations. Through this master’s degree, you’ll prepare for roles that require research and analytical skills, and a practical appreciation of the processes of policymaking, policy analysis, and policy implementation.

This degree helps you to develop the skills and perspectives needed for the assessment, evaluation, and sensitivity of public policy. You’ll explore the impacts research, public policy and governance have on clients, customers and the public.

• Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
• Learn through research-informed teaching
• Prioritise career success - UNSW won the Australian Financial Review's Most Employable Students Award in 2024.
• Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
• Access world-class alumni connections
• Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024)
• Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities

There are three different streams of the Master of Public Policy and Governance. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to public policy and governance.

You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.

For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:

For the 1 year stream

• Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience.

For the 1.7 year stream

• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience.
• Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

For the 2 year stream

• Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

^Students from a non-211 university in China are now required to have a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW distinction average (75%).

Relevant disciplines for these programs include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Research and Policy; Social Work.

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.