Master of Public Policy and Management

In the Master of Public Policy and Management you’ll refine a high-level analytic skill-set that meets the demands of complex public policy-making. Use the theoretical and analytical perspectives and debates you learn in public policy, governance and management to generate understandings of the institutions, processes and practices of contemporary government and policy.

With over 30 years of teaching and learning, the Master of Public Policy and Management is the premier degree of its kind in Australia. Understand the challenges and opportunities of interdependence, national and local institutions, diversity and dynamics of global, and appreciate the potential and limits of public policy action.

Who is it for?

Prepare yourself for a career in national and international leadership and government roles through this comprehensive graduate program. Benefit from hands-on experience in public, private or community sector management and gain the transferrable theoretical and practical skills you need for a mobile career.

Draw on the expertise of senior leaders from state and federal government and public service delivery organisations. The tutors and mentors in the Master of Public Policy and Management have a vast range of experience across government, politics, public service, parliament, the media, academia, and international development organisations.

On graduation from the Master of Public Policy and Management, you will be ready for work in professional fields including:

• Senior policy and arts officer
• Manager of policy and international relations
• Policy and planning manager
• Investment advisor for government
• Policy analyst
• Government communications advisor

Graduates have also gone on to work in global organisations including:

• Australia Bureau of Statistics
• Bangladesh Ministry of Finance
• Department of Justice
• Embassy of Nepal (Beijing)
• Royal Women’s Hospital
• The Australian Agency for International Development Toshiba Television (Beijing)
• University of Essex
• Victoria Police

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) you must:

• Have completed a three-year undergraduate degree with at least two years in science or technology areas of study within the last 10 years
• Have completed at least 50 points at third-year level in science or technology areas of study (or equivalent) within the last 10 years
• Have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65% in your undergraduate degree
• Meet the specific requirements for the discipline area or research project you apply for - see below for stream-specific requirements.

Stream-specific requirements

• Agricultural Science: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Anatomy and Physiology, and Neuroscience: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Animal Science and Management: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Biochemistry and Pharmacology: if specialisation in Pharmacology, a major in Pharmacology or in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Biosciences: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed research project
• Chemistry: a major in Chemistry. Applications from otherwise qualified graduates who have not completed a Chemistry major will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Selection Committee.
• Clinical Pathology: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed research project
• Earth Sciences: a major in Earth Sciences, or in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Ecosystem Science: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed research project
• Food Science: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Forest Science: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Geography: a major in Geography with an average of at least H2B (70%) in second and third-year subjects in Geography, or equivalent
• Human Nutrition: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Medical Biology: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Medicine (Austin Health): an undergraduate 3-year degree in a relevant experimental science discipline with an average of at least H2B (70%-74%), or equivalent.
• Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital): a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Medicine (St Vincent's Hospital): a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Medicine (Western Health): a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Microbiology and Immunology: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Optometry and Vision Sciences: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Oral Health Science: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Otolaryngology: a major in a discipline relevant to hearing sciences
• Paediatrics: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Pathology: a major in Pathology, or a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project together with a second year pathology or pathophysiology subject, or equivalent. Applications from otherwise qualified graduates who have not completed the above but have practical experience in another biomedical science discipline will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Selection Committee.
• Population and Global Health: a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Primary Care (General Practice): a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Psychology: an undergraduate degree that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited major in Psychology with a weighted average of at least 70% (H2B) in second and third-year (Level 3) Psychology subjects is assigned twice the weight of the average of the second year (Level 2) Psychology subjects.
• Psychopharmacology (Psychiatry (Austin Health)): a major in pharmacology, psychology or chemistry
• Surgery (Austin Health): a major in a discipline relevant to the proposed project
• Veterinary Bioscience: a major in a biological sciences discipline.

About selection

• Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection
• Selection is subject to linking you with the appropriate project and supervisor to maximise your experience
• Quotas may be applied to the degree as a whole or to individual discipline streams and preference may be given to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research
• The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of your application in accordance with the Admission and Selection into Course Policy.

IELTS: Score: 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

TOEFL: Score: 79+, with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13.

PEARSON: Score: 64+, with no communicative skill below 60.

CAMBRIDGE: Score: 176+, with no skill less than 169.