Public Administration and Management MPA

UCL School of Public Policy’s MPA programme offers an applied, problem-based approach, blending new theoretical developments and practice, with a view to managing public policies domestically and overseas. The MPA aims to provide participants with the practical tools and the academic knowledge that public policy managers need to implement effectively and successfully achieve their agendas.

The MPA offers a balanced coverage of a wide range of public administration topics, with a strong focus on managing public services and leadership skills. Participants are exposed to public affairs challenges usually faced by public organisations, or related non-profit and private firms. The programme's curricular structure and real-world fieldwork opportunities foster the managerial skills needed to meet today's greater demands for accountability and success from public, non-profit, and private organisations.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules

• Governance and Public Management (30)
• Data Analysis for Policy (30)

Optional modules

• Students choose two of the following (the others remain options):
• Leadership and Organisational Behaviour (15)
• Economic Policy Making (15)
• Policy Implementation (15)
• Public Finance & Budgeting (15)
• Impact Evaluation Methods (15)
• Performance Management & Accountability (15)
• Policy Advice (15)
• Choose further modules up to a value of 30 credits in total from an extensive list available at here. The following are suggestions:
• The following are suggestions:
• Health Policy and Reform (15)
• Public Policy Economics & Analysis (15)
• Making Public Policy (15)
• Policy-Making & Regulation in Europe (15)
• The European Union, Globalisation and the State (15)
• Agenda Setting (15)
• Strategy and Organisational Change (15)
• British Government & Politics (15)
• Law & Regulation 1 (15)
• International Political Economy (15)

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment is through a variety of methods, including essays, unseen examinations, graded coursework and a dissertation.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university, or 3.3 GPA, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. In addition, two years of relevant work experience will normally be required.