Public Policy and Governance

Policymaking plays a key role in the management and change of the economy and society. Policy is part of every field of practice, which has led to a rapid growth in the need for policy professionals in government, business, and social and political organisations. 

The Master of Public Policy and Governance (MPPG) applies a social science perspective to questions of policy and management in modern organisations. You will acquire a solid grounding in policy analysis, policy evaluation and social research, the necessary skills and knowledge domains required for effective engagement within the policy process. You will be able to specialise in an area of direct relevance to your own interests, which may include Social Policy, International Development Policy or Policy Management.

The program will prepare you for professional practice, by fostering analytical skills and a practical appreciation of the processes of policymaking, the significance of research and evidence in driving policy change and the role of stakeholders in effective policy implementation. The Master of Public Policy and Governance places emphasis on developing the skills and perspectives needed for proficient assessment, evaluation and sensitivity to the effectiveness of policy programs in terms of the impact they have on clients, customers and the public. 

Unique to the UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance is the significant policy and research experience of the program’s teaching staff. At UNSW, the staff involved in the MPPG have had direct experience either as policy makers or policy researchers in government, non-government organisations and, the business sectors. Combined, they have over 20 years direct experience working at high levels inside government, from providing policy support to the Council of Australian Governments through to conceptualising, designing and implementing large scale policy across the states. Staff are also actively involved with non-government organisations in providing effectively policy research and evidence to support their advocacy and lobbying activities. These teaching staff bring their real life experience to the classroom, revealing the relationship between theory, research and everyday practice.

The Master of Public Policy and Governance aims to prepare you for work which requires analytical skills and a practical appreciation of the processes of policy-making and implementation. The program is oriented to the practice of policy, and prospective students are required to have relevant work experience. This may be in the public sector, unions, business or community organisations. 

The program has three different streams depending on your existing qualifications: the 1 year stream (A) requires completion of 48 units of credit over 1 year of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); the 1.5 year stream (B) requires completion of 72 units of credit over 1.5 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); and the 2 year stream (C) requires completion of 96 units of credit over 2 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent). Please see below for more information on entry requirements.

MPPG 1 year stream (A)

You have been issued 48 UOC Admission Block Credit. To qualify for the award of the degree, you must successfully complete:

1 core research course (6 UOC)

• SRAP5101 Research Methods and Design (6 UOC)

1 of 2 prescribed research courses (6-12 UOC)

• SRAP5103 Research Report (6 UOC)
• SRAP5104 Research Project (12 UOC)

2 core disciplinary courses (12 UOC)

• SRAP5001 Policy Analysis (6 UOC)
• SRAP5004 Policy Regulation & Governance (6 UOC)

1 of 2 prescribed disciplinary electives (6 UOC)

• SRAP5018 Power, politics and policy (6 UOC)
• SRAP5021 Policy & Digital Advocacy (6 UOC)

2-3 prescribed electives (12-18 UOC)

• COMD5001 Internat. Development Policy (6 UOC)
• COMD5004 Climate Change & Development (6 UOC)
• EDST5436 Evaluation of Educ Prog (6 UOC)
• IEST5500 Enviro Policy (6 UOC)
• LAWS8185 Law, Society in the New Econ. (6 UOC)
• PHCM9381 Policy Studies (6 UOC)
• POLS5120 Global Politics (6 UOC)
• POLS5121 International Organisations (6 UOC)
• POLS5122 IPE (6 UOC)
• SOCW7851 Community Development (6 UOC)
• SOCW7852 Politics of International Aid (6 UOC)
• SOCW7855 Rights Based Project Des&Eval (6 UOC)
• SOCW7858 ISD Project (6 UOC)
• SRAP5019 Social Policy (6 UOC)
• SRAP5106 Academic Writing in Soc Sci (6 UOC)

Alternative electives from across the University may be selected with the permission of the program coordinator.

MPPG 1.5 year stream (B)

You have been issued 24 UOC Admission Block Credit. To qualify for the award of the degree, you must successfully complete:

3 core research courses (18 UOC)

• SRAP5101 Research Methods and Design (6 UOC)
• SRAP5102 Theory, Ethics and Research (6 UOC)
• SRAP5106 Academic Writing in Soc Sci (6 UOC)

1 of 2 prescribed research courses (6-12 UOC)

• SRAP5103 Research Report (6 UOC)
• SRAP5104 Research Project (12 UOC)

2 core disciplinary courses (12 UOC)

• SRAP5001 Policy Analysis (6 UOC)
• SRAP5004 Policy Regulation & Governance (6 UOC)

1 of 2 prescribed disciplinary electives (6 UOC)

• SRAP5018 Power, politics and policy (6 UOC)
• SRAP5021 Policy & Digital Advocacy (6 UOC)

4-5 prescribed electives (24-30 UOC)

• COMD5001 Internat. Development Policy (6 UOC)
• COMD5004 Climate Change & Development (6 UOC)
• EDST5436 Evaluation of Educ Prog (6 UOC)
• IEST5500 Enviro Policy (6 UOC)
• LAWS8185 Law, Society in the New Econ. (6 UOC)
• PHCM9381 Policy Studies (6 UOC)
• POLS5120 Global Politics (6 UOC)
• POLS5121 International Organisations (6 UOC)
• POLS5122 IPE (6 UOC)
• SOCW7851 Community Development (6 UOC)
• SOCW7852 Politics of International Aid (6 UOC)
• SOCW7855 Rights Based Project Des&Eval (6 UOC)
• SOCW7858 ISD Project (6 UOC)
• SRAP5019 Social Policy (6 UOC)

Alternative electives from across the University may be selected with the permission of the program coordinator.

MPPG 2 year stream (C)

To qualify for the award of the degree, you must successfully complete:

3 core research courses (18 UOC)

• SRAP5101 Research Methods and Design (6 UOC)
• SRAP5102 Theory, Ethics and Research (6 UOC)
• SRAP5106 Academic Writing in Soc Sci (6 UOC)

1 of 2 prescribed research courses (6-12 UOC)

• SRAP5103 Research Report (6 UOC)
• SRAP5104 Research Project (12 UOC)

4 disciplinary core courses (24 UOC)

• SRAP5001 Policy Analysis (6 UOC)
• SRAP5004 Policy Regulation & Governance (6 UOC)
• SRAP5018 Power, politics and policy (6 UOC)
• SRAP5021 Policy & Digital Advocacy (6 UOC)

7-8 prescribed elective courses (42-48 UOC)

• COMD5001 Internat. Development Policy (6 UOC)
• COMD5004 Climate Change & Development (6 UOC)
• EDST5436 Evaluation of Educ Prog (6 UOC)
• IEST5500 Enviro Policy (6 UOC)
• LAWS8185 Law, Society in the New Econ. (6 UOC)
• PHCM9381 Policy Studies (6 UOC)
• POLS5120 Global Politics (6 UOC)
• POLS5121 International Organisations (6 UOC)
• POLS5122 IPE (6 UOC)
• SOCW7851 Community Development (6 UOC)
• SOCW7852 Politics of International Aid (6 UOC)
• SOCW7855 Rights Based Project Des&Eval (6 UOC)
• SOCW7858 ISD Project (6 UOC)
• SRAP5019 Social Policy (6 UOC)

Alternative electives from across the University may be selected with the permission of the program coordinator.

For the 1 year stream (A)

• 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 1.5 year stream (B)

• 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%

Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.
* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

For the 2 year stream (C)

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

And

• IELTS Academic version only 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest)
• TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) 90 overall (min.23 in writing, 22 in reading, listening and speaking)
• TOEFL Paper-based Test  (PBT) 577 overall (min. 5.0 in TWE)