Masters in Public Administration (MPA)

The MPA will help you develop the qualities required for advancement in a public service career. It will provide you with a rigorous understanding of the key concepts and issues underpinning the practice of public administration internationally, along with the ability to critically analyse policies, structures and systems of public administration. The programme is ideal for candidates wishing to pursue careers in public policy or strategic management  in government organisations or public agencies at local, regional, national or international levels.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Taught, continuing professional development

Study Options: Full time, part time

Duration: UK/EU students can choose between full time (12 months) and part-time (24 months) study

Start date: September

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Contact

Full-time enquiries:
Debra Beard
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5034
Email: d.l.beard@bham.ac.uk  

Dr Adrian Campbell
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4973
Email: a.campbell@bham.ac.uk
 
Part-time enquiries:
 Jasvinder Sihre
Tel: + 44 (0)121 414 4975
Email: j.sihre@bham.ac.uk 

Dr Peter Watt
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4983
Email: p.a.watt@bham.ac.uk

  1. School of Government and Society
  1. Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV)
Course details

Details

This is a world-class masters programme, for high-flying and committed public service professionals. It is intended to provide students with:

  • A rigorous understanding of the key concepts and issues underpinning the practice of public administration internationally
  • The ability to critically analyse policies, structures and systems of public administration
  • A thorough understanding of the processes of public policy and management and the factors that may influence the success or failure of public policies
  • An understanding of how leadership works in a governmental context
  • A critical understanding of public finance at international, national and sub-national levels

The programme is ideal for candidates wishing to pursue careers in public policy or strategic management  in government organisations or public agencies at local, regional, national or international levels. 

Modules

Core modules are:

  • Governance
  • Making Policy
  • International Public Management
  • Leadership and Management Development
  • Managing Public Money

Elective modules include:

  • Marketing Public Services
  • Outcomes, Performance and Resources
  • Law, Regulation and Finance of Commissioning
  • Public Policy Research Methods
  • Leading and Managing Change in Criminal Justice
  • Strategic Commissioning
  • Community Governance and Leadership
  • Collaborative Strategy
  • Participation and Democracy:
  • Public Service Procurement and Contracting
  • Urban Regeneration and Renewal
  • State and City In Europe and Asia
  • Advanced Political Analysis
  • Pluralism and Disagreement in Modern Societies
  • Political Violence and Terrorism
  • Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding and World Politics
  • International Political Economy
  • International Economic Management
  • Development and Emerging Inequalities in Europe
  • European Emerging Markets
  • Religion and Development
  • E-governance
  • Understanding Organisations
  • Conflict, Security and Development

Fees and funding

Fees for 2013 - 14:

  • UK/EU full-time: £9,540
  • UK/EU part-time: £4,770
  • International full-time: £13,200

Please check with the Department for the latest fees information.

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships
 IDD offers up to four bursaries up to the value of 50% of students' fees (Home or EU). Please contact the Department directly for more information (tel: +44 (0)121 414 5034; email: idd@bham.ac.uk). Scholarships may also be available.

International students can often gain funding through charitable foundations, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information contact the School directly or visit studenthelp.bham.ac.uk 

Entry requirements

The normal admission requirement for our taught postgraduate programmes is a good first degree or an equivalent professional qualification. Subject to interview and a written statement, candidates without a first degree who have work experience relevant to the study of local policy and politics, may be admitted.

Learn more about entry requirements.

International students:

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Print this page

Download as PDF

Send to a friend

Register your interest

Apply to study here

Contact

Full-time enquiries:
Debra Beard
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5034
Email: d.l.beard@bham.ac.uk  

Dr Adrian Campbell
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4973
Email: a.campbell@bham.ac.uk
 
Part-time enquiries:
 Jasvinder Sihre
Tel: + 44 (0)121 414 4975
Email: j.sihre@bham.ac.uk 

Dr Peter Watt
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4983
Email: p.a.watt@bham.ac.uk

  1. School of Government and Society
  1. Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV)
Overview
Learning and teaching

Learning and teaching

Learning, teaching and assessment

An interactive approach is used, with an emphasis on group work discussion and presentations, reinforced by lectures and seminars. Problem-based case studies from practice are used extensively. The programme’s six modules are assessed by a combination of written assignments and examinations (or time-limited assignments), plus a dissertation in which the student prepares a longer piece of research-based work, with guidance and support from an academic supervisor.

Print this page

Download as PDF

Send to a friend

Register your interest

Apply to study here

Contact

Full-time enquiries:
Debra Beard
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5034
Email: d.l.beard@bham.ac.uk  

Dr Adrian Campbell
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4973
Email: a.campbell@bham.ac.uk
 
Part-time enquiries:
 Jasvinder Sihre
Tel: + 44 (0)121 414 4975
Email: j.sihre@bham.ac.uk 

Dr Peter Watt
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4983
Email: p.a.watt@bham.ac.uk

  1. School of Government and Society
  1. Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV)
Course details
Employability

Employability

Careers

The MPA is ideal for candidates wishing to pursue careers in public policy, the strategic management in government organisations or public agencies, at local, regional, national or international levels. It may also enable public managers to broaden their careers either through moving to a different area of the public or voluntary sectors or through moving into consultancy.

Print this page

Download as PDF

Send to a friend

Register your interest

Apply to study here

Contact

Full-time enquiries:
Debra Beard
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5034
Email: d.l.beard@bham.ac.uk  

Dr Adrian Campbell
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4973
Email: a.campbell@bham.ac.uk
 
Part-time enquiries:
 Jasvinder Sihre
Tel: + 44 (0)121 414 4975
Email: j.sihre@bham.ac.uk 

Dr Peter Watt
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4983
Email: p.a.watt@bham.ac.uk

  1. School of Government and Society
  1. Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV)
Learning and teaching