Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value

Curriculum

This globally unique programme provides an in-depth understanding of innovation in economics, technology and organisations—alongside cutting-edge thinking around public administration and governance. Students graduate the programme understanding the theories that shape current practice and with the tools to re-imagine the role of the state. These skills are in demand. 

We offer three modes of study:

• Full time: 1 year
• Part time: 2 years
• Modular/Flexible: Up to 5 years

For full-time students the course takes place across three terms, moving from theory to practice. The course begins with foundations in economics and politics in Term One. In Term Two, we focus on organisations and design practice; students also choose optional modules from across UCL, allowing them to focus on particular areas of interest. The course culminates in Term Three with students either taking part in a placement or writing a supervised thesis. 

The core modules combine weekly lectures, which are often highly interactive, involving debate and case studies, with small-group seminars, where students dive deeper into particular readings and tools. These activities are enriched by regular guest lectures, events, and opportunities for students to contribute to IIPP’s on-going research and policy action. 

The course offers three pathways, each tailored towards the needs of our students to ensure you get the most out of your studies: 

• Public Administration pathway offers you an opportunity to specialise in the ways in which governments can increase public sector capabilities to tackle the main challenges faced by societies; 
• Economic Policy and Political Economy pathway is for students interested in exploring the relationship between states and markets, and the economic challenges facing modern capitalist economies; 
• Digital Transformation pathway is designed for students to develop critical digital era skills in the public sector. 

Term one

In term one you will take four 15 credit core modules:

• New Economic Thinking and Public Value (15 credits)
• Economics of Innovation and Public Purpose (15 credits)
• Politics, Power and Systems Change (15 credits)
• Making Decisions: Evidence and Evaluation (15 credits)

Term two

In term two you will take two 15 credit core modules, and 30 credits of optional modules. 

Core modules:

• Creative Bureaucracies (15 credits)
• Transformation by Design (15 credits)

 For the Public Administration pathway, example elective modules include:  

• Digital Transformation (15 credits) 
• Rethinking Capitalism: (15 Credits)  
• Contemporary Political Philosophy II: Social Justice and Equality (15 credits) 
• Urban Innovation and Policy (15 credits) 
• Development, Technology and Innovation Policy (15 credits) 
• Smart Cities: Context, Policy & Government (15 credits) 
• Social Diversity, Inequality and Poverty (30 credits) 

For the Economic Policy and Political Economy pathway, example elective modules include: 

• The Economics of Property Rights (15 credits) 
• Energy, Technology and Innovation (15 credits) 
• Energy, Environment and Resources in Developing Countries (15 credits) 
• International Political Economy (15 credits) 
• Governing Global Business (15 credits) 
• The Political Economy of Development (15 credits) 
• Topics in Economic History (15 credits) 
• Latin American Economics (15 credits) 
• Systems Thinking and System Dynamics (15 credits) 
• Environmental Economics: Principles and Policy (15 credits) 
• Environmental and Development in Latin America: Revisiting the Open Veins (15 credits) 
• International Development: Theory, Policy and Practice (15 credits) 
• Social Justice and Alternatives to Capitalism (15 credits) 
• Social Diversity, Inequality and Poverty (15 credits) 
• Prosperity from Below: The Informal, the Illicit and the Popular (15 credits) 
• Political Economy of Science (15 credits) 

For the Digital Transformation pathway, example elective modules include: 

• Digital Sociology (15 credits) 
• Global Digital Humanities (15 credits) 
• History and Theory of Digital Design (15 credits) 
• Mining Social and Geographic Datasets (15 credits) 
• Digital Rights (15 credits) 
• Digital Health (15 credits) 
• Emerging Dilemmas in Digital Technology Policy (15 credits) 
• Digital Strategy and Transformation (15 credits) 
• Anthropolgy of Technics and Technology (15 credits) 
• Gender, Social Movements, and Digital Activism (15 credits) 
• Information Governance (15 credits) 
• Digitalisation in Infrastructure (15 credits) 
• Informatic Cultures: The Anthropology of Data, Algorithms and Computation (15 credits) 

Please note that the list of  modules given here is indicative rather than exhaustive. This information is published in advance of enrolment and availability and is subject to change.

Term three

You will choose one of the following pathways:

• Placement Programme (60 credits)
• Policy Analysis Thesis (60 credits)

Placements

How to apply

The entry requirements are a minimum of an upper second-class honours’ bachelor’s degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard. Please refer to the Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value MPA page on the UCL Graduate Prospectus to find the equivalent entry requirements for the country studied in. If your education was not conducted in an English majority speaking country, you will also be required to take an English language test to evidence adequate English proficiency. The English level for this programme is Advanced. Two years relevant work experience is recommended, though not a requirement to be considered for the programme.

If you meet the entry requirements and would like to apply for our MPA programme, you can submit an application online via the Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value MPA page on the UCL Graduate Prospectus.

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