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The MPA programme in the Department of Political Science 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.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. In addition, two years of relevant work experience will be required. In extraordinary circumstances substantial internships would be considered towards the 2 years working experience requirement.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
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. Examples of some themes of focus include:
- Characteristics of Multilevel Governance
- Organisational arrangements to implement public policies, such as public-private partnerships, networks, public agencies, among others.
- Interpretation of the economics of public policy
- Cost/Benefit Analysis
- Managing public services
- Leadership in public, private and non-profit organisations
- Policy Evaluation
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).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MPA in Public Administration and Management.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Governance and Public Management (30)
- Data Analysis for Policy (30)
Optional modules
Choose two of the following (the others remain options). Please note that the precise list may vary year to year:
- Leadership and Organisational Behaviour (15)
- Policy Implementation (15)
- Impact Evaluation Methods (15)
- Public Finance & Budgeting (15)
- Policy Advice (15)
Further modules can be chosen up to a value of 30 credits in total from a list available on our website. The full list of modules offered by the Department is subject to change year-to-year.
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.
Additional costs
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding.
Funding
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
GREAT Scholarship
- Value:
- £11,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on academic merit
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
On completion of the MPA, participants will be able to develop their careers further within public, private, or non-profit leading organisations. They will be equipped with the knowledge and the capabilities to take positions of responsibility, administrating and implementing different aspects of public policies.
Employability
The MPA will develop key management skills in administrating and implementing public policies. Students will acquire critical abilities to analyse public policies; they will also develop their leadership capacity and gain understanding of how different institutional arrangements can be used to deliver public services. They will also be exposed to a series of cases to advance their strategic decision-making skills.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The programme addresses the needs of policy implementation and administration leaders who require management theories but at the same time have to consider the specificities of each of the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
This MPA will deliver the essential knowledge and skills managers require in order to think creatively and to innovate in an ever more complex and constantly evolving multi-actor environment.
Programme participants will discover an excellent forum to assess their managerial skills and administration competencies with a view to improving their performance at work.
Department: Political Science
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is suitable for graduates with an interest in public administration and management who wish to use the MPA for developing their careers either in public, private or non-profit organisations.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 30 July 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Public Administration and Management at graduate level
- why you want to study Public Administration and Management at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
When it is necessary to calculate a final average mark, the department will calculate all years of undergraduate study.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 17 December 2020
