نظرة عامة على البرنامج

---

Master of Public Policy

The Faculty of Business, Government and Law's Master of Public Policy is applied, multi-disciplinary, contemporary and fully online with a core focus on data analytics, economic modelling, policy analysis and policy evaluation. The Master of Public Policy is aimed at middle level managers and professionals in the workforce industries that service the community in Canberra and Australia more widely including the Australian Public Service, local and state governments and not-for-profit sectors aiming to influence government policy.

About this course

The degree has a broader focus beyond the practice of lobbying to include advocacy and is aimed at professionals in both the government and non-government organisations providing a practically orientated 'transformative experience'. The design of the degree is informed by an Indigenous engagement strategy, central to the mission of the University of Canberra and includes a complex and critical issues focus relevant to the needs of a changing and dynamic public sector in Australia. These include policy development, project and stakeholder management, project planning and development skills and policy implementation. The degree draws on leading practitioners, industry experts and world leading academics from the Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, Canberra Law School, Canberra Business School, the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling, the Centre for Change Governance, the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, Democracy 2025 and the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Canberra.

Admission requirements

A completed bachelors degree or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Public Policy or the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy or the Graduate Certificate in Policy Evaluation.

Assumed knowledge

None.

Periods course is open for new admissions

• Year: 2026
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 1
  • Teaching start date: 19 January 2026
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2026
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 2
  • Teaching start date: 16 March 2026
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2026
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 3
  • Teaching start date: 11 May 2026
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2026
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 4
  • Teaching start date: 06 July 2026
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2026
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 5
  • Teaching start date: 31 August 2026
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2026
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 6
  • Teaching start date: 26 October 2026
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2027
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 1
  • Teaching start date: 18 January 2027
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2027
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 2
  • Teaching start date: 15 March 2027
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2027
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 3
  • Teaching start date: 10 May 2027
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2027
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 4
  • Teaching start date: 05 July 2027
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2027
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 5
  • Teaching start date: 30 August 2027
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.
• Year: 2027
  • Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Teaching period: Study Block 6
  • Teaching start date: 25 October 2027
  • Domestic:
  • International: This course is only available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.

Credit arrangements

A credit transfer arrangement is available for this course for the following institutions:

• University Of Canberra
  • Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (29178)
  • Graduate Diploma in Public Policy (29138)

Course requirements

Master of Public Policy (SCM101) | 36 credit points

• Required - Must pass 33 credit points as follows:
  • Foundations of Public Policy G (11790) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Equity, Leadership and Policy G (11791) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Evidence Based Policy Analysis G (11792) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Data Analytics and Public Policy G (11793) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Policy Analysis and Evaluation G (11794) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Communicating Policy Expertise G (11795) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Co-Design and Deliberative Engagement G (11796) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Public Policy Governance and Law G (11797) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Leadership Risk and Managing Change PG (11798) | 3 credit points — Level P
  • Contemporary Policy Issues PG (11799) | 3 credit points — Level P
  • Public Policy Research Project PG (11801) | 3 credit points — Level P
• Restricted Choice - Must pass 3 credit points from the following:
  • Applied Policy Report PG (11800) | 3 credit points — Level P
  • Communicating with Diverse Audiences G (11938) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • Gender Equality, Policy and Advocacy G (12203) | 3 credit points — Level G
  • LGBTQIA+ Policy and Advocacy G (12204) | 3 credit points — Level G

Typical study pattern

The standard duration for this course is 2 years (12 Study Blocks). The maximum duration is 5 years from date of enrolment to date of course completion.

Course information

Course duration

The standard duration for this course is 2 years (12 Study Blocks). The maximum duration is 5 years from date of enrolment to date of course completion.

Learning outcomes

• Judiciously apply data analytical and key modelling tools and techniques to inform the policy making process.
• Synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, theories and practical considerations as part of rigorous evidence-based policy approach.
• Design solutions to incorporate diverse stakeholder groups including levels of government, non-government organisations, external stakeholders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to achieve improved public policy outcomes.
• Develop high level communication skills to effectively communicate ministerial briefs, departmental briefs, applied policy reports and public policy research projects to a range of relevant audiences.
• Demonstrate advanced core competencies in foundations of public policy, policy analysis, policy evaluation, governance, leadership, equity, co-design and public participation.
• Propose a range of approaches and techniques, including co-design, to achieve equitable outcomes in policy development and policy implementation.

Awards

• Award: Master of Public Policy
  • Official abbreviation: M PubPolicy

Alternative exits

• SCC101 Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
• SCC102 Graduate Certificate in Policy Evaluation
• SCC103 Graduate Certificate in Gender Policy
• SCC104 Graduate Certificate in LGBTQIA+ Policy
• SCG101 Graduate Diploma in Public Policy

Enrolment data

2023 enrolments for this course by location. Please note that enrolment numbers are indicative only and in no way reflect individual class sizes.

• Location: UC - Canberra, Online
  • Enrolments: 94

English language requirements

• An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).

Delivery mode

• Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
• On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
• Online: All units are online.
• Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.

Location

All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.

Selection rank

The selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors required for admission to the program in the previous year. This is an indicative guide only as ranks change each year depending on demand.

Fees

• Per Unit:
• Per Annum:
• Full Course:
• 2025: $3,525
• 2026: $3,625

Fees disclaimer

• Annual fee rates: The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.
• Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.

AQF level

University of Canberra qualifications are recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

• Level 5 - Diploma
• Level 6 - Associate Degree
• Level 7 - Bachelor Degree
• Level 8 - Bachelor Honours Degree OR Graduate Certificate OR Graduate Diploma
• Level 9 - Masters Degree
• Level 10 - Doctoral Degree

Prior work and study recognition

UC recognises the value of your experience. You can unlock course credit or even get direct entry into a postgraduate degree.