Program Overview

---

Public Administration (MPA)

Award

Master of Public Administration

Typical Offer

2:1 degree

Duration

1 year

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Highfield

Next course starts

September 2025

About this course

Gain the skills to analyse governance, policy-making and administration across different areas of government on our 1 year Master of Public Administration (MPA) course.

Explore public policy design and learn how organisations deal with major policy problems and the societal effects of policy choices. You’ll cover local, national and global perspectives.

Understanding the role of public administration in implementing government policy can benefit both individuals and society, on a local to global scale.

On this flexible UK master’s in public administration you’ll explore:

• modern policy-making and administration
• public policy design and delivery
• public and non-profit organisations and their approach to major policy challenges
• the effects of policy choices on society

You’ll develop understanding of the:

• core public administration theoretical and practice-related perspectives
• main issues and events shaping public administration in national and regional settings
• central philosophical and methodological debates related to the study and practice of public administration
• ways in which governance systems differ
• skills to design and complete a dissertation on a specialist topic in the field of public administration

You'll also receive training in research design and will carry out individual, original research as part of your dissertation.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr John Boswell. John’s current research looks at public engagement in relation to health spending and the relationship between old and new media in understanding unfolding or unexpected events. Visit Dr Boswell’s profile page to learn more about his work.

Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 degree with any background in social sciences, such as:

• politics
• public administration
• economics
• sociology
• social policy
• business management

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Course structure

The master’s in Public Administration takes place over 1 year, across 2 semesters. It includes 6 modules and a dissertation.

You’ll study modules that give you a thorough grounding in the academic study of public administration. Later in your course you’ll be able to choose modules that interest you from across our social sciences subjects.

You’ll also undertake a module that prepares you for the dissertation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Advanced Policy Analysis
• Comparative Public Administration
• Issues in Contemporary Public Administration
• MPA Capstone
• MSc Dissertation in Politics & International Relations
• Public Ethics and Public Policy

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Ageing, Health and Well-being
• Challenges of Governance
• Demographic Change, Ageing & Globalisation
• Development and International Relations
• International Social Policy
• Migration Policy in Practice
• Population, Poverty & Policy
• Professional Skills for the 21st Century Policy World
• Qualitative Research Methods 1
• Qualitative Research Methods 2
• The Political Psychology of Crises and Conflicts
• Theories of Leadership

Learning and assessment

Learning

As well as lectures and student-led seminars you’ll experience a range of teaching and learning formats, including:

• problem-solving workshops
• case analysis
• supervised independent research
• independent study

The majority of modules are taught as seminars where you can discuss the topics you’re learning about in small groups.

You'll also prepare papers and lead seminar discussions to develop your verbal and written communication skills.

Assessment

We’ll assess you using written assessment exercises including:

• independent research papers
• critical literature reviews
• case analyses

Depending on the module, we may assess you on your individual and group presentations. If you're studying the 20-month course, we’ll assess your placement through a reflective journal and final, written report.

Dissertation

You’ll complete a 12,500 to 15,000 word dissertation to demonstrate the knowledge and research skills you’ve gained during the course.

Your supervisor will provide regular advice, guidance and feedback on your progress.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Leadership
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• EDI leadership
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Central Government
• Local government
• Charity and Third Sector
• Non governmental organisations

Careers directly related to this course:

• Civil servant
• Governance officer
• Political advisor
• Public affairs specialist
• Development coordinator
• Public relations manager
• Logistics analyst
• Human resources manager
• Financial analyst

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Charity manager
• Park manager
• Data analyst
• Environmental consultant
• Budget analyst
• Economic consultant
• Policy manager

See more

Example job titles of Southampton Master of Public Administration graduates*:

• Professional services manager
• Civil servant
• Policy support officer
• Project manager
• Data analyst
• Legal associate
• Consultant

See more

Job prospects for Master of Public Administration graduates

£31k

Average professional salary

89%

In a skilled profession or further study

100%

Graduate employment rate

Source

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Economic, Social and Political Sciences.

Find out more about the Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
• International students: Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]