| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-03-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Master of Public Policy
Overview
The Master of Public Policy is designed to nurture current and future leaders of government, non-profit, and private sector organisations that are aimed at pursuing the public interest. Graduates may be employed in a wide variety of public areas, ranging from policy analysis, through to management of departments and agencies.
Career Pathways
The Master of Public Policy is designed to nurture current and future leaders of government, non-profit, and private sector organisations that are aimed at pursuing the public interest. Graduates may be employed in a wide variety of public areas, ranging from policy analysis, through to management of departments and agencies.
Further Study
Graduates may choose to undertake higher degree research, such as Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy. After three years' relevant work experience, students may choose to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
Annual course fee
2025
Full-Fee Paying Place $26,000.00
International Student Fees
Annual course fee
2025
$44,700.00
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Admission Requirements
(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and either: (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; or (c) at least two years professional experience in a relevant occupation; or (2) completed a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy at UWA.
Admission Requirements Update for 2026 Intake
For 2026 intake, to be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have the equivalent of a UWA Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 60 per cent; and any additional requirements as summarised in the Admission Requirements above.
Ranking and Selection Process
Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
English Competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
Course Details
About the Course
The Master of Public Policy will give you a multidisciplinary understanding of the role of government in economic activity and public administration and governance. The course focuses on how government interacts with the economy, law and society. Topics taught include: economic growth, stability, taxation, infrastructure provision, regulation, health, defence, education, comparative law, theories of justice and punishment, public international law and social security.
Quick Details
Status: Available Locations: Perth (Crawley campus) Attendance: Full-time, Part-time Delivery: On-campus Starting dates: Semester 2, Semester 1 Weekly contact time: Up to 12 contact hours per week, plus additional time for study and group work Level of study: Postgraduate Course Code: 42580 CRICOS code: G
Why Study This Course?
- You can take units in Public Administration and Governance, Economics and Law. It’s a unique combination.
- You can take advantage of unique opportunities to put what you have learned into practice in real-life situations.
- If you take the Public Policy or Economics streams, you can undertake a dissertation in Public Administration and Governance.
Course Structure
Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.
- Core - Core Units: Public Policy Program
- Take all units (18 points):
- ECON5516 The Economics of Public Policy (6)
- LAWS5260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Governance (6)
- POLS5501 The Politics of Public Policy (6)
- Take all units (18 points):
- Option - Group 1. Work Integrated Learning
- Take up to 6 points from this group.
- PARL5599 WA Parliamentary Research Program (6)
- SVLG5001 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship (6)
- SVLG5003 Wicked Problems (6)
- WILG5001 Work Integrated Learning Internship Program (6)
- Take up to 6 points from this group.
- Option - Group 2. Dissertation
- For students in the course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 24 points from this group.
- SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills (6)
- SOCS5551 Master's Dissertation Part 1 (6)
- SOCS5552 Master's Dissertation Part 2 (6)
- SOCS5553 Master's Dissertation Part 3 (6)
- For students in the course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 24 points from this group.
- Economics specialisation
- Take all units (12 points):
- ECON5514 Economic Research and Evaluation Methods (6)
- ECON5519 Public Economics (6)
- Take units to the value of 12 points from this group.
- ECON4408 Advanced Development Economics (6)
- ECON4410 Environmental and Resource Economics (6)
- ECON5506 The Economics of Financial Markets (6)
- ECON5515 Economic Growth and Institutions (6)
- ECON5518 Economics of Global Health and Policy (6)
- ECON5521 Economic Policy and Communication (6)
- ECON5570 Health Analytics (6)
- ECON5580 Running Randomised Experiments (6)
- Take all units (12 points):
- Law specialisation
- Students with a law background take all units (6 points):
- LAWS5215 Risk Regulation (6)
- Students without a law background take all units (6 points):
- LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions (6)
- Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:
- LAWS4001 Oceans Governance (6)
- LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6)
- LAWS5167 Comparative Legal Method (6)
- LAWS5223 Theories for Contemporary Criminal Justice (6)
- LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law (6)
- LAWS5226 International Human Rights Law (6)
- LAWS5521 Climate Change Law (6)
- LAWS5540 Environmental Protection Law (6)
- LAWS5577 Governing the Commons: Oceans, ice and outer space (6)
- LAWS5694 Research Paper I (6)
- LAWS5695 Research Paper II (12)
- Students with a law background take all units (6 points):
- Public Administration and Governance specialisation
- Take all units (18 points):
- POLS5503 Public Administration (6)
- POLS5504 Public Sector Leadership in Practice (6)
- POLS5505 Regulation and Governance (6)
- Take 6 points to complete the specialisation.
- COMM5604 Media Governance (6)
- POLS5010 NGOs, Governance and Development (6)
- POLS5686 International Norms, Ethics and Human Rights (6)
- SWSP5611 Indigenous Policy and Practice (6)
- Take all units (18 points):
Get Practical
Students can take a number of unique practical units, including:
- PARL5599 WA Parliamentary Research Program: students act as a research assistant for a Member of Parliament at the Western Australian Parliament.
- WILG5001 Professional Development Practicum A: students undertake a relevant professional placement.
- SVLG5001 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship: students undertake an internship with a not-for-profit, community or government organisation.
- SVLG5003 Wicked Problems: students form small interdisciplinary teams and work with staff, the McCusker Centre for Citizenship and stakeholders on complicated or wicked problems.
Flexibility
We understand that life is busy. That's why our postgraduate courses are designed so you can balance your work and studies. Our flexible postgraduate experience includes the opportunity to study part time, a range of units that are taught after hours, and the option to learn via intensive units. Ask our Student Central team for advice on choosing the right postgraduate route for you. Find out more here.
UWA Public Policy Institute
Accreditation
The UWA Business School is accredited by EQUIS and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and is a Communicating Signatory to Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
Articulated Courses
This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:
- Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
Testimonials
- Thomas Emery
- Stephen Davenport
