Program Overview

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration course is designed to provide the intellectual foundations for students aspiring to a career in leadership of public services. This course aims to equip students with the skills to progress to a leadership role in public services, whether that be in the public, voluntary, or private sectors.

Course Overview

The course is taught by academics based in the Policy Evaluation Research Unit (PERU), an internationally recognized policy-research unit with particular expertise in models of public service delivery and policy making. The unit has a 15-year track record of research in the UK and Europe and links with institutions in the US and South East Asia.

Fact File

• Entry year: September 2025
• Typical annual fees:
  • Home: £10,250
  • Overseas: £20,000
• Course length:
  • 1 year full-time
  • 2 years part-time

Course Information

The course provides a grounding in theoretical models of public services, economics of public policy, and models of leadership, governance, and finance. Options allow students to study public administration in more depth, including the use of evidence in public services, new models of public service delivery, and global challenges and solutions, as well as contemporary policy issues.

Core Modules

• Leadership, Governance, Resources, and Complexity: This module provides an awareness of and an ability to critique current approaches to leadership, governance, and finance in public services.
• Relational Public Administration: This module introduces and explores in detail an important emerging area of public administration and public management practice.
• Dissertation: The dissertation is an opportunity to explore a public administration and/or policy issue in greater depth, under the supervision of a member of the expert faculty.

Option Modules

• Evaluation and Evidence-Based Policy: This module introduces a selection of research, evaluation, and evidence-based policy, examining critical questions of public policy.
• Placement: Students undertake a project-based placement with an organization operating in an area relevant to public administration.

Study and Assessment

• Study:
  • Full-time: 25% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 75% independent study
  • Part-time: 25% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 75% independent study
• Assessment:
  • Full-time: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination
  • Part-time: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Entry Requirements

• Normally, at least a 2:2 UK undergraduate honors degree or international equivalent.
• Relevant postgraduate study, research, or professional experience may be considered for those with a different background.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students:
  • Full-time fee: £10,250 per year
  • Part-time fee: £1,709 per 30 credits
• EU and non-EU international students:
  • Full-time fee: £20,000 per year
  • Part-time fee: £3,334 per 30 credits

Careers Support and Prospects

The course aims to provide students with the skills to progress to a leadership role in public services. It also prepares students to continue a career in undertaking research into the new public service landscape. Manchester Metropolitan University offers various support services, including career advice and opportunities to build skills for the future.

Additional Information

• The university has a student protection plan in place, which sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close.
• The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England, and Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the OfS.