Program Overview

Leadership in Public Administration

The course aim is to prepare students for advanced study and research in the field of public sector leadership. A related aim is to increase individual student understanding of the public sector as a working life context, in which a better grasp of administrative and other leadership issues can be instrumental in forwarding careers. The starting point is that public institutions, organizations and a variety of public policy processes are formative for public sector leadership. Independent course work should contribute to building such individual competence as is required for leading positions in state, local or international organizations where different public policy guidelines, whether directly or indirectly, are crucial to activities.

Course Details

• Type: Course, second cycle
• Study pace: Full time
• Study location: Umeå
• Type of studies: On campus

About the Course

Course work comprises instructed, self-determined and cooperative formats. Independent literature studies are reported in writing and orally. Self-organized seminars, i.e. led by participants, are also part of the required course work. Initial lectures are given by the course instructor and guest-lectures from practitioners and/or researchers in the field of public leadership are organized according to availability. Large part of the course work is aimed at authoring a written report under scientific guidance from the course instructor. The report may focus upon a particular organizational context in which administrative change is planned, ongoing or recently finished. Alternatively, the individual report may focus upon a theoretically or conceptually driven analysis based on secondary empirical observations.

Eligibility

• At least 90 credits in a subject within the social sciences as a main field of study, including a thesis of at least 15 credits.
• Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary course English 6. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Selection

• Academic credits

Application and Tuition Fees

• Application fee: SEK 900
• Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 24,150
• Total fee: SEK 24,150

Course Schedule

• Starts: 3 November 2025
• Ends: 18 January 2026
• Number of credits: 15 credits
• Type of studies: On site
• Study pace: 100%
• Teaching hours: Daytime
• Study location: Umeå
• Language: English
• Application code: UMU-F2602

Additional Information

• The course is given by the Department of Political Science.
• The course is part of the university's efforts to provide high-quality education and research in the field of public administration.