Masters (Coursework)
The UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree, that applies a social science perspective to real-world questions of policy, research and management in modern organisations.
The UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree, that applies a social science perspective to real-world questions of policy, research and management in modern organisations. Through this master's degree, you'll prepare for roles that require research and analytical skills, and a practical appreciation of the processes of policymaking, policy analysis, and policy implementation.
This degree helps you to develop the skills and perspectives needed for the assessment, evaluation, and sensitivity of public policy. You'll explore the impacts research, public policy and governance have on clients, customers and the public.
Research and real-world experience
The Master of Public Policy and Governance is grounded in real-world experience. As a student of this degree, you'll have the opportunity to undertake a research project or a minor dissertation on a topic of your choosing. We give you the flexibility to choose research topics that pique your interest.
Learn from the best
Our academics have extensive experience working on key policy issues and are research method experts, which give our graduates a competitive advantage. They are thought leaders in a range of diverse fields from welfare, to environmental policy, to refugee rights and more. Just like you, they're passionate about a range of important and contemporary policy issues including refugees, animal welfare, gendered violence, environmental policy and much more.
There are three different streams of the Master of Public Policy and Governance. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to public policy and governance.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream
For the 1.7 year stream
For the 2 year stream
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
Relevant disciplines for these programs include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Research and Policy; Social Work.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
There are three different streams of the Master of Public Policy and Governance. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to public policy and governance.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream
For the 1.7 year stream
For the 2 year stream
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
^Students from a non-211 university in China are now required to have a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW distinction average (75%).
Relevant disciplines for these programs include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Research and Policy; Social Work.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
You'll graduate with the skills, experience and depth of critical understanding to work in diverse areas of policy and governance, nationally and internationally in policymaking, public administration, research and advocacy in the private and public sectors.