Masters applications for 2023 entry are now closed.
Applications for September 2024 will open on Monday 25 September. Applications are now open for programmes with a January 2024 start. View our programmes »
Overview
- Engage with big questions of how government should respond to public pressure and key issues facing the public sector such as effective leadership, performance management, governance and decision-making
- We take an international perspective to equip you with the skills and understanding you need to operate effectively in an increasingly global and constantly changing environment
- Learn from research-active academics, together with real-world case studies, ensuring learning is relevant and informed by best practice
- Our comprehensive programme induction helps you adjust to postgraduate study and enables you to get to know the academic team and your fellow students in a relaxed and informal environment
- Gain a qualification which is recognised around the world and is taken seriously not only by prospective employers but also by organisations who want to retain and progress skilled managers
Top 75 for Public Administration in the Shanghai Rankings of Academic Subjects 2024
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
Top 100 in the world for Politics
Top 75 for Public Administration in the Shanghai Rankings of Academic Subjects 2024
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
Top 100 in the world for Politics
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in a social science subject (including Business and Management) ideally with experience of working in government, public policy or in public sector more broadly. If you have not worked in public policy or administration you should use your personal statement to demonstrate your commitment to a career in public service and we will consider your application.
Please note, if we receive an application which we deem more suitable for one of our other programmes, such as the MSc Public Policy, we may make an offer for that alternative programme instead.
The applied studies programme is designed for public officials who are sponsored by the organisation they work for (for example their department) and is available if your organisation has an agreement with the University, otherwise please apply to the one year MPA.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
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Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
You will study a range of MPA specific modules which introduce you to general ideas about the design and operation of government, the process of policy making, as well as some specific policy issues and tools. You will engage with big questions of how government should respond to public pressure, understand and solve policy problems while at the same time getting into the details of particular challenges facing government.
Small group teaching provides opportunities to network with practitioners working in a variety of roles and organisations from the UK and overseas. As well as providing you with a strong background in the study of government and policy the programme offers the opportunity for you to explore cutting edge ideas related to behavioural public policy, sustainable development, diversity in government and systems thinking.
The MPA equips you with core skills. Mid-career professionals with government sponsorship can take the extended MPA with Applied Studies which provides you with the opportunity to research and seek solutions to issues and challenges you face in the workplace. You will also study in more depth topics such as such as leadership, change management, policy appraisal, and evidence-based policy.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. 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.
90 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| POLM220M |
Management and Governance: Comparing Public Administration around the World | 30 |
| POLM013M |
MPA Dissertation | 60 |
Optional modules
90 Credits from the listed MPA thematic cluster optional modules or 60 credits from below and up to 30 credits from other modules in the Facutly of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| POLM222M |
The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development | 30 |
| POLM237M |
Collaborative and Participatory Governance | 30 |
| POLM887 |
Public Policy Process | 30 |
| POLM228M |
Leadership, Equality and Diversity | 30 |
| POLM342M |
Public Accountability and Governance | 30 |
Stage 1
90 credits of compulsory MPA modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| POLM220M |
Management and Governance: Comparing Public Administration around the World | 30 |
| POLM013M |
MPA Dissertation | 60 |
Optional modules
90 credits from the listed optional MPA thematic cluster modules or 60 credits from below and up to 30 credits from other modules in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies.
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| POLM222M |
The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development | 30 |
| POLM887 |
Public Policy Process | 30 |
| POLM237M |
Collaborative and Participatory Governance | 30 |
Stage 2
Compulsory modules
60 credits of compulsory MPA modules.
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| POLM014M |
MPA Applied Studies | 60 |
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,500 full-time; £6,500 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time
With Applied Study
Prospective students enrolling in 2025/26 will pay £31,300 tuition fees in total. Year 1: £25,300, Year 2: £6,000 (9 months).
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
Programme structure
Your course will normally be delivered in a mix of intensive teaching blocks and weekly sessions, this depends on the specific module selected.
Intensive modules will consist of:
- A preparation period (guided readings and preparatory research)
- Three to four days of intensive seminars, lectures/talks and workshops spread over up to three weeks
- Post-teaching period (reflection, task completion, preparation of assessed work)
Non-intensive modules meet once a week through term time.
Teaching methods
Content and delivery will include not only traditional teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars and workshops, but depending on your choice of modules may involve:
- Task-oriented work including case-study work
- Reflective journals, presentations from visiting speakers with public sector experience
- Field trips to local or regional public bodies
You will benefit from excellent online learning resources including lecture notes, articles, and presentations.
Induction
The programme includes an induction to welcome you to the Exeter MPA and help you adjust to postgraduate study. We will provide practical help and advice on subjects such as study and research skills and be available to answer any of your questions.
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Professor Oliver James
Programme Director
Professor Duncan Russel
Professor in Environmental Policy
Dr Stephen Greasley
Senior Lecturer
Professor Oliver James
Programme Director
Oliver works on the politics of public services, citizen-provider relationships, public sector organisation and reform, executive politics (particularly politician-administrator relations) and regulation of publicly owned and/or funded bodies and services. He uses a range of methods including survey and field experiments.
As well as his primary interest in academic research and teaching, he works with public sector organisations in the UK and elsewhere, and has acted as a consultant to bodies including the World Bank, OECD, UK Treasury, UK National Audit Office and UK Audit Commission.
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Professor Duncan Russel
Professor in Environmental Policy
Duncan Russel is a Professor in Environmental Policy. His research and teaching interests include UK and European climate, climate and public policy, policy appraisal and coordination, evidence and policy interactions and budgetary politics.
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Dr Stephen Greasley
Senior Lecturer
Stephen’s research and teaching interests are in public policy and administration. He has a particular interest in various types of arm’s length governance and the way that these are, or are not influenced, by the political system. His research has primarily focused on the UK at national and local levels. Stephen teaches on the core module Policy and Politics: the theory and Strategy of Delivering Public Services.
Profile page
I had been serving my country as a public official at the Office of the Judiciary under the Court of Justice of Thailand for almost six years before I started the MPA. I would certainly recommend the Exeter MPA to someone who considering studying in the field of public administration.
The programme is dynamic and open for independent study. Modules are kept up-to-date with the current challenges in public administration, and are well facilitated with the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE), giving access to all essential materials students need online.
The Exeter MPA is an excellent programme to personally transform you by learning and sharing ideas and experience with the Faculty, your classmates and other members in the community at Exeter. If you are looking for change in your life for a brighter future, or a way to contribute positive change in your career or organisation, the Exeter MPA programme is the right programme for you.
Read more from Kritsanant
Kritsanant
Master of Public Administration graduate from Thailand
Information for employers and sponsors
Employer benefits
The range of opportunities offered by the core and elective modules allows participants to plot a course which best matches your immediate business priorities as well as individuals’ professional development needs. Your organisation will benefit from:
- Increased knowledge and skills relevant to management competencies
- An understanding of key skills that underpin the requirements of modernising public sector organisations
- Enhanced knowledge and skills in policy making and delivery
- The latest thinking on issues faced by public sector organisations in the UK and overseas
Working together
We are keen to work with you to help you and your managers get the best out of the Exeter MPA and have a good track record of collaborating with sponsors and employers. In each year of the degree, we have welcomed students with extensive experience working in the public sector and on policy issues.
How we can support your organisation
We aim to take a flexible approach to programme delivery and will be happy to discuss any specific requirements of sponsoring organisations such as:
- Agreeing learning outcomes
- Negotiating work-based projects to deliver business improvements
- Tailoring assessment around specific management competencies
- Single module delivery or bespoke training
- Competitive fee packages for groups of students from the same employer
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Careers
Who is this course for?
This degree is most suitable for applicants with experience of working in public management or governance broadly defined, for example:
- national, regional and local governments and their partner organisations
- not-for profit bodies
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- charities
- companies working with government
- consultancies
- think tanks
- research institutes
- campaigning organisations
Many of our students have already embarked on a career in public service, but we do accept students who have demonstrated a commitment to a role and career in public governance, NGOs, and international organisations.
Careers
We have a long history of teaching public administration and public policy to postgraduates at Exeter. Students have gone on to careers in regional governments, ministries, embassies and other organisations around the world.
Employer-valued skills
The need to develop management and leadership skills is being recognised as increasingly important within the public sector and this has been reflected by the introduction of management competencies and a growing demand for formal qualifications for senior management positions.
There are many reasons to study for the Exeter MPA including:
- Enhancing your opportunities for career progression
- Obtaining a wider perspective of the environment in which you work
- Developing strategic decision making and leadership skills
- Improving your confidence and credibility in the workplace
- Gaining more knowledge about other people and other organisations
- Networking and sharing experiences with public sector colleagues
Careers support
Our careers advisory service provides expert guidance to all students to enable them to plan their futures through psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation.
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