Program Overview
The Master's (Postgraduate Certificate) in Delivery and Change for Public Services at University of York is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered fully online. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in interdisciplinary studies, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 12 months, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in interdisciplinary studies.
Key Program Features
Why choose Public Administration at York?
Explore the critical issues that drive policies in government and on the ground. Enrich your knowledge of international service delivery in government and non-profit organisations. You'll understand how policies support people's everyday needs around the world.
Be supported by internationally-renowned experts from around the world. Our staff regularly contribute to news media and advise governments and institutions across the globe. Their research and expertise will guide your learning, developing your own critical thinking in the process.
Build a nuanced skill set whilst studying for a professional qualification. You'll graduate with the specialist expertise to conduct high quality research in public policy. You'll develop the knowledge desired for a range of careers. This includes policy advising, lobbying, political research, journalism and academia.
Study what you're passionate about. Our wide range of option modules cover a wide range of topics. From the politics of security to the politics of global trade, with both policy-based and theoretical approaches. These option modules allow you to explore your personal interests to a much greater depth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZlyWgSYFX0
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
From social and political research to journalism, marketing and HR, a Masters in Public Administration leads to a broad range of career opportunities.
Our students have found work in central or local government, non-governmental organisations, community and voluntary organisations, social enterprise, higher education, accountancy and banking organisations, law firms, media companies and international and global development bodies.
Our students go on to careers in international organisations, the media, law, the civil service, politics, journalism and business.
This course is an excellent pathway to careers in a wide range of private and public sector organisations, and for further academic study in international relations and political science.
Career opportunities
- Diplomatic services officer
- Head of finance
- Senior fundraiser
- Service manager for impact and intelligence
- Chief quality & finance officer for a charity
- Business development officer
Transferable skills
- Reflective independent learning
- The ability to research, source and examine information thoroughly
- The capacity to critically analyse evidence and construct coherent arguments
- Excellent written and oratory skills
- Intellectual independence and autonomy
- Teamworking skills
- A flexible and open-minded approach to work
Program Curriculum
Course content
You'll study 180 credits in total. The course consists of:
- Four 20-credit core modules
- Two 20-credit option modules
- A 60-credit independent policy report
Taught modules will run throughout Semester 1 and Semester 2, with the policy report being completed during the Semester 2.
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Advanced Policy Analysis Public Finance: Principles, Politics & Contemporary Issues delivered by the School for Business and Society Public Management and Delivery Leading and Managing Change (delivered by the School for Business and Society) Option modules You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Challenges to Policy-making in Democratising Countries Global Governance Introduction to Qualitative Methods & Data Analysis Introduction to Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis Politics of Migration Principles of Policy Advice New Security Challenges Governing for the Environment The Political Economy of Global China Critical Theories of International Political Economy Comparative Institutions and Public Policy Global Development Politics The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch . Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation During the second semester and vacation you will consolidate your interests in a policy report on a topic of your choice. You'll have regular meetings with your assigned policy report advisor, who will help guide you through the process and support you in the exploration of your chosen topic. Previous policy report titles include: What Thailand can learn from the experience of the UK's National Health Service Electronic Surveillance Policy in the United States: A Multiple Streams Analysis of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act The cutbacks on television entertainment programmes Policy in China: a view on the policy formulation Has stronger accountability improved educational achievement of students in K-12 public schools in the US? An evaluation of the impact of No Child Left Behind (2001) Rewiring Public Services In The City of York: A Critical Analysis A study of food policies for obesity prevention- Applicability of food-related tax to Korea Research on the housing co-operative scheme as an alternative for affordable housing: Lessons from the United Kingdom and Sweden How to reduce regional disparities in China: Lessons from European regional policies A comparative study of underground systems in London and Beijing: What lessons can China learn? Disappointment over the quality of England's graduate workforce: employers' fickleness or inherent cultural or systemic problem? Evaluation of the third sector policy in Japan Influence in a changing climate: INGOs and Network Governance in sub-Saharan Africa What is the appropriate role of the federal government in solving America's present educational crisis?
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. We are willing to consider applicants with lower qualifications, particularly if you have high marks in relevant modules and/or appropriate professional experience. Additional information may be requested. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 3,360/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £27,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,625 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £27,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,625 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-07-04
- Start Date 2018-09-01
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)