Program Overview
The Master's (Master) in Public Administration at The University of Exeter is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered on-campus at The University of Exeter. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in business & management, 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 business & management.
Key Program Features
Why study MPA Master of Public Administration at Exeter?
- Develop essential leadership skills : Our Master of Public Administration (MPA) equips future public sector managers with advanced analytical and decision-making abilities to tackle complex, real-world challenges.
- Practical, research-informed learning : Tailored modules combine world-leading research with problem-centred teaching, preparing students for careers in public management and beyond.
- Join a global community : Our department welcomes students from China, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the USA, Turkey, and the UK, creating an international learning environment.
- Support for international students : Academic skills are embedded in core modules, with additional English language support available through our on-campus International Study Centre.
- Special pathway for professionals : For those on government training sabbaticals, the full-time MPA with Applied Study (21 months) offers an extended policy project with additional training and learning opportunities.
Career Opportunities
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.
Program Curriculum
Course content
You will study a range of modules specifically designed for the MPA. The modules will address key challenges in modern public management and policymaking. You will engage with big questions of how government should respond to public pressure, and improve your ability to understand and solve policy problems while at the same time getting into the details of policy issues. The degree is flexible enough to allow you to develop some of your specialised interests within its framework.
Small group teaching provides opportunities to work collaboratively with students from a variety of backgrounds to explore a range of challenges. 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 in academic debates about government.
The part-time route is suitable for UK students working in the public sector who want to develop skills relevant to their roles and earn a higher level qualification. It is also suitable if you wish to change career or if you are working to support your studies. In the first year of part-time study you will complete the core module in term 1 (‘Management and Governance’) and typically select one further module in term 2. In the second year you will complete two further modules and you can either complete your dissertation in the second or third year. There is some flexibility about this schedule.
Mid-career professionals with government sponsorship can take the extended MPA with Applied Studies which provides you with further opportunity to research and seek solutions to issues and challenges you face in the workplace. The MPA with Applied Studies is only available full-time.
The modules below 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.
Modules Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change. 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 MPA Master of Public Administration option modules 2025-6 POLM342M Public Accountability and Governance 30 POLM228M Leadership, Equality and Diversity 30 POLM237M Collaborative and Participatory Governance 30 POLM222M The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development 30 POLM887 Public Policy Process 30 POLM897 Surveys and Experiments: Design, Implementation and Analysis 15 SPAM002 Security, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies 30 SSIM912 Introduction to Social Network Analysis 15 POLM168 From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender 30 POLM173 Theories of International Development 30 POLM343 Gender, War and Militarism 30 POLM502 International Relations: Power and Institutions 30 POLM503 Foreign Policy Decision-Making 30 POLM651 State and Society in the Middle East 30 POLM140 Qualitative Methods in Social Research 30 POLM809 Applied Quantitative Data Analysis 15 POLM156 The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age 30 POLM158 Digital Politics and Policy 30 POLM803 Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity 30 POLM231 State Crime 30 POLM246 The Politics of the Future 30 SOCM021 Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption 30 SOCM054 Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption 15 SOCM045 Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment 30 SOCM044 Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment 15 SPAM007 Which Policies Work? Causal Methods for Policy Evaluation 15 POLM344 Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia 30 With Applied Study Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change. 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 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.. Code Module Credits MPA Master of Public Administration (Applied Study) option modules 2025-6 POLM222M The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development 30 POLM887 Public Policy Process 30 POLM237M Collaborative and Participatory Governance 30 POLM897 Surveys and Experiments: Design, Implementation and Analysis 15 SPAM002 Security, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies 30 SSIM912 Introduction to Social Network Analysis 15 POLM168 From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender 30 POLM173 Theories of International Development 30 POLM174 Tools, Policy and Practice of International Development 30 POLM343 Gender, War and Militarism 30 POLM502 International Relations: Power and Institutions 30 POLM503 Foreign Policy Decision-Making 30 POLM651 State and Society in the Middle East 30 POLM140 Qualitative Methods in Social Research 30 POLM809 Applied Quantitative Data Analysis 15 POLM228M Leadership, Equality and Diversity 30 POLM342M Public Accountability and Governance 30 POLM156 The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age 30 POLM158 Digital Politics and Policy 30 POLM803 Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity 30 POLM231 State Crime 30 POLM246 The Politics of the Future 30 SOCM021 Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption 30 SOCM054 Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption 15 SOCM045 Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment 30 SOCM044 Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment 15 SPAM007 Which Policies Work? Causal Methods for Policy Evaluation 15 POLM344 Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia 30 Stage 2 Compulsory modules 60 credits of compulsory MPA modules. Code Module Credits POLM014M MPA Applied Studies 60
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). We welcome students from any academic background.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications .
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 MPA with Applied Studies programme is designed for public officials who are sponsored by the organisation they work for (for example their department). If you do not have sponsorship from a public sector employer please apply to the one year MPA. Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications . Entry requirements for international students Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements .
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications . 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 IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1 . Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 16,500/year (international)
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time
With Applied Study
Prospective students enrolling in 2026/27 will pay £31,600 tuition fees in total. Year 1: £25,550, Year 2: £6,050 (9 months).
Scholarships
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year , including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships * . We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page .
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details. .
Find out more about tuition fees and funding »
About The University of Exeter
The University of Exeter
Botswana, Botswana
Visit the university profile page to learn more about this institution.
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-05-06
- Start Date 2018-09-19
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)