)
Politics and International Relations at UEA
Find out more about studying Politics and International Relations at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMA Public Policy and Public Management (Part Time)
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
Scroll For More
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
How do governments respond to climate emergencies? Who shapes migration policies? What drives the decisions that impact our daily lives? In today's rapidly evolving global landscape, understanding these complex processes is more crucial than ever.
Our part-time MA in Public Policy and Public Management equips you with both theoretical insights and practical tools to address these challenges. You'll analyse how policies addressing housing crises, healthcare reform, and environmental regulation move from ideas to implementation. Through case studies of successful and failed initiatives, you'll uncover the forces that shape public decision-making and develop strategies to navigate complex governance systems.
This programme welcomes students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Whether you've studied politics, economics, sociology, law, humanities, or have professional experience in the public or private sectors, our curriculum provides accessible entry points while offering depth for those with prior knowledge. The multidisciplinary approach allows you to connect your existing expertise to new frameworks while developing specialised knowledge through optional modules in areas such as environmental policy, international governance, or digital transformation in the public sector.
The dissertation represents a great opportunity to conduct independent research under expert academic supervision, applying theoretical frameworks to real-world policy challenges. Beyond the classroom, we offer enriching experiences including internships, placements, and our popular speaker series featuring leading academics, policymakers and politicians discussing contemporary political issues.
You'll develop essential transferable skills including critical thinking, analytical reasoning, presentation abilities, teamwork, and independent research capabilities. These competencies prepare you for diverse career paths in government, the Civil Service, NGOs, international organisations, media, and further academic study.
Join a vibrant community where theory meets practice, preparing you to navigate and influence the complex world of public policy both in the UK and internationally.
)
Study and Modules
Structure
Our part-time MA in Public Policy and Public Management offers a flexible pathway for professionals balancing work with academic advancement. In your first year, you'll build strong foundations through core modules exploring essential theories of public management and policy analysis. These develop your understanding of governance frameworks, decision-making processes, and implementation strategies across different contexts.
You'll begin personalising your learning journey by selecting from our diverse range of optional modules—from electoral management systems to migration governance, rural policy challenges to digital transformation in public services. Our interactive teaching methods encourage you to connect theoretical concepts with real-world applications, while small group seminars provide opportunities to debate ideas with fellow professionals from varied backgrounds.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Our part-time programme delivers the same research-led excellence as our full-time variant, with scheduling designed to accommodate professional commitments. You'll learn from leading experts in public policy, management, political philosophy, and communications who bring cutting-edge research directly into the classroom.
Our distinctive approach blends lectures providing conceptual frameworks with interactive seminars creating spaces for vibrant debate and analysis of real-world policy challenges. This learning environment is enriched by our diverse cohort of international and domestic students, bringing varied perspectives to complex governance questions.
Beyond scheduled sessions, you'll engage with our intellectual community through research seminars, visiting speaker events, and policy debates. Your time balances structured teaching (25%) with independent learning (75%), developing the self-directed research skills essential for policy professionals.
Assessment
Throughout your first year, you'll experience a diverse range of assessment methods reflecting the multifaceted communication demands of policy careers. These include analytical essays examining theoretical concepts, policy briefings addressing contemporary challenges, group projects developing collaborative skills, and presentations honing your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
Structure
Your second year deepens your specialisation through additional optional modules aligned with your professional interests and career aspirations. The culmination of your MA journey is the dissertation project, conducted with support from an academic supervisor whose expertise matches your research area. This independent research allows you to investigate a compelling policy challenge, apply advanced analytical frameworks, and potentially contribute valuable insights to your field.
The part-time structure creates a dynamic relationship between your professional and academic development, allowing immediate application of new knowledge within your workplace. This integration of theory and practice prepares you for advancement across various policy-related careers while maintaining your professional commitments.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your second year deepens specialisation through modules aligned with your professional interests while providing dedicated dissertation support. You'll receive research methods training and regular one-to-one supervision from an academic whose expertise matches your research area.
This personalised mentoring helps develop a sophisticated research project that can directly inform your professional practice. The part-time structure creates a close relationship between academic learning and workplace application, allowing immediate implementation of new analytical approaches in your professional context.
Throughout both years, our commitment to blending theoretical rigour with practical application ensures you develop not just advanced knowledge, but the critical capabilities needed to navigate complex policy environments.
Assessment
Your second year continues the first year’s varied assessment approach, while introducing the significant capstone of your dissertation. This independent research project demonstrates your ability to investigate policy issues in depth, synthesise complex information, and develop evidence-based recommendations. All assessments are carefully designed to build professional competencies alongside academic understanding, with skills directly transferable to policy-related careers.
Employability
After the Course
Our MA equips you with versatile skills valued across multiple sectors. Whether you specialise in a specific policy area or develop broader expertise, you'll be prepared for diverse career paths.
Recent graduates have secured roles as policy analysts, consultants, business executives, subject specialists, lobbyists, advisers and civil servants in local and national government, media organisations, think tanks, and NGOs.
The analytical and research capabilities you'll develop also provide an excellent foundation for further academic study, with many graduates successfully pursuing PhDs and research positions. Our programme's emphasis on both theoretical understanding and practical application ensures you'll be well-positioned for professional advancement.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Policy analyst
- Lobbyist
- NGO staff
- Civil servant
- Researcher
- Consultant
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in all components
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner UEA International Study Centre. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
-
UK Students: £11,200
-
International Students: £23,850
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.