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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
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
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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 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.
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Study and Modules
Structure
Our MA in Public Policy and Public Management follows a clear, engaging journey through the academic year. As a full-time student, you'll attend stimulating classes for two semesters, and work on a dissertation project.
The programme begins with core modules that establish a sophisticated understanding of key theories and frameworks. You'll explore fundamental concepts in public policy formation and analysis, examining how political, economic, and social factors interact to shape governance approaches. Alongside this, you'll develop critical insights into public management principles, from strategic leadership to organisational behaviour within public institutions.
What makes our course particularly distinctive is the opportunity to tailor your learning journey through our diverse range of optional modules. Depending on your interests and career aspirations, you might delve into electoral management systems, examine rural policy challenges, analyse the influence of policy elites, explore environmental governance, investigate digital media impacts on policymaking, or study foreign policy development. This flexibility allows you to build a personalised curriculum that aligns with your professional goals.
The dissertation represents the culmination of your Master's experience. This independent research project allows you to explore a topic you're passionate about in significant depth. You'll be matched with an academic supervisor whose expertise aligns with your research area, providing personalised guidance throughout the process. This capstone project offers an invaluable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world policy challenges, develop advanced research skills, and potentially contribute meaningful insights to your chosen field.
Throughout the programme, our teaching methods blend theoretical discussions with practical applications. Seminars encourage critical debate, workshops develop problem-solving capabilities, and guest speakers provide contemporary insights from the field. This balanced approach ensures you graduate with both intellectual depth and practical skills that employers value.
Whether your ambition lies in government, consultancy, NGOs or further research, our carefully structured programme provides the knowledge foundation, analytical tools and professional networks to support your success.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)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
At the heart of our programme is research-led teaching that places you at the cutting edge of public policy and management. Our academics are leading experts in their fields, bringing specialised knowledge in political philosophy, communications, media studies and global governance directly into the classroom.
We've designed a dynamic learning environment that blends theoretical depth with practical applications. Our distinctive interdisciplinary approach connects diverse perspectives, ensuring you develop a comprehensive understanding of complex policy challenges. You'll experience a thoughtful mix of teaching methods—from lectures that provide conceptual foundations to interactive seminars where ideas are vigorously debated and tested against real-world scenarios.
Small-group teaching forms a cornerstone of our approach, creating spaces for meaningful engagement with both academic staff and fellow students. Our diverse postgraduate community includes students from across the globe, enriching discussions with international perspectives and varied approaches to policy questions. This collaborative learning environment helps develop the communication and analytical skills essential for professional success.
Beyond scheduled teaching, you'll benefit from our vibrant intellectual community. Our programme of research seminars, visiting speaker events, panel debates and high-profile public lectures creates numerous opportunities to engage with leading practitioners and thinkers in the field. These events provide valuable networking opportunities while keeping you connected to current developments in policy and governance.
During your first two semesters, you'll balance structured teaching (25%) with independent learning (75%). This ratio reflects our commitment to developing self-directed researchers and practitioners who can confidently navigate complex information, formulate evidence-based arguments, and develop innovative solutions to policy challenges.
Assessment
Your progress will be evaluated through a thoughtful combination of assessment methods designed to develop your professional skills.
Throughout the academic year, you'll complete module assessments including analytical essays, policy briefings, project reports, and presentations. These varied formats mirror the diverse communication demands of policy careers. Group work develops your collaborative abilities, while independent projects build research capabilities.
Your dissertation forms a significant component of your final assessment, demonstrating your ability to conduct sustained independent research. All assessments are carefully designed to build practical professional competencies alongside academic understanding.
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
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):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component
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.
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- 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.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £11,200
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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.