The study programme in a nutshell

Climate change, terrorism, corruption, poverty and inequality: all these collective problems of our times have an international character. To deal effectively with these and similar problems, nation-states need to increase their capacities through regulatory and administrative reform. In addition, they need to learn from each other and collaborate in international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union.

The master programme International Public Management and Public Policy (IMP) is a one-year graduate programme that stimulates students to navigate the increasingly multinational and international nature of public management and public policy-making. It provides them with the scientific theories, concepts, and tools needed to analyse this international and multi-level environment. Furthermore, it equips them with knowledge and professional skills relevant to public careers with an international dimension.

Mode of education

Each core course is composed of a series of lectures, sometimes accompanied by smaller working groups. The lectures present the main theoretical and empirical insights about the topic of the course while providing ample opportunity for interactive discussions, group work and practical work with data. Our courses have a wide variety of assessment methods, including exams but also papers, (poster) presentations and other (group) assignments. The practical assignments aim to teach you how to analyse and apply theoretical insights in the real world. No navel-gazing, just real-world analysis!

The programme

The curriculum of the master programme in IMP consists of various components that equip you with the concepts, tools and theories that you need to analyse complex, multi-level international issues. The skills you learn will contribute to finding solutions for transnational challenges.

The programme contains 4 blocks and offers a varied set of modules, seminars, simulations, working group sessions as well as guest lectures. It includes an extensive professional development component. You will visit international and European institutions in Geneva and Brussels to familiarise yourself with their work. You will also receive training in basic negotiation skills during our negotiation simulation. This training is given by internationally renowned specialists. In addition, we organise meetings with a coach to help you prepare for your job search. You will train to use various skills, for instance, how to pitch yourself during networking, how to write a CV and how to improve your LinkedIn presence.

While COVID-19 posed a challenge to the established mode of education, we provide modern hybrid forms combining state-of-the-art remote and in-person education. In this way, we can continue offering excellent education while fully respecting the guidelines set by public health authorities and government agencies.

Please bear in mind that the following curriculum reflects the current academic year. Adjustments to the curriculum and descriptions of courses may be added in the year; a definitive curriculum will be presented here from June for the following academic year.

Curriculum

Block 1

• Comparative Public Policy
• European Union Policy-Making
• Global Governance
• Professional Development: Preparation Labour Market (block 1, 2, 3)

Block 2

• Europe in the World
• International Public Management
• International Organisations and Development

Block 3

• Final Research Project Proposal / Master's Thesis
• Research design and methods

Is this the right program for you?

This master programme (MSc) in Public Management and Public Policy:

• Has a multilevel focus, aiming at public management at the national, european, and global levels;
• Deals with public management and policy on the national, EU, and international levels;
• Includes a closely supervised individual research project;
• Puts the emphasis on professional development;
• Gives you the opportunity to interact with an international student group and academics with strong international reputations.

Opportunities after graduating

After completing this master's program you will be able to:

• Understand the increasingly international nature of public management and policy.
• Understand international developments from a multidisciplinary perspective.
• Analyze the international policy environment by applying up-to-date theories and concepts.
• Gain tools to operate effectively in an international working environment.

The master's program is an academic (scientific) program. This program is highly relevant for those who seek employment in the increasingly wide range of jobs that are associated with the internationalization of public management and policy. This includes jobs at both the international and the national level, such as:

• International organizations.
• The EU.
• Government ministries and agencies.
• Local authorities.
• International NGOs.
• Multinational companies.
• Consultancy firms.
• Think tanks.
• Research institutes.

International organizations offer many job opportunities for graduates of the master's program in International Public Management and Public Policy.

Graduates obtain a variety of jobs. They become policy officials, policy advisors, consultants, managers in international organizations, lobbyists, or project leaders.

Students who complete the Master’s program in International Public Management and Public Policy (IMP) are invited to join the IMP Alumni Association (IMPAA) and the IMP LinkedIn group.