University College London (UCL)

Public Management and Leadership MPA

Teaching and learning

Subject-Specific Knowledge:

Lectures and seminars, grounding in empirical, normative dimensions of public administration.

Intellectual, Academic and Research Skills:

Confronting theories in public administration, public policy, economics, and political science. Assessing premises and empirical validity of hypotheses.

Practical and Transferable Skills:

Presentations, simulations, discussions, writing project reports, essays, and your final master project.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including project reports, class presentations, ‘unseen’ examinations, essays and a final MPA project.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Example of time spent if a Full-time Student versus a Part-time Student

• Full-time: Students study for 40 hours per week. Additionally, students retaking a year will be deemed Full-time when retaking more than half of the activities of the year.
• Part-time: Students study at a structured rate per week, normally half the rate of Full-time study. Additionally, students retaking a year will be deemed Part-time when retaking half or less of the activity of the year.

Modules

Full-time

In term 1, you will study two compulsory modules covering core public management issues: Governance and Public Management, and Data Analysis for Policy. Both modules are designed to equip you with the requisite foundational academic knowledge for public sector management careers. In addition, we recommend you choose one elective module offered in term 1 in accordance with your career aspirations.

In term 2, you will undertake a third compulsory module, Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, which will allow you to discover how to lead organisations to achieve societal impact.

In terms 1 and/or 2, you will additionally choose two modules from several options to personalise the programme to your specific interests, which typically include: Policy Implementation, Public Finance and Budgeting, Strategy and Organisational Change, and Policy Advice. In addition, you can choose one more elective module from all subjects offered by UCL, conditional on it being of relevance to your degree. You will also start preparing your final MPA project in term 2.

In term 3, you will fully develop your final MPA project, which can be a dissertation, a case study, or a literature review. The final project will give you the opportunity to apply some of the concepts and skills developed through the programme under academic supervision. Many students benefit from the final MPA project to develop or deepen expertise in a topic of particular relevance for their future careers.

Part-time

The programme structure for part-time students follows the same structure as our full-time students. We do encourage our part-time students to distribute their workload evenly between the two years of study.

Many part-time students opt for one of the following patterns:

• 75 credits in Year 1 and 105 credits in Year 2; or
• 90 credits in Year 1 and 90 credits in Year 2.

Upon completion, you will have undertaken modules to the value of 180 credits, comprising three compulsory modules (Governance and Public Management, Data Analysis for Policy, Leadership and Organisational Behaviour) and a final MPA project. You will have further attended elective module(s) to personalise your programme of study to your own academic or professional interests.

Compulsory modules

• Data Analysis for Public Policy
• Governance and Public Management
• Dissertation
• Leadership and Organisational Behaviour

Optional modules

• Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Management and Policy
• Policy Implementation
• Law and Regulation I
• Public Finance Budgeting

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MPA in Public Management and Leadership.

What this course will give you

The programme targets current and future leaders, who require leadership and management skills and theories to succeed, but need to adapt to and consider the specificities of the public, private, and non-profit sectors in their roles.

This MPA will deliver the essential knowledge and skills managers require to deliver results and innovate in an ever more complex and constantly evolving multi-stakeholder and multi-level governance environment.

Testament to the MPA programme’s strengths, MPA graduates have excellent placement records – including senior roles in civil services around the world, leading NGOs, international organisations (such as the World Bank and OECD) and top private sector consultancies.

The foundation of your career

Upon completing the Master's in Public Management and Leadership programme, our alumni have embarked on diverse and impactful career paths closely aligned with the realm of public services.

The programme equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and networks to excel in a wide range of sectors, making them highly sought-after professionals in their fields. Our MPA graduates have found their footing in a multitude of organisations, ranging from internationally renowned institutions to local government bodies, as well as esteemed private consulting firms, NGOs, and prominent think tanks. Their career destinations encompass a broad spectrum of fields and sectors, reflecting the programme's adaptability and the calibre of our alumni (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017–2022).

• International Organisations: Many of our alumni have chosen to make their mark on the global stage, serving in leading international organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, and the United Nations. These roles allow them to influence international policies and address pressing global challenges.
• National and Local Governments: A substantial proportion of our graduates have taken up senior positions in government departments and agencies, contributing their expertise to the development and execution of public policies at the national and local levels. Their work is instrumental in shaping the future of public administration.
• Private Sector Organisations: Some graduates join the private sector, taking on roles in consultancy organisations (such as PricewaterhouseCoopers) or multinational firms (e.g. Meta, Virgin).
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): Many of our alumni have chosen to work with NGOs, dedicating themselves to social causes and advocating for change. Organisations like the Red Cross benefit from the passion and expertise of our graduates in addressing humanitarian issues.
• Entrepreneurship: In some cases, our alumni have established their own organisations, start-ups, or social enterprises to address specific public service challenges in innovative and impactful ways.
• Academic Pursuits: Several of our former students have pursued research careers, joined think tanks (such as Nesta) or pursued PhDs.

The MPA programme has consistently produced graduates who excel in their respective fields, making meaningful contributions to public services and governance worldwide. Our alumni's diverse career destinations serve as a testament to the programme's capacity to empower individuals to shape the future of public administration and contribute positively to society.

Employability

Upon completion of the MPA, you will be able to develop your career further within public, private, or non-profit leading organisations. You will be equipped with the knowledge and the capabilities to take positions of responsibility, administering, and implementing different aspects of public policies.

The MPA will enable you to develop key management skills in administering and implementing public policies. You will acquire critical abilities to analyse public policies; you will also develop your leadership capacity and gain an understanding of how different institutional arrangements can be used to deliver public services. Moreover, be exposed to cases to advance your strategic decision-making skills.

Networking

Our Master's in Public Administration programme provides abundant networking opportunities, fostering connections with key players in the field of public administration.

Join our 'Policy & Practice' seminar series, where you will gain insights from scholarly research and hear from high-profile policy makers, practitioners, and academics. These public events take place every Thursday evening during Terms 1 and 2 of the academic year, offering a platform for dialogue and collaboration.

We regularly invite policymakers and public managers to share their views and experiences, providing you with direct access to those at the forefront of public administration and allowing you to engage in discussions that shape policy and practice.

Additionally, the UCL Policy Lab organises regular events with academics and policymakers, tackling urgent societal issues, further enhancing your networking opportunities and exposure to real-world challenges.

Students will have the chance to collaborate with other UCL students throughout their studies, interacting with a diverse community of aspiring professionals, fostering valuable connections beyond the classroom.