Policymaking plays a key role in the management and change of the economy and society. Policy is part of every field of practice, which has led to a rapid growth in the need for policy professionals in government, business, and social and political organisations.

The Master of Public Policy and Governance (MPPG) applies a social science perspective to questions of policy and management in modern organisations. You will acquire a solid grounding in policy analysis, policy evaluation and social research, the necessary skills and knowledge domains required for effective engagement within the policy process. You will be able to specialise in an area of direct relevance to your own interests, which may include Social Policy, International Development Policy or Policy Management.

The program will prepare you for professional practice, by fostering analytical skills and a practical appreciation of the processes of policymaking, the significance of research and evidence in driving policy change and the role of stakeholders in effective policy implementation. The Master of Public Policy and Governance places emphasis on developing the skills and perspectives needed for proficient assessment, evaluation and sensitivity to the effectiveness of policy programs in terms of the impact they have on clients, customers and the public.

Unique to the UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance is the significant policy and research experience of the program’s teaching staff. At UNSW, the staff involved in the MPPG have had direct experience either as policy makers or policy researchers in government, non-government organisations and, the business sectors. Combined, they have over 20 years direct experience working at high levels inside government, from providing policy support to the Council of Australian Governments through to conceptualising, designing and implementing large scale policy across the states. Staff are also actively involved with non-government organisations in providing effectively policy research and evidence to support their advocacy and lobbying activities. These teaching staff bring their real life experience to the classroom, revealing the relationship between theory, research and everyday practice.

The Master of Public Policy and Governance aims to prepare you for work which requires analytical skills and a practical appreciation of the processes of policy-making and implementation. The program is oriented to the practice of policy, and prospective students are required to have relevant work experience. This may be in the public sector, unions, business or community organisations.

The program has three different streams depending on your existing qualifications: the 1 year stream (A) requires completion of 48 units of credit over 1 year of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); the 1.5 year stream (B) requires completion of 72 units of credit over 1.5 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent); and the 2 year stream (C) requires completion of 96 units of credit over 2 years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent). Please see below for more information on entry requirements.

1. Advanced disciplinary knowledge and practices

Graduates will gain advanced disciplinary knowledge in the field of policy studies and an ability to apply this in a range of contexts and environments.

2. Enquiry-based learning

Graduates will understand how new knowledge in the field of policy studies is produced and a deeper knowledge of how policy concepts are applied to analyse practice.

3. Cognitive skills and critical thinking

Graduates will develop advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills.

4. Communication, adaptive and interactional skills

Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills and be adaptive learners and practitioners.

5. Global outlook

Graduates will gain an awareness of international dimensions of policy work and policy issues.

Recent graduates have been employed in a diverse range of sectors, nationally and internationally, as policy makers, policy researchers and policy advocates.

Recent graduates have gained employment in the Department of Climate Change; Department of Premier and Cabinet; Alzheimer’s Australia; Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia, Canada; Queensland Department of Mines and Energy; British Virgin Islands Cabinet Office in government, non-government organisations, the business sector and private enterprise.

The entry requirements are as follows:

Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications.

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.

* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. UNSW Arts and Social Sciences will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50% of the stream, that is, up to 24 UOC credit transfer for the 1 year stream, 36 UOC credit transfer for the 1.5 year stream, and 48 UOC credit transfer for the 2 year stream.

You are eligible for the award of a degree "with Excellence" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 80 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.

These courses, ARTS5503 and ARTS5505, can be taken as additional courses but will not count towards your program.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.