In partnership with the Australian Financial Review
University of Canberra
Equips students with advanced skills in policy analysis, strategic decision-making and governance, preparing them to tackle complex public challenges and drive impactful policy reforms.
Public policy is where lasting change is made.
The University of Canberra’s online Master of Public Policy course will give you the practical skills required to put the public at the heart of public policy with capabilities in research, report writing, briefings, policy planning and stakeholder management. As you learn, you will develop, grow and apply multidisciplinary knowledge to complex and critical issues relevant to the needs of a changing and dynamic public sector in Australia.
Learn practical skills to deliver constructive policies, gain multidisciplinary policy knowledge, understand how to respond to contemporary challenges and harness the power of data to leverage policy, while learning in-demand skills in data analytics and studying online around your life and work.
The Master of Public Policy Online comprises 12 units. Each unit duration is seven weeks. The university advises a minimum of 15 to 20 hours of online study per week.
The Applied Policy Report can be substituted for one of the elective units.
To be eligible for the Master of Public Policy, applicants must have at least one of the following:
• An Australian Bachelor qualification or equivalent, in a related field
OR
• An Australian Bachelor qualification in an unrelated field AND three years' relevant work experience
OR
• An Australian Graduate Certificate (AQF 8) in any field (or higher)
English language requirements
You can demonstrate your proficiency in a number of ways, including through an approved English language test or recognised past study taught and assessed in English.
The Master of Public Policy Online requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 6.5, with no band score below 6.0.
Learning outcomes
Career outcomes
The Master of Public Policy is designed for professionals working or aiming to work in government, non-government, health, intelligence or social sectors and who want the critical skills to research, design, evaluate and create policy.
Your career options may include roles such as:
Total indicative course fee in 2027: $29,900 (domestic full-fee-paying place)
Indicative price per unit in 2027: $3,737.50
The Graduate Diploma in Public Policy comprises 24 credit points across eight compulsory units, each worth 3 credit points. The course is completed over 16 months of part-time study.
These calculations assume all units are charged at the published 2027 rate. Actual annual costs depend on the number of units completed, and tuition fees may increase in subsequent years.
You may also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Student fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm current fees.
FEE-HELP
Eligible domestic full-fee-paying students may be able to use FEE-HELP to defer payment of their tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists eligible students with tuition costs. Eligibility and loan limits apply.
Professor of Politics and Associate Dean
Mary Walsh is a Professor of Politics and Associate Dean at the University of Canberra, bringing 30+ years of teaching and research expertise. She has led key programs like the Bachelor of Politics and International Relations and the Master of Public Policy, earning national and international recognition for her contributions.
