Master of Public Policy and Governance

What you will study

Depending on your level of experience, the degree can be undertaken as a streamlined one-year full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent), 1.7-year full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent), or two-year full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent).

If you have relevant previous experience, you may be able to pursue a streamlined degree. If you come to the program with limited professional experience, you’ll complete the full two-year program.

Two-year stream

When taken as a standalone program, students must complete 96 units of credit (UOC). Unless otherwise stated, each course is valued at six UOC.

Entry Requirements

There are three different streams of the Master of Public Policy and Governance. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience and how closely it relates to public policy and governance.

For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:

For the one-year stream

• Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year of relevant professional experience.

For the 1.7-year stream

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year of relevant professional experience.
• Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

For the two-year stream

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.

* It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will be completed after completing an undergraduate degree.

Relevant disciplines for these programs include Social Sciences, Humanities, Business, Economics, Law, Public Health, Communications, Social Research and Policy and Social Work.

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Requirements

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses
• Prior study in the medium of English
• Other qualifications

Contact the university for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you will then be able to complete the coursework by undertaking fewer subjects.

Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate advanced disciplinary knowledge in the field of policy studies and an ability to apply this in a range of contexts and environments.
• Show an understanding of how new knowledge in the field of policy studies is produced and a deeper knowledge of how policy concepts are applied to analyse practice.
• Provide evidence of advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills and be adaptive learners and practitioners.
• Demonstrate awareness of international dimensions of policy work and policy issues.

Career Outcomes

You’ll graduate with the skills, experience and depth of critical understanding to work in diverse areas of policy and governance, nationally and internationally, in policymaking, public administration, research and advocacy in the private and public sectors.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year fee in 2025: $31,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative full fee in 2025: $64,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than one Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit per year).

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of courses studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of courses.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.