Master of Public Policy and Governance

What you will study

To earn the Master of Public Policy and Governance, you must successfully complete units totalling 96 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.

Depending on previous academic and professional experience, students may be eligible to complete the degree in one year, 1.7 years or two years of full-time study, or the part-time equivalent. Recognition of eligible prior learning may reduce the amount of coursework required.

The course structure below shows the full two-year stream. Students admitted to the one-year or 1.7-year streams complete a reduced study load based on their approved entry pathway and any recognised prior learning. 

Entry Requirements

Academic 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 for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

• Explain how public policy is formulated, implemented and evaluated using a range of theories and frameworks and use this knowledge to design effective campaigns and influence policy debates.
• Explain the core elements of responsibility, accountability, integrity and ethics in public governance, and identify strengths and weaknesses in current practice.
• Critically analyse different forms of evidence to support appropriate policy solutions for contemporary real-world challenges.
• Select, interpret and apply appropriate social science research methodologies to address key issues in public policy and governance.
• Communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills and be adaptive learners and practitioners.

Career Outcomes

You’ll graduate with the skills, experience and critical understanding to pursue careers in politics, public policy and governance, as well as public administration, policy research, advocacy and national and international decision-making. Graduates work within private and public sectors across government agencies, international organisations, consultancies and non-government organisations.

Potential careers

• 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.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $33,000  (Full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• The number of units studied.
• Choice of units.
• 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.