Public Administration Masters, MPA, at University of Exeter

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Public Administration Masters, MPA, University of Exeter

the United Kingdom

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
MPA	Full-time	1 year	September	find out	find out

About Public Administration Masters, MPA - at University of Exeter

The MPA offers the opportunity to develop the skills that managers need to address and respond to complex problems in the public sector and beyond. Our focus is on the challenges facing government but the analytical and decision-making skills you will develop will be valuable in other sectors.
We focus on practical and problem-centred teaching, informed by high quality research. The MPA offers a range of tailored modules which are designed to fit together in terms of content and teaching style.
The MPA is suitable for students who want to build a career in government or related fields but you will also develop generic analytical skills which are useful in other sectors. It is also suitable for students who already have experience in a managerial role in government or beyond. If you are more interested in an academic career (for example continuing to a PhD) then the MSc in Public Policy would be more suitable.
We welcome students from the UK and over the last decade we have also welcomed students from, among other places, the Republic of Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the US and Turkey.
Many of our students do not have experience in the UK university system and so support for academic skill development is integrated into the MPA degree's core module. There is also support for English language skills available through INTO. The teachers on the MPA modules are accustomed to working with students from various backgrounds.
The MPA degree is available full-time (1 year) or part-time (up to 3 years).
If you are currently in a government role with a training sabbatical you can also consider the MPA with Applied Study (21 months full-time). This entails taking the standard MPA for the first year (worth 180 credits) and then completing a further in-depth policy project and additional training and learning (worth 60 credits) over the following 9 months. This is only available full-time.

Learn more about Public Administration Masters, MPA - at University of Exeter

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Entry requirements

We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in a social science* subject. Experience of working in government, public policy, or a managerial role more broadly, is welcome but not necessary. Please explain your motivation for applying for the degree and any relevant experience in your personal statement. If you have extensive experience in a managerial role in government we may be able to be flexible about the academic requirements (subject and grade), but you will need at least the equivalent of a UK Bachelors with Honours.

*Accepted social science subjects include:

Anthropology
Archaeology
Area and Development Studies
Criminology
Demography
Development Studies
Economics
Economic and Social History
Education
Environmental Planning
Human Geography
International Relations
Law
Linguistics
Management and Business Studies
Media and Communication Studies
Philosophy
Politics and International Studies
Psychology
Science and Technology Studies
Social Policy
Social Statistics, Methods, and Computing
Social Work
Socio Legal Studies
Sociology

Please note, if we receive an application which we deem more suitable for one of our other programmes, such as the MSc Public Policy, we may make an offer for that alternative programme instead.

The MPA with Applied Studies programme is designed for public officials who are sponsored by the organisation they work for (for example their department). If you do not have sponsorship from a public sector employer please apply to the one year MPA.

Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Exeter

The University of Exeter invests heavily in scholarships to support top international students. These include the Exeter Excellence Scholarships, which are awarded to academically gifted and ambitious students from around the world, as well as country-specific scholarships for students applying from certain regions.

More information on the University’s international scholarships can be found here.

To search all available scholarships, please use the University’s funding database.

Student reviews of University of Exeter

Find out what students say about University of Exeter

Ernest, from Ghana, studying MSc Sustainable Business Management

“The student support provided by the University is exceptional and most importantly the campus in Penryn is beautiful and blessed with many green spaces. My decision to study here was further solidified when I was awarded the Green Futures scholarship. This scholarship has played a major role in supporting my academic journey, by offering me stability to focus on my studies in order to achieve my goals.

“Since arriving on campus, it has been nothing but an incredible experience. I have had the opportunity to interact and work in teams with students from diverse backgrounds with a variety of goals. Academic staff are always willing to lend a helping hand when needed and the career services have been invaluable, offering great advice on job applications.”

Erica, from the Philippines, studying LLM Law

“I am currently the Vice President of the Filipino Society and I am proud that I am able to represent my background and heritage at the University. Exeter offers numerous opportunities for us to share our culture, such as the popular Spring Festival celebrations and the ASEAN Spring Ball, which I believe is incredibly important. There is a strong sense of community at Exeter and it is something I truly appreciate while being here.

“In my first year I lived on campus and shared a flat with six people. I wasn't extremely keen on the nightlife scene so I was a bit worried about what my new flatmates would be like in terms of partying/drinking. Luckily though, my accommodation was a ‘quiet flat’ and a lot of us had similar personalities, which allowed me to settle in quickly and feel more at ease. My entire block only consisted of six flats and we were all really sociable and ended up being very close, and I am still friends with a lot of them now.”

Sandeep, from India, studying MSc Data Science

“I did struggle with a few assignments at first. Once, I got completely stuck and so reached out to Dr. Phill after a lecture. He was helpful and even sent me more tips via email afterward.

“One of the biggest things that surprised me here is how different the teaching style is compared to India. Back home, it’s mostly theoretical, with classes from morning till evening and exams twice a year. Here, it’s so much more flexible. Lectures aren’t every day, and they’re more like discussions or seminars. The assignments and quizzes are more frequent and keep you on your toes, which really helps with self-learning.

“For anyone planning to come here, my advice is simple: if you’re curious and have a mindset of learning every day, Exeter is a fantastic place. Every day here feels like an opportunity to grow and challenge yourself.”