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Overview
Are you a professional looking to step up into public sector leadership and management? A Master's degree in Public Administration can give you the knowledge, skills and experience you need to advance your career and take on ambitious roles in areas such as national policymaking and ministerial advice.
You can study this MPA Public Administration degree course full-time or part-time alongside work via distance learning, so you can fit your studies around your work schedule and apply your learning to your role in real time.
You'll cover public policy, service delivery and administration from an inter-cultural, inter-professional and inter-organisational perspective. You'll unpack specialist subjects, such as procurement, project management and corporate governance. You'll also learn transferable skills that will be valuable throughout your career.
We'll provide public sector expertise, support and work-based strategies so you can become an expert in your field and take your skills and knowledge straight into your job. Once you graduate, you'll be able to explore new opportunities in public administration leadership and management, or to seek promotion in your current line of work.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Gain the specialist public sector knowledge and skills you need to advance in your career, including public policy, strategic management, leading change and new ways of working
- Compare policy processes and outputs within specific fields, including health, education, welfare, economic development, defence, policing and intelligence
- Complete a live strategic plan based on your own workplace that you can put into action in your existing or next role
- Learn from academics with frontline public sector experience and hear from industry expert guest lecturers, including Members of Parliament and local authority experts
- Have the opportunity to do a work-based placement with a local authority or public sector institution, such as Hampshire County Council or Portsmouth City Council
The course really helps me understand how my professional front line public service role is shaped by decisions made at the highest level. The lecturers and staff are always an email or phone call away to guide me through any difficulty.
Benefits of distance learning
- Work from anywhere, at your own pace, in your own time – with interactive online learning materials hosted on our virtual learning environment, Moodle, and available 24/7 on any device – find out how distance learning works
- Access to over 600,000 ebooks, 55,000 online journals, digital newspapers and a postal loan service from our University Library – see all library support for distance learners
- Invitations to online forums where you can discuss your studies with other students and your lecturers
- Access to all student support services via email, phone, online chat or video call
MPA Public Administration
Our Master's courses in Public Administration are specifically designed to prepare you for public sector management. Hear our lecturers and current students explain the benefits of studying your MPA with us.
Dr Sue Roberts: It's exciting, it's current, and it's happening now and it changes everybody's lives.
The Master's in Public Administration is a Master's level degree related to administering and managing government. The distance learning version of the course offers students flexibility. If you're in the middle of a session and suddenly you've been called away, you can come back to it later.
If you really want to work ultra hard on your Master’s, do the degree apprenticeship. At the end of your degree, you do a 4000 word project and you can put CMI after your name.
Katy: The Master's in Public Administration has four modules, so it started off with a module which is all about public management.
The second module in the first year was then around strategic management, and in the second year we started off with a module around public policy, and then the fourth module was outcomes-based leaderships. It was just really, really interesting because it combined lots of learning from a historical perspective, but then also lots of practical skills for your workplace as well.
Dr Sue Roberts: Career opportunities for our graduates have been so widespread. We've had students going on to lead clerking facilities at the House of Lords. We've had people move on to management and leadership positions in policing.
Dr David Alemna: Currently, I work part time as a teacher. I'm a lecturer in Politics and International Relations, and I also work part time for a management consultancy in London. The module was taught with a student-centred approach and I learnt a lot from my tutors in terms of how they spoke to us, how they supported us, and I also apply that in my teaching as well.
Dr Sue Roberts: I love the fact that people can come back to me and say, now I know what you were talking about. Now I know how to apply this, and it's made a big difference. The MPA offers amazing placement opportunities, including placements at local level and national level.
Dr David Alemna: I was fortunate to do my work at Hampshire County Council. That gave me good experience. It also ticked the box on my CV and that was able to get me jobs afterwards as well. Why did I choose Portsmouth? It has a lovely seaside, a nice environment to walk around.
Katy: The University of Portsmouth is a great place to choose. It was a distance learning course, so there were students not only from the south east of this country, but actually from around the world. It kind of broadened my learning, but equally, the course tutors were really knowledgeable in terms of their experience. It was just really, really good quality tuition and support.
Dr Sue Roberts: If you take a breath, if you walk on a pavement, if you use night services like street lighting, like roads, within a city, all of that is about government decisions and policy. So every aspect of your life, my life and everybody else's is governed by what we do on the Public Administration course.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2025 start
Qualifications or experience
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. Preferably, applicants will have experience of working in a managerial role in a public sector organisation.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, view the equivalent entry requirements we accept for your country.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
- Applicants may be invited to attend an interview.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2025 start)
- Full-time: £9,400 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time: £4,700 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time: £9,400 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time: £4,700 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
These figures both include the Transition Scholarship for EU students.
- Full-time: £9,400 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time: £4,700 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees terms and conditions
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students and our international student scholarships.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Financial support for disabled postgraduate students
Explore financial support for students who have disabilities or dependents during their studies.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which relate to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Full-time
Core modules
You’ll apply policy and administrative theory to a range of case studies from the UK, EU States and beyond, comparing across a range of empirical cases, to explore and explain the influences and constraints acting on political decision-makers.
You’ll have the chance to share knowledge and experience from your own administrative and national systems with your fellow students to inform the case studies.
You'll examine approaches to leading and managing in a sector which has transformed over the last two decades.
You'll research and explore traditional models of administration against those used now in a management orientated public sector that works in partnership with others on a continuous basis, for example via practical engagement with the private sector, commissioning and procurement with partners, managing people in new, networked models and transforming a sector constantly challenged by resource issues.
You'll gain professional skills in leadership and management, innovation and creativity, political awareness and partnership working, governance and probity.
You'll approach issues such as economic challenges, pandemic preparedness, youth violence and crime, policing, health integration and conflict in policy.
Engage with policy issues and their multiple outcomes that cause challenges at local and national levels.
You'll also explore modern issues affecting policy design and development, professional practice and partnership, working in all aspects of governance and bringing innovation and creativity to solving new and complex problems in public services delivery.
You'll examine macro, meso and micro environments to create a vision and mission statement, plus strategic outcomes and a wider strategic plan. You'll identify appropriate business skills like planning and the planning/resource relationship.
Specifically, you'll evaluate environments using analytical tools and assess strategic models via creative, entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.
You'll also explore how to communicate and manage change effectively and evaluate structural and cultural influences on change processes in professional settings.
Optional modules
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own topic within a public administration that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your report.
For the first half of the module, you’ll cover a wide range of project management tools and techniques for managing different aspects of a project (for example time, cost, quality and risk).
The emphasis is on the ability to critically appraise and justify their use.
For the second half of the unit, you’ll take an in-depth look at the project management processes within the project life-cycle.
You’ll focus on the relationships between the key participants within the different project phases, using case studies drawn from real life.
Part-time
Core modules
You'll examine approaches to leading and managing in a sector which has transformed over the last two decades.
You'll research and explore traditional models of administration against those used now in a management orientated public sector that works in partnership with others on a continuous basis, for example via practical engagement with the private sector, commissioning and procurement with partners, managing people in new, networked models and transforming a sector constantly challenged by resource issues.
You'll gain professional skills in leadership and management, innovation and creativity, political awareness and partnership working, governance and probity.
You'll examine macro, meso and micro environments to create a vision and mission statement, plus strategic outcomes and a wider strategic plan. You'll identify appropriate business skills like planning and the planning/resource relationship.
Specifically, you'll evaluate environments using analytical tools and assess strategic models via creative, entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.
You'll also explore how to communicate and manage change effectively and evaluate structural and cultural influences on change processes in professional settings.
Core modules
You’ll apply policy and administrative theory to a range of case studies from the UK, EU States and beyond, comparing across a range of empirical cases, to explore and explain the influences and constraints acting on political decision-makers.
You’ll have the chance to share knowledge and experience from your own administrative and national systems with your fellow students to inform the case studies.
You'll approach issues such as economic challenges, pandemic preparedness, youth violence and crime, policing, health integration and conflict in policy.
Engage with policy issues and their multiple outcomes that cause challenges at local and national levels.
You'll also explore modern issues affecting policy design and development, professional practice and partnership, working in all aspects of governance and bringing innovation and creativity to solving new and complex problems in public services delivery.
Optional modules
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own topic within a public administration that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your report.
For the first half of the module, you’ll cover a wide range of project management tools and techniques for managing different aspects of a project (for example time, cost, quality and risk).
The emphasis is on the ability to critically appraise and justify their use.
For the second half of the unit, you’ll take an in-depth look at the project management processes within the project life-cycle.
You’ll focus on the relationships between the key participants within the different project phases, using case studies drawn from real life.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time study)
- 2 years (part-time study)
You can expect:
- 1 optional live online seminar each week for each module you study, held at times when as many students as possible can attend. These will also be recorded for later viewing. All core material is available online at all times so you can create your own study schedule around work or other commitments.
- 20 to 25 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 12 to 14 hours each week if you study part-time.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- student presentations
This Master's in Public Administration is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment.
You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research.
You'll need access to a computer and a web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- work-related assignments
- essays
- online presentations
- reports
- dissertation or report
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. This includes group discussions, peer review activities, and virtual seminars.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Dr Sue Roberts
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Career development
Careers this Master's prepares you for
This Master's in Public Administration is designed to turn ambitious public sector workers into managers and leaders within their field of public administration.
You'll gain the specialist skills, expertise and insight to pursue higher level public sector roles, as well as lifelong transferable skills that you'll be able to apply to complex issues, both systematically and creatively, throughout your career.
When you graduate, you'll be ready to seek new roles in public sector leadership and management, or to aim for promotion in your current public sector career. You'll be able to work with self-direction and originality, and contribute to public administration in local, regional or central government, or in an organisation working in partnership with the Government.
Graduates of this course have gone on to work in areas such as:
- ministerial advice
- central government policy units
- government partner organisations
- charitable foundations
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for organisations such as the:
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation (OECD)
- European Union (EU)
- Local Government Association (LGA)
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. Current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth and international students also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.