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Master of Public Administration (MPA)

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    This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
    This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
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    Overview

    Looking to make a meaningful impact in public service?

    Our Master of Public Administration (MPA) will prepare you for responsible management roles within the public and non-profit sectors.

    The course will equip you with the analytical skills, policy-making expertise, and leadership capabilities needed to thrive in today’s complex public service environment.

    Whether you’re aiming to advance in your current role, transition to a new career in public administration, or deepen your impact on society, our MPA can open doors to new opportunities and help you achieve your professional goals.

    Our MPA provides a well-rounded perspective on public administration, drawing from an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes finance, leadership, technology, economics, people management, and public policy. You’ll gain a critical understanding of public service management and the tools required to navigate leadership roles effectively in a public sector context.

    Key areas of focus include

    • Professional development for responsible leadership in public service
    • Leadership and people management within public and non-profit organisations
    • Policy-making in a changing environmental and societal context
    • Strategic development and innovation in public service

    You’ll get exposure to real-world case studies and the chance to engage with expert guest speakers. These experiences will prepare you for senior roles in public administration, enabling you to make a positive impact in the communities you serve.

    Key Information

    Entry requirements

    Entry requirements for this course are normally:

    • An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in any subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
    • At least two years' relevant work or managerial experience.

    If you have significant management experience you may be admitted to the course without a degree or degree equivalent qualifications if you can demonstrate your potential to meet the learning requirements of the course.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Start dates

    21 September 2026

    Duration

    2 years part-time

    Course Detail

    Responsible Leadership and Systemic Risk Management in the Public Sector

    Good leadership is one of the most important factors for ensuring organisational effectiveness and efficiency. In the public sector, there is heightened scrutiny on leadership, at both national and local level: with accountability, governance, value for money, and trust as key issues both within and external to the sector. Public sector leaders need to be sentient of current and emerging policy, political and financial management issues, within a wider landscape, valuing sustainability and responsibility. This melting pot means that public leadership decisions are complicated and require choices to be made that manage both the issue, the range of stakeholder requirements, and work towards principles of New Public Management / Leadership. In this module, learners explore four key themes: the governance challenge, financial awareness, responsible leadership and systemic risk investigation and management in order to understand how as public sector leaders, they can identify, manage or mitigate risks for their organisation and drive efficiency and effectiveness of resource utilization and policy implementation.

    Ageing Societies

    Global demographics are continually changing and are now seeing an increasingly ageing population in many (but not all) countries. Put this together with changes to pension ages and age discrimination legislation and it means that in the future you will be working with many more older colleagues than has been the case to date. In this module, you will evaluate both the challenges and opportunities for business and management that come with increasingly ageing societies in the 21st Century. They will include ageing-related issues at the individual, organisational and societal levels, for example: creating novel and more flexible pension arrangements; innovative marketing to target older consumers; managing more flexible working patterns towards retirement; enabling more inclusive work environments by supporting workers with age-related health issues; and opportunities for career development in older life including starting a business. You will explore ways in which organisations and those working in them can adjust to changing needs in response to a shifting age demographic in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

    Managing Big Data

    With many industries generating huge volumes of data almost continuously the challenge for these industries is understanding how this data can be utilised for developing organisational value. This module introduces the field of Big Data, sources, management and visualisaiton. The module will evaluate and consider a range of features in the area, and provide opportunity to work with multiple online and offline data sets, investigate ethical issues around the data and explore different data collection strategies. Experience in these areas gives a holistic overview of organisational challenges and an informed perspective in decision making through the utilisation of big data.

    People Matter

    In contemporary workplaces and society at large, people matter. Organisations want to be successful in their chosen field and sector but today, more than ever emphasis is placed on how they gain this success. This module will therefore consider how sustainable success is delivered through strategic and responsible management of people. The module will explore a wide range of organisations and consider how responsible people practices encourage commitment and improve performance in the challenging environment which organisations exist.

    Professional and Personal Excellence (PROPEL 1)

    This module is focused on enabling you to maximise your professional and personal development, and develop the skills necessary to become continuous learners. To that end, knowledge and ability will be developed in the areas of learning styles and preferences, and research methods. The module provides an opportunity to develop insights into professional and personal preferences, and to reflect on professional development, past, present and future. You will be encouraged to undertake personal change to modify existing work behaviours and acquire new skills.

    MPA Project

    This module gives the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and understanding gained throughout the programme. It provides opportunity to bring individual and personalised projects to analyse, using quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods, and propose appropriate public administration responses. Students are expected to engage in the process of scoping the project, undertaking the necessary information gathering, taking a responsible leadership role in analysing the information and making recommendations on the basis of their findings. The nature of the task will vary according to the nature of the issue that is needed to be investigated; it may be strategic or operational.

    Strategic Communication

    Strategic communication has become a key variable in the successful implementation of public policies and also in the leadership of all kind of public sector organisations. The success of any public sector entity is often linked both to its communication capacity and to the strength of its policy base and management skills. Democracy is based on the premise of an informed public, so it could be possible to state that public administrators or administrations face a civic duty to provide reliable information to their public, i.e., citizens. Understanding strategic communication in this sector, its implications and limitations, has become an essential aspect of successful careers in public administration. In order to increase public support of new programmes or the usage of public services and products, and also in showing responsiveness to citizens and building trust around public policy decisions, the strategic importance of communication to contemporary public sector organisations is emphasized in this module.

    Strategic Management and Innovation

    This module aims to explore the nature of strategic management and innovation practice within a range of organisations and across business networks. This includes understanding and exploring strategic formulation and responsible leadership practices in the 3rd Sector (Voluntary and social Enterprises) as well as other public sector bodies. Whilst considering the importance of well-established strategic planning concepts in the so called linear-rational process model, the module will also focus on contemporary concepts such as digitisation, servitisation, digital ecosystems, platforms, business model innovation and disruption - synonymous with more fast moving and complex environments. Hence, the module involves developing a critical understanding of core models of strategy and innovation. The learning programme will deploy a range of cases, simulations and thinking tasks to explore strategic decision making in contemporary organisations.

    Professional and Personal Excellence (PROPEL 2)

    This module follows on from PROPEL 1 and is similarly focused on enabling learners’ to maximise their professional and personal development, and develop the skills necessary to become continuous learners. Within this module, the focus is on developing knowledge and ability in the areas of self-awareness, planning and undertaking personal and professional development, and improving interpersonal relationships.

    Further information

    Here at Huddersfield 100% of permanent teaching staff* have professional recognition as Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Fellowships are only awarded to academics who can demonstrate their knowledge and ability to teach to a high standard.

    We have links with a number of professional bodies that can help your professional development and offer additional insights to your industry and profession. Huddersfield Business School is an official HE Partner of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). You'll have access to a number of guest lectures and networking events throughout your studies.

    *Permanent staff, after probation: some recently appointed colleagues will only obtain recognition in the months after their arrival in Huddersfield, once they have started teaching; research degrees applies to those on contracts of more than half-time.

    We use a range of teaching methods with a significant emphasis on group discussion. You are expected to share your experiences. Lectures will provide the formal input to the modules. These will be supplemented by guided reading and case study analyses. We also use workshop, tutorial and seminar activities.

    There are a variety of assessment methods, including individual and group reports, essays, learning logs, time constrained assessment activities and the dissertation.

    The postgraduate dissertation proposal module is delivered through the entire programme, enabling you to get an understanding of the importance of research for business while you develop a research question which will inform your dissertation. You will undertake your postgraduate dissertation during the summer term, once all of the taught elements of the module have been completed.

    The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available.

    Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

    Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students.

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    2. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    3. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    Discover more about the course

    Professional links and accreditation

    Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate.

    Careers advice

    Check out the personalised guidance we offer you.

    Student Support

    Discover all the support available so you can thrive.

    Further Study

    Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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