Master of Public Policy and Governance
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 3
- Duration
- 2 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 8259
- CRICOS code 083243E
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $31,000*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $63,500*
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $42,500*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $88,500*
Fees
Fees
-
Research project
-
Contemporary case studies
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Strong industry links
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree, that applies a social science perspective to real-world questions of policy, research and management in modern organisations. Through this master’s degree, you’ll prepare for roles that require research and analytical skills, and a practical appreciation of the processes of policymaking, policy analysis, and policy implementation.
This degree helps you to develop the skills and perspectives needed for the assessment, evaluation, and sensitivity of public policy. You’ll explore the impacts research, public policy and governance have on clients, customers and the public.
Key features
Research and real-world experience
The Master of Public Policy and Governance is grounded in real-world experience. As a student of this degree, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a research project or a minor dissertation on a topic of your choosing. We give you the flexibility to choose research topics that pique your interest.
Learn from the best
Our academics have extensive experience working on key policy issues and are research method experts, which give our graduates a competitive advantage. They are thought leaders in a range of diverse fields from welfare, to environmental policy, to refugee rights and more. Just like you, they’re passionate about a range of important and contemporary policy issues including refugees, animal welfare, gendered violence, environmental policy and much more.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
- Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
- Learn through research-informed teaching
- Prioritise career success - UNSW won the Australian Financial Review's Most Employable Students Award in 2024.
- Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
- Access world-class alumni connections
- Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024)
- Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
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.
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 would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 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 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 relevant professional experience.
For the 1.7 year stream
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year 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 2 year stream
- Bachelor 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 have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
Relevant disciplines for these programs include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Research and Policy; 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
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
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
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
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.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 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 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 relevant professional experience.
For the 1.7 year stream
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
- Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year 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 2 year stream
- Bachelor 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 have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
^Students from a non-211 university in China are now required to have a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW distinction average (75%).
Relevant disciplines for these programs include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Research and Policy; 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
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do 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
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
This program is structured to acknowledge and recognise the unique skills and experience you bring to your postgraduate education. It can be completed in two years full-time (or the part-time equivalent).
If you have relevant previous experience, you may be able to undertake a streamlined degree. If you’re coming to the program with limited professional experience, you’ll undertake the full two-years study.
Full program structure
Depending on your level of experience, the degree can either be undertaken as a streamlined one-year of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent), 1.7-years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent) or two-years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent).
Explore the structure of each stream below:
Public Policy & Governance A – 1 year stream
Public Policy & Governance B – 1.7 year stream
Public Policy & Governance C – 2 year stream
Future careers
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.
Potential careers
- Department of Climate Change
- Department of Premier and Cabinet
- Alzheimers 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.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. 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 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
“You will not only gain knowledge and skills to achieve a degree but also you will learn soft skills that will help you cope with the corporate environment.”
