Master of Public Administration

In the last two decades, the public service landscape has changed dramatically, with the expansion of commissioning of services from the private and voluntary sectors, and the development of new models of regulation, governance, accountability and performance management. With change comes the demand for increased understanding of the new, complex, public service landscape from those who wish to work in this environment and researchers who wish to shed light on these trends.

This course is designed to provide you with the intellectual foundations for a career in leadership of public services, whether in the public sector or in private or voluntary sector organisations delivering public services, as well as access to the latest research. Career routes to leadership in these sectors require a combination of skills: understanding of the wider public service context, the economics of public services, governance, accountability and performance management, and skills in leadership, management and finance. Public service leaders must also have specialist knowledge of the services and policy areas in which they operate.

You will be taught by academics based in the Policy Evaluation Research Unit (PERU), an internationally recognised policy-research unit with particular expertise in models of public service delivery and policy making. PERU members have a 15-year track record of research in the UK and Europe and links with institutions in the US and South East Asia. They are actively involved in research programmes commissioned by public service organisations, including central government departments, and many members of the unit have worked in public services at a senior or non-executive board level.

These international contacts and this practical and research experience will directly influence what you are taught, with the content of the course drawing on global public administration and policy case studies. All this means that you will be learning at the cutting edge of the latest developments in public services and administration.

Features and benefits

• Study alongside work
  • designed to accommodate people who work and cannot relocate to Manchester, face-to-face teaching takes place in three or four short, intensive periods on campus combined with regular lectures and seminars online throughout the academic year.
• Taught by experts – a course designed and led by academics based in the Policy Evaluation Research Unit (PERU) - research-active scholars leading programmes of research and knowledge exchange in criminal justice, education, homelessness, and poverty and inequality. Meet our experts here.
• A rich programme of guest lectures
  • take advantage of a rich programme of guest lectures from industry contacts and build your own professional network.
• Real-world projects
  • opportunities to undertake projects in real-world settings through the connections PERU has with a number of public and voluntary sector organisations.
• A final project related to your career goals
  • in your final project, you will explore a public administration and/or policy issue that is relevant to your career goals and be supported to achieve real-world impact on policy and practice.

Reach your potential at Manchester Met - an ambitious university with a proud history

Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met) is a historic and internationally recognized institution that dates back to 1824. Known for the quality of its teaching, it is also ranked as one of the top 60 universities in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2023).

The University, which is located in the heart of Manchester city center, is home to a diverse community of more than 4,000 international students from over 100 countries. Manchester is an exciting and vibrant city, full of museums, galleries, theatres, and music venues. It has been ranked as the third-best student city in the country (QS Best Student Cities 2023) and one of the most affordable cities for students in the UK (UniFresher 2023).

The University is undergoing a £400m investment program to enhance its teaching and research facilities, buildings, and public spaces. There has been recent investment in their Grosvenor building, School of Digital Arts, Institute of Sport, and the Dalton building, a redevelopment of their Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Manchester Met is also committed to recognizing high-achieving international students and offers a comprehensive range of scholarships. View further information here .