Online Masters of Public Administration

There are multiple intakes a year. Students can join the program in January, February, June, August, and October.

Online Masters of Public Administration

The University of Birmingham’s Masters of Public Administration has been specifically designed to equip public-sector professionals with the tools necessary to help make a positive difference, help manage change, and evaluate impact within local governance and strategic public management. The online format offers an immersive learning experience that a student can apply their learnings in real-time in their current role. With advanced knowledge, you’ll be able to make positive changes as we look at life together through a global lens.

Delivered through the prestigious Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) – the United Kingdom’s leading center for the study of local public service management, policy, and governance – this program is perfectly positioned to encourage progressive ideas and innovative thinking without having to set foot on campus.

“This MPA course has helped me to identify gaps through process mapping, defining and resolving problems faster and more effectively. It has given me the scope to view local government through wider lenses and a future towards e-governments, greater public involvement, and co-production of services and delivery.” Ana Soochit, Online Master of Public Administration graduate, Trinidad

Short Courses in Public Administration

Not looking for a full master? Study the core practices, principles, and strategies of public services by joining a flexible 8-week course and receive an official University of Birmingham Postgraduate Microcredential certificate worth 10 Master’s credits.

Programme Outline

The University of Birmingham Masters of Public Administration (MPA) online program covers topics from leadership and governance to partnership strategy and public policy. This broad range of subject matter ensures the program is relevant to your day-to-day work. By the time you graduate, you’ll have mastered how public management and governance work so you can navigate managerial leadership and global governance and turn theoretical knowledge into real-world scenarios. Below is a sample of what you’ll study through reading, interactive live lectures, discussion forums, and group activities in an engaging, online format.

• Public management and governance in a changing world
• Leadership in public services
• Democracy, governance, and participation
• Managing in a political environment

Visit the program website for more information

Shape communities in public or private sectors

This online MPA provides the necessary practical, contemporary content to help you better serve your local communities and prepares you for work in various areas of practice and policy. You will develop the skills to advance your career to make a greater impact on people’s lives. This program will help you improve your relevance, be it for the public sector, government, or external agencies.

For individuals with the right level of education and global expertise, several diverse MPA careers are available, from policy management and town planning to corporate services and change management. Underpinned by the latest research, academic insights, and practice-based learning, social services managers and even members of parliament and more.

This program is available as PGCert and PGDip and can be offered as a micro-credential.

Key Facts

The University of Birmingham’s Online Masters of Public Administration has been specifically designed to equip public-sector professionals with the tools necessary to help make a positive difference, help manage change, and evaluate impact within local governance and strategic public management. The online format meets the needs of busy professionals who are balancing full-time careers and personal commitments alongside their studies.

There are multiple intakes a year. Students can join the program in January, February, June, August, and October.

Visit the program website for more information

Learning Pathways

If you’re unable to commit to the full MPA program, there are alternative qualification routes. You can exit with one of the following credentials:

• Postgraduate Certificate — 60 Credits, 1 Year
• Post-graduate Diploma — 120 Credits, 2 Years

Lasting just eight weeks, short courses in Public Administration allow you to specialize in a particular area of public service, completing with a micro-credential certificate worth 10 master’s credits.

This is your time – study a postgraduate degree 100% online

Become a leader in your field with a 100% online postgraduate degree from the University of Birmingham. One of the UK’s top academic institutions, our programs are career-centred, internationally focused, and expertly taught.

Recognized as a world 'top-100' institution (QS World University Rankings 2024) and a prestigious Russell Group member, the University of Birmingham has been challenging and developing leading minds for more than a century - a tradition that continues today, no matter where or how you study.

• Leading UK provider of distance learning and blended learning
• Ranked in the top 20 for biological and computer science in the UK
• Ranked 19th in the UK for business and management studies
• Top 10 Best Online MBA in Europe
• 3rd most targeted university of top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2023)
• 14th UK University (The Complete University Guide 2024)
• World top-100 university (QS World University Rankings 2023)

The University of Birmingham’s flexible online learning programs will connect you with international faculty and peers, so you gain access to leading scholarly research, crucial career skills, an informed global perspective, and professional links in both private and public sectors.

A leading provider of distance and blended learning within the UK, we use the latest digital learning techniques to ensure that you can study whenever and wherever it suits you.

The University of Birmingham has the strength and variety of programs to suit your individual needs and interests, backed by the academic expertise and influence, support, and facilities of a top 100 public research and teaching university. You’ll benefit from both academic and personal development to achieve success and ensure your degree is an asset in your future prospects.

• 1st AMBA-accredited online MBA and MSc business degrees
• Leading global university with alumni spanning 178 countries
• Nearly 80% of US employers and 70% of Canadian employers are highly receptive to UK degrees.

“Being an online student, I can confidently say that choosing the University of Birmingham for my studies has been one of the best decisions I have made. The University’s world-class reputation and rigorous curriculum have challenged and expanded my knowledge, preparing me to take on real-world business challenges with confidence.” Alexander Oketch, Online MBA, Kenya

We are pleased to offer the following 100% online postgraduate degrees:

• Online MBA
• Online MSc International Management
• Online Masters of Public Administration (short courses available)
• Online LLM in Energy and Environmental Law
• Online MSc Bioinformatics
• Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments (short courses available)

Challenge yourself to push forward the boundaries of knowledge and make an impact on people’s lives – discover more today.