MPAMaster of Public Administration

Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/politics/public-administration/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/

MPA Master of Public Administration

MPA Master of Public Administration

MPA Master of Public Administration with Applied Study

Why study MPA Master of Public Administration at Exeter?

• Develop essential leadership skills: Our Master of Public Administration (MPA) equips future public sector managers with advanced analytical and decision-making abilities to tackle complex, real-world challenges.
• Practical, research-informed learning: Tailored modules combine world-leading research with problem-centred teaching, preparing students for careers in public management and beyond.
• Join a global community: Our department welcomes students from China, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the USA, Turkey, and the UK, creating an international learning environment.
• Support for international students: Academic skills are embedded in core modules, with additional English language support available through our on-campus International Study Centre.
• Special pathway for professionals: For those on government training sabbaticals, the full-time MPA with Applied Study (21 months) offers an extended policy project with additional training and learning opportunities.

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Select date of entry Sept 2026

Select programme Full time 1 year Part time up to 3 years With Applied Study

Apply for Jan 2026 entry

Apply for Sept 2026 entry

Fast Track (current Exeter students)

Open Days

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Contact

Programme Director: Dr Stephen Greasley

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 100 in the world for Politics

QS World University Subject Rankings 2025

Our MPA is delivered by our experts in Public Administration

Top 40 in the world for Public Administration

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2025

We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research

Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021

Entry requirements

We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). We welcome students from any academic background.

Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Please note, if we receive an application which we deem more suitable for one of our other programmes, such as the MSc Public Policy, we may make an offer for that alternative programme instead.

The MPA with Applied Studies programme is designed for public officials who are sponsored by the organisation they work for (for example their department).  If you do not have sponsorship from a public sector employer please apply to the one year MPA.

Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

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Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.

The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.

Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

The course has given me ideas and insights from international cases and has helped me connect with big organisations. This includes joining the women’s assembly of the UN. I have also been able to apply for the ‘Aspire’ programme at Harvard as a result of studying for the MPA

Laura Quequejana Melo

studying Masters in Public Administration (MPA)

Course content

You will study a range of modules specifically designed for the MPA. The modules will address key challenges in modern public management and policymaking.  You will engage with big questions of how government should respond to public pressure, and improve your ability to understand and solve policy problems while at the same time getting into the details of policy issues. The degree is flexible enough to allow you to develop some of your specialised interests within its framework.

Small group teaching provides opportunities to work collaboratively with students from a variety of backgrounds to explore a range of challenges. As well as providing you with a strong background in the study of government and policy the programme offers the opportunity for you to explore cutting edge ideas in academic debates about government.

The part-time route is suitable for UK students working in the public sector who want to develop skills relevant to their roles and earn a higher level qualification.  It is also suitable if you wish to change career or if you are working to support your studies. In the first year of part-time study you will complete the core module in term 1 (‘Management and Governance’) and typically select one further module in term 2. In the second year you will complete two further modules and you can either complete your dissertation in the second or third year. There is some flexibility about this schedule.

Mid-career professionals with government sponsorship can take the extended MPA with Applied Studies which provides you with further opportunity to research and seek solutions to issues and challenges you face in the workplace. The MPA with Applied Studies is only available full-time.

The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Modules

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

90 credits of compulsory modules.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

90 Credits from the listed MPA thematic cluster optional modules or 60 credits from below and up to 30 credits from other modules in the Facutly of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

With Applied Study

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

Stage 1

90 credits of compulsory MPA modules

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

90 credits from the listed optional MPA thematic cluster modules or 60 credits from below and up to 30 credits from other modules in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences..

Stage 2

Compulsory modules

60 credits of compulsory MPA modules.

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Fees

2026/27 entry

UK fees per year:

£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time

International fees per year:

*£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time*

With Applied Study

Prospective students enrolling in 2026/27 will pay £31,600 tuition fees in total. Year 1: £25,550, Year 2: £6,050 (9 months).

Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.

*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..

Find out more about tuition fees and funding »

Teaching and research

Programme structure

Your course will normally be delivered in a mix of intensive teaching blocks and weekly sessions, this depends on the specific module selected.

Intensive modules will consist of:

• A preparation period (guided readings and preparatory research)
• Three to four days of intensive seminars, lectures/talks and workshops spread over up to three weeks
• Post-teaching period (reflection, task completion, preparation of assessed work)

Non-intensive modules meet once a week through term time.

Teaching methods

Content and delivery will include not only traditional teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars and workshops, but depending on your choice of modules may involve:

• Task-oriented work including case-study work
• Reflective journals, presentations from visiting speakers with public sector experience
• Field trips to local or regional public bodies

You will benefit from excellent online learning resources including lecture notes, articles, and presentations.

Induction

The programme includes an induction to welcome you to the Exeter MPA and help you adjust to postgraduate study. We will provide practical help and advice on subjects such as study and research skills and be available to answer any of your questions.

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Dr Stephen Greasley

Programme Director

Professor Oliver James

Professor of Political Science

Professor Duncan Russel

Professor in Environmental Policy

Dr Stephen Greasley

Programme Director

Stephen’s research and teaching interests are in public policy and administration. He has a particular interest in various types of arm’s length governance and the way that these are, or are not influenced, by the political system. His research has primarily focused on the UK at national and local levels. Stephen teaches on the core module Policy and Politics: the theory and Strategy of Delivering Public Services.

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Dr Stephen Greasley

Programme Director

Stephen’s research and teaching interests are in public policy and administration. He has a particular interest in various types of arm’s length governance and the way that these are, or are not influenced, by the political system. His research has primarily focused on the UK at national and local levels. Stephen teaches on the core module Policy and Politics: the theory and Strategy of Delivering Public Services.

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Professor Oliver James

Professor of Political Science

Oliver works on the politics of public services, citizen-provider relationships, public sector organisation and reform, executive politics (particularly politician-administrator relations) and regulation of publicly owned and/or funded bodies and services. He uses a range of methods including survey and field experiments.

As well as his primary interest in academic research and teaching, he works with public sector organisations in the UK and elsewhere, and has acted as a consultant to bodies including the World Bank, OECD, UK Treasury, UK National Audit Office and UK Audit Commission.

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Professor Duncan Russel

Professor in Environmental Policy

Duncan Russel is a Professor in Environmental Policy. His research and teaching interests include UK and European climate, climate and public policy, policy appraisal and coordination, evidence and policy interactions and budgetary politics.

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I had been serving my country as a public official at the Office of the Judiciary under the Court of Justice of Thailand for almost six years before I started the MPA. I would certainly recommend the Exeter MPA to someone who considering studying in the field of public administration.

The programme is dynamic and open for independent study. Modules are kept up-to-date with the current challenges in public administration, and are well facilitated with the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE), giving access to all essential materials students need online.

The Exeter MPA is an excellent programme to personally transform you by learning and sharing ideas and experience with the Faculty, your classmates and other members in the community at Exeter. If you are looking for change in your life for a brighter future, or a way to contribute positive change in your career or organisation, the Exeter MPA programme is the right programme for you.

Read more from Kritsanant

Kritsanant

Master of Public Administration graduate from Thailand

Information for employers and sponsors

Employer benefits

The range of opportunities offered by the core and elective modules allows participants to plot a course which best matches your immediate business priorities as well as individuals’ professional development needs. Your organisation will benefit from:

• Increased knowledge and skills relevant to management competencies
• An understanding of key skills that underpin the requirements of modernising public sector organisations
• Enhanced knowledge and skills in policy making and delivery
• The latest thinking on issues faced by public sector organisations in the UK and overseas

Working together

We are keen to work with you to help you and your managers get the best out of the Exeter MPA and have a good track record of collaborating with sponsors and employers. In each year of the degree, we have welcomed students with extensive experience working in the public sector and on policy issues.

How we can support your organisation

We aim to take a flexible approach to programme delivery and will be happy to discuss any specific requirements of sponsoring organisations such as:

• Agreeing learning outcomes
• Negotiating work-based projects to deliver business improvements
• Tailoring assessment around specific management competencies
• Single module delivery or bespoke training
• Competitive fee packages for groups of students from the same employer

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Careers

Who is this course for?

This degree is most suitable for applicants with experience of working in public management or governance broadly defined, for example:

• national, regional and local governments and their partner organisations
• not-for profit bodies
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• charities
• companies working with government
• consultancies
• think tanks
• research institutes
• campaigning organisations

Many of our students have already embarked on a career in public service, but we do accept students who have demonstrated a commitment to a role and career in public governance, NGOs, and international organisations.

Careers

We have a long history of teaching public administration and public policy to postgraduates at Exeter. Students have gone on to careers in regional governments, ministries, embassies and other organisations around the world.

Employer-valued skills

The need to develop management and leadership skills is being recognised as increasingly important within the public sector and this has been reflected by the introduction of management competencies and a growing demand for formal qualifications for senior management positions.

There are many reasons to study for the Exeter MPA including:

• Enhancing your opportunities for career progression
• Obtaining a wider perspective of the environment in which you work
• Developing strategic decision making and leadership skills
• Improving your confidence and credibility in the workplace
• Gaining more knowledge about other people and other organisations
• Networking and sharing experiences with public sector colleagues

Careers support

Our careers advisory service provides expert guidance to all students to enable them to plan their futures through psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation.

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Related courses

[Public Policy MSc

Streatham Campus](https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/politics/public-policy/)

View all Politics and International Relations courses

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