This is a 21-month course that specialises in social and public policy analysis and social research. You'll focus on comparative cross-national and international policy. You'll also spend time analysing policy development and policy lessons from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member states.
The first half of this Masters of Public Administration (MPA) will enable you to study and explore a combination of comparative social policy and public management. In the second half you'll get advanced research skills training. You'll undertake practice related activities including small group activities that will expose you to applied policy research in practice with the support of a learning mentor.
You'll study modules in your first year that will introduce you to the concepts and techniques you'll use later in the course. You'll also build on your knowledge with a series of masterclasses and your own policy analysis.
Core Modules
Option Modules
You will also study three option modules. Previous modules have included:
In your second year you'll study modules that build advanced research skills and allow you to deepen your understanding of applied social and public policy.
Core Modules
Throughout the programme you will undertake a series of masterclasses and engage in portfolio-based learning, including group projects, conference attendance and professional networking.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
You'll work on two independent projects that will be assessed as part of your course.
During Autumn Semester in your second year you will undertake an Applied Policy Transfer Project in which you'll be able to specialise on a specific policy issue in which you'll explore cross-national evidence to identify policy solutions that may be transferred from one country to another.
Towards the end of your second year you'll complete a structured Independent Scoping Review of up to 10-12,000 words. You will select a policy or delivery issue that relates to your own professional interests and use scoping methods to assess the evidence base."
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll attend lectures, usually in groups no larger than 30 students, and often with much fewer. You'll also take part in group seminars and hands-on workshops. You will attend a series of masterclasses that explore issues such as research communication, organisational culture, behavioural insights for social and public policy, and policy evaluation in detail.
You'll have support from a learning mentor throughout the course who will work with you on a one-to-one basis through the course and who will help to advise on professional learning activities.
You'll also be able to attend the School's lectures and University lectures featuring visiting speakers from across the world.
You'll be based in the School for Business and Society in the Church Lane Building on Campus West . Most of your teaching will take place nearby. Find out more about our facilities in the Church Lane Building.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Your assessment will be continuous and based mainly on essays and reports. You will receive written feedback on all assessed work.
You'll need at least three years professional experience in a public sector or NGO setting.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
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