MPA Public Policy and Management Programme Specification 2025-26

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specification 2025-26
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5	Programme Title			Master of Public Administration - Public Policy and Management
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2025	Award type		MPA
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9	What level is this qualification?			7	Length of programme		24 months
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Part-time
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			No	For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?		Yes
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15	Awarding institution			University of York	Board of Studies for the programme		School for Business and Society
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17	Lead department			School for Business and Society	Other contributing departments		N/A
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19	Language of study and assessment			English	Language(s) of assessment		English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Online
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
25	The programme is run in collaboration with HigherEd Partners (HEP), with HEP being responsible for marketing and recruitment; support for module development and training of tutors; and student support in form of the Student Success Coordinators who serve as first port of call for any student queries and who fulfil a triage function.
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28	Reference points
29	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
30	Framework for Programme Design (University of York); QAA general guidance for Masters and subject benchmark statement for Master's Degrees in Business and Management; furthermore advice was sought from the Academic Support Office
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33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
35	No
36	No
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38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
40	N/A
41	N/A
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43	Internal Transfers
44	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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46		Transfers in:	Transfer between the online MPA programmes would be permitted.		Transfers out:	Transfer between the online MPA programmes would be permitted.
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49	Statement of Purpose
50	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	The MPA Public Policy and Management provides you with the knowledge and skills to analyse and influence how policies are made and implemented in an age of increasing complexity. It will develop your capacity to help your organisation operate more effectively in the delivery and management of public services within challenging environments, as you gain an understanding of the requirements for ethical leadership and effective change management. Interdisciplinary and research-informed, the programme is designed for professionals in the public sector, in not-for-profit organisations or in for-profit organisations involved in public policy or the delivery of public services. You will be joining a global learning community at a highly ranked university, with peers working in similar organisations around the world, and will be guided by a department with a global reputation for its excellent teaching and research. By applying your learning directly to your work, you will prepare yourself for more strategic roles. The design of the programme and the support provided will enable you to balance the requirements of postgraduate study with your work and private responsibilities.
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58	Programme Learning Outcomes
59	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
60	1	Identify, assess and formulate responses to current challenges in public management and the delivery of public services, drawing on a critical understanding of continuities, change and reform in the public and non-profit sector.
61	2	Scrutinise the impact of multi-level and networked governance on public administration and the management of the non-profit sector, as well the role of public service markets in public service delivery.
62	3	Analyse and influence policy processes, drawing on an advanced understanding of the factors that shape policy decisions and that impact on policy success or failure.
63	4	Contribute to effective policy-making and public management in an era of globalisation by applying their understanding of the complex interplay between policy actors, public managers, political circumstances and socio-economic factors.
64	5	Communicate and collaborate as reflective and collegial practitioners in a digitally networked world, by continuously strengthening their ability to reflect on their own professional and academic development.
65	6	Apply acquired specialised skills and in-depth knowledge from inter-disciplinary scholarship in policy analysis and public management in order to independently research problems and identify solutions specific to their professional contexts.
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67	Diverse entry routes
68	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
69	The programme and its modules are aimed at students without prior study experience in the fields of public policy, public administration or public management. All modules will thus provide, in each week, substantive introductory material (in the form of text as well as concise video presentations, for example for threshold concepts) to outline the key issues, theories and debates that are at the centre of a given week. This introductory material will help to contextualise the core readings and prepare students for engagement with them. With respect to the particularities of distance learning, students will begin their studies with two weeks of Induction, in order to familiarise themselves with this mode of study and to obtain advice on effective approaches to their learning. As part of the Induction, students will furthermore be introduced to referencing and academic integrity standards, and will need to complete the University's Academic Integrity Tutorial. The development and strengthening of academic and writing skills will be supported a) within the taught modules, by providing opportunities for practice, and b) by the usual channels for student support, such as the academic supervisor, the Student Success Coordinator, the provision of the Writing and Language Centre and other central University services.
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78	Inclusion
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80	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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82	Employability
83	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
84	This programme is aimed at early- to mid-career professionals working in the public or non-profit sector, or in private sector roles with a link to public policy or public management, whose aim it is to further develop their knowledge and skills in the field of public administration and public policy. This professional development will enable you to take on roles with higher degrees of leadership responsibility and strategic impact. The programme combines academic rigour with a practical focus, and you will be enabled, throughout your studies, to contrast the latest theoretical insights with real-world examples as well as your own professional experiences. In this way, you will become a more reflective and effective practitioner, and will also acquire the skills and knowledge that will help you to advance your career.
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90	Description of Structure
91	Provide a BRIEF description of the structure of the first stage (UG) or programme (PGT): this is only necessary if this is not evident from the tables below. For instance, an entry might be 'students choose X modules in Autumn Semester from List A and Y modules from List B'. For York Online programmes using the 'carousel' model, the description should include whether any modules have to be taken in a particular order (e.g. if there is an introductory module and/or any constraints on the timing of option and/or ISM or ISM-related modules).
92	Six starts per year on the carousel model. All modules are core.
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96	Part-Time Structure (Normally PGT Only): For part-time variants of programmes, please use the box below to specify which modules will be taken in year 1 and which will be taken in year 2 (and so on if more than 2 years).
97	Six starts per year on the carousel model.
98	Six starts per year on the carousel model.
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100	Can a York Language Elective module be taken ab initio (ie beginner level) in Stage 1?							No