The Master of Arts in Public Policy Leadership empowers you with the knowledge and competencies necessary to lead and influence public enterprise, read the signs of the political and economic contexts, identify opportunities, boost research and analysis, understand governance, and, most importantly, improve policy success. The driving philosophy of the course is “leading through policy-making” whereby you will get the opportunity to think, develop effective ideas, move from theory to action and develop your potential to lead. To this effect, the programme is designed to foster unexplored leadership qualities in order to diversify and enrich your existing talent platform. Furthermore, it provides well-grounded public management tools to engage successfully in public affairs as executives, analysts, consultants and policy advisors in state, business and non-governmental organisations. The programme develops you into an ethical and effective leader who is capable of bringing about planned change, ensure good governance, while maintaining institutional stability.

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of:

(a) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours in Public Policy or Public Administration or

(b) a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II, in any other area deemed relevant by the Board, provided that such applicants may be required to provide evidence of work experience or are currently in employment relevant to the Course or

(c) a Bachelor degree obtained with Third Class Honours in Public Policy or Public Administration, provided that applicants have obtained other qualifications, including relevant work experience, following their first cycle degree or

(d) a qualification deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to be comparable to the qualifications listed in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c),

provided that, in appropriate cases, the Board may require students admitted to the Course to follow and pass supplementary study-units up to a maximum of 12 ECTS credits, in addition to the programme of study specified in bye-law 6 of the bye-laws for the Course.

The admission of applicants under paragraphs (b), (c) and, if necessary, (d) may be made conditional on the result of an interview conducted for the purpose.

Interviews, when necessary, shall be conducted by a board composed of at least three members appointed for the purpose by the Board.

Preparatory Programme

Applicants admitted under paragraphs (b), (c) and, if necessary, (d) may be required to complete a preparatory programme, comprising not less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits, and to obtain an overall average mark of 55% or better, prior to their registration as regular students on the Course.

The Board may grant applicants full or partial exemption from the requirement of the preparatory programme if it is satisfied that the applicant possesses post first cycle degree work experience that is relevant to the Course.

The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October 2020.

For more detailed information pertaining to admission and progression requirements please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.