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Postgraduate Course

Master of Public Policy

Gain the analytical, theoretical and professional skills to pursue a career in government, non-profit and private sectors both in Australia and internationally with a Master of Public Policy.

What type of student are you?

Domestic International

Murdoch code: M1394
Study mode: Part Time or Full Time
Duration: 2
Selection rank
CRICOS code: 117153M
First year fee (domestic): $17,280
First year fee (international): $34,320
Full course fee (domestic): $34,560
Full course fee (international): $68,640

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The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Overview

Policymaking is about finding solutions to address the social, environmental and economic issues that impact state and society. The Master of Public Policy will equip you with the skills required to respond to the ever-complex policy problems that states and governments confront, and to devise meaningful solutions to pressing policy challenges. Students who complete this course are highly sought after in government, the public sector, the not-for-profit sector, and as consultants.

Murdoch University has worked closely with relevant stakeholders to design the Master of Public Policy to help you to make a difference in your policy career. You will gain the knowledge and skills that you need to analyse policy problems, and to design, implement and evaluate policy in complex institutional and regulatory environments.

The course offers units to enhance both content knowledge and your professional skills, with assessments designed to prepare you for work as a policy analyst.

3 reasons to study a Master of Public Policy at Murdoch

Work with a Murdoch industry partner on a research project that allows you to put your learning into practice as you gain academic credit.
Travel to Indonesia as part of the Study Indonesia Australian Consortium for 'In-Country' Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) program and earn credits towards your degree.
Learn from experts in public sector reform, public administration, political economy and governance, public sector corruption, and political communication.

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Core topics that you will study include:

Foundations of public policy
Comparative governance
Public sector administration and management
Political communication
Public sector corruption and its prevention

In addition, you will be able to select from a wide array of carefully curated elective units that will allow you to build expertise in particular areas of policy interest, such as environmental policy and international and community development.

Your future career

Whether you are a recent graduate expanding your knowledge, or a professional exploring a new career direction, this course will enhance your professional skills and provide you with a competitive edge in your career. You could pursue a career in the public sector, the not-for-profit sector or in roles at the intersection between government and business. Careers could include:

Policy analyst
Ministerial and Parliamentary Advisor
Evaluation and Performance Reporting Officer
Policy consultant

Progress to structure

Study areas

Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

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Progress to structure

Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Total credit points: 48

Unit code	Unit name	Credit points
Course Core		48 credit points
Required Units		30 credit points
GOV602	Governance, Public Policy, and the Transforming State	6
GOV603	Political Communication: Actors, Challenges, and Digital Cultures	6
GOV604	Corruption and Anti-corruption	6
GOV605	Public Sector Management	6
GOV613	Public Policy Perspectives	6
Specified Elective Units Students must select either Option 1 or Option 2.		18 credit points
Option 1: Specialist Knowledge Pathway While the specified electives are organised into broad policy themes, students may choose up to 12 points from any of the units from across the three themed clusters. The only required unit in Option 1 is GOV600 - Policy Research: Strategies, Methods and Design.		18 credit points
Required Unit		6 credit points
GOV600	Policy Research: Strategies, Methods and Design	6
OR
Human Security and Justice		12 credit points
GOV611	Political Economy of Development and Public Policy	6
	OR
GOV612	Global Governance, Security and Economy	6
	OR
GOV635	Security, Conflict and Violence	6
	OR
LLM601	International Law	3
	OR
SWM621	Ethics and Global Justice	3
	OR
MCR607	Advanced Transnational Crime	6
	OR
BIO688	Challenges in Food Security	6
	OR
MBS527	Health Policy and Governance	3
	OR
AST558	Gender in Asian Societies	3
OR
Sustainability, Development and Society		12 credit points
AST6501	Culture, Communities and Sustainability in Asia	3
	OR
COD502	Community Development in Indigenous Communities	3
	OR
COD504	Community, Policy and Change	3
	OR
DEV511	Critical Approaches to Development	6
	OR
ENV601	Coastal Policy and Management	3
	OR
ENV616	Environmental Policy for the 21st Century	3
	OR
ENV680	Climate Change Adaptation: Ecosystems and Societies	3
	OR
GOV611	Political Economy of Development and Public Policy	6
	OR
MBS662	Business, Society and the Environment	6
	OR
PEN591	Energy Policy	3
	OR
PEN597	Climate Change Science and Policy	3
	OR
SUS512	Sustainability, Ecology and Communities	3
	OR
SUS6111	Resilient Regions: People and Practice	3
OR
Professional Practice		12 credit points
ENV684	Modelling the Environment	3
	OR
GRD503	Design Thinking Tools	3
	OR
MBS538	Organisational Behaviour and Management	3
	OR
MBS603	Data, Metrics, Reporting and Analytics	3
	OR
MBS643	Industry Project for Business	6
	OR
MBS663	Leading the Engaged Enterprise	6
	OR
MBS684	Managing Strategic Risk and Projects	6
	OR
MCM506	Strategic Communication	3
OR
Option 2: Thesis Pathway This option is for students interested in undertaking traditional academic research, and who meet the enrolment requirements for GOV617. In addition to completing GOV617, students must select an additional 6 points from the specified units.		18 credit points
Required Unit		12 credit points
GOV617	Supervised Research Thesis	12
Specified Elective Units		6 credit points
ART504	Research Proposal and Design	3
	OR
ART505	Literature Review	3
	OR
GRD503	Design Thinking Tools	3

Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses	Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subjectMUPC (1 Trimester)Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.	Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation CourseIntroduction to Academic Communication unitFoundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
University study	Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).	Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Enabling courses (after Year 12)	Successful completion of one of the following: OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University. Murdoch FlexiTrack High program in Year 12. TLC – Learning for Tomorrow in Year 12. An enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.	Successful completion of the course.

Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subjectMUPC (1 Trimester)Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation CourseIntroduction to Academic Communication unitFoundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject.

University study
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).

Enabling courses (after Year 12)
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of one of the following: OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University. Murdoch FlexiTrack High program in Year 12. TLC – Learning for Tomorrow in Year 12. An enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of the course.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma	Total score of 24 or higher.	Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
GCE A Levels	Aggregate of 6 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)	A Levels: D in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: C in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)	CPS 54 or higher.	50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
VET course studied at school	Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following: English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Extenuating circumstances	We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course.Find out more.	Case-by-case assessment.
Overseas Year 12	Please refer to the information under the country of study.	Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)	Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.	Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)	70	Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement Total score of 24 or higher.
Minimum English requirement Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement Aggregate of 6 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)
Minimum English requirement A Levels: D in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: C in one of the following: English Language English Literature Knowledge and Inquiry

Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement CPS 54 or higher.
Minimum English requirement 50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).

VET course studied at school
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following: English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.

Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course.Find out more.
Minimum English requirement Case-by-case assessment.

Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Minimum English requirement Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement 70
Minimum English requirement Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6	Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.	Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Certificate IV AQF level 4	Successful completion of a Certificate IV.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).

Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

Certificate IV AQF level 4
Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)	MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)	Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).

Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).

Completion of a Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Progress to fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

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Progress to how to apply

How to apply

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All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.

The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.

For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.

Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.

The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.

The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.

All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.

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Master of Public Policy

What type of student are you?

Overview

Study areas

Apply to start

Sign up to hear from us

Structure

Total credit points: 48

Entry requirements

Select which option best describes your path to university :

Higher Education

Recent Secondary Education

Vocational Education & Training

Work & Life Experience

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

English Requirements

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing

Fees and scholarships

Scholarships

How much will it cost?

How much will it cost?

Scholarships

How to apply

How to apply