Overview

If you're aiming for senior leadership within the public sector, this distance learning MPA (Master of Public Administration) top-up gives you the tools to step up. You’ll explore what it means to lead and manage effectively across public services — from health and education to policing, social care and environmental policy.

Whether you're working in the public sector already or looking to move into it, this course equips you to lead with knowledge, integrity and impact.

And because it’s delivered fully online, you can build the next stage of your career without pausing the one you have.

Career

This Public Administration (Distance Learning) (Top-up) programme from University of Portsmouth prepares you to lead and manage in an evolving and complex public sector. As technology advances and societal needs grow, this course will help you develop the skills needed to lead change and deliver services that protect and enhance the lives of citizens, enabling you to make a positive impact on society.

As a graduate, you'll be ready to take on leadership and specialist roles across a wide range of public service fields, such as:

Parliament or civil service
Police, health or education leadership
Social services
Environmental and climate change policy
Legal and financial public sector consultancy

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Programme Structure

Courses include

Dissertation/Major Project (Masters Public Administration) - 60 credits

You’ll complete an extended research project and write it up within a substantial academic dissertation thesis or an applied work-based project report, showcasing your grasp of design, methods, ethics, organisation and planning.

Check out the full curriculum

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Key information

Duration

Part-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-14 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

More details

There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date.

Language

English

IELTS

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

Online

Campus Location

Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Public Administration View 16 other Masters in Public Administration in United Kingdom

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Visit programme website

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

An undergraduate degree or equivalent management or leadership experience.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 7.0.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

you have a UK degree

you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)

Make sure you meet all requirements

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

3230 GBP / year

≈ 3230 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

3230 GBP / year

≈ 3230 GBP / year

Additional Details

All fees subject to annual increase.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Administration (Distance Learning) (Top-up).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Career

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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