Master of Public Policy (MPP)

  • About
  • Entry requirements
  • Resources
  • Funding and costs
  • College preference
  • How to apply

About the course

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is an intensive i-year taught caste course that offers a distinctive arroyo to learning most public policy. It is a transformative opportunity for current and hereafter leaders with a delivery to public service. Taught past outstanding academics as well as good practitioners you will be uniquely positioned to develop academic knowledge and professional person skills to address some of this century's most circuitous public policy challenges.

The MPP begins with a carefully planned programme of activities during the induction catamenia which provides an introduction to policy making and advice on how to derive the greatest do good from the MPP experience. The curriculum for the rest of the course is delivered via a series of lectures, seminars, case studies and workshops across three terms, and the summertime project which is an opportunity to apply noesis and skills learned through the program in a public policy context.

Policy challenges are becoming more circuitous every twenty-four hours and public leaders demand to be able to use expertise from different specialist fields to find innovative solutions. For this reason, the curriculum integrates insights and approaches from a diverse range of academic disciplines and besides includes modules delivered by leading policy practitioners.

The current curriculum includes the following compulsory modules:

  • Economics
  • Testify and Public Policy
  • Foundations (Philosophy and Public Policy)
  • Law and Public Policy
  • Policy Claiming I
  • Policy Challenge Ii
  • The Politics of Policymaking

Y'all tin can also personalise your learning to meet your professional person needs by choosing from a number of options too as deepen your professional person and practical skills through modules such as negotiation, communications, individual finance and design thinking. You will also get to further acuminate your skills and exposure to real world policy challenges through a half-dozen-8 week summer project. It is expected that MPP students will be fully committed to their studies and take responsibility for their active participation in all aspects of the programme.

Alongside educational activity, which tin include lectures, case studies, workshops and seminars, you are encouraged to acquire from each other, for instance by forming written report groups and arranging student-led talks and events. You will too be expected to undertake some self-directed written report, including required and supplementary readings and case studies. In the case of required readings, you are expected to have read these in advance of the form to which they are assigned. The course page on the school'due south website provides further information nigh the class.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this form is the responsibleness of the Blavatnik School of Government and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming students to work with a detail member of staff.  Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be constitute outside the Blavatnik School of Government.

Assessment

Your learning will be assessed for each module in a variety of ways. Current methods include open-book assessments, essays and in-course testing of a more applied nature.

Graduate destinations

The MPP prepares you to go a alter-maker. The skills you lot larn on the programme will enable you to notice and utilise evidence effectively, communicate finer, and make central decisions whether in government, non-governmental organisations or the private sector. You will larn to view incertitude as opportunity and recognise the benefits of alter, as well every bit recognise and respect the diverse range of perspectives yous may encounter and work with.

Our alumni are exceptional achievers and change-makers who share a commitment to improving public service. Please see our Alumni website. When you join the school, you also join an incredible and lifelong community of peers, and an alumni network spread across the world. These connections serve equally powerful reminders for all of us of our shared commitment to public service and our desire to make a real difference in the world. Our alumni concur senior public sector positions in every global region, and include a UAE minister; elected representatives in Panama, Brazil, Ukraine, Canada and Mongolia; and senior civil servants across the world. Many more work in multilaterals and the third sector, including those who accept founded NGOs.

In add-on, students can benefit from the Blavatnik School's professional person skills plan and in chat events with leading public policy and political figures, also every bit access one-to-one careers advice at the University's Careers Service, which is very close to the Blavatnik School.

The MPP is a caste for professionals that trains people to hone their skills in policy making and analysis and is non designed to prepare you for inquiry-based courses of study, such as the DPhil in Public Policy.

Successful graduates of this course may also progress to the MSc in Public Policy Research as part of the Blavatnik School 1+1 programme, provided that successful applications to both programmes were made in the aforementioned admission cycle and that all the requirements of the Blavatnik School 1+1 program (shown on the programme page) were met.

All graduate courses offered by the Blavatnik School of Government

Entry requirements for entry in 2022-23

  • a get-go-class or strong upper second-course undergraduate degree with honours in whatever discipline.

Applicants should have an outstanding academic tape with exceptionally high academic results throughout, or should show an impressive upward trajectory in performance. This may be further evidenced by scholarships or prizes awarded because of academic abilities/achievements or glowing academic references ranking yous at the very superlative of your peer group.

For applicants with a caste from the Usa, the minimum GPA sought is usually three.vii out of 4.0.

GRE Full general Test scores

Information technology is recommended that y'all also submit scores from a standardised test such equally the GRE, GMAT or LSAT, though these are not required to complete your application.

Other qualifications, show of excellence and relevant experience

Publications are non expected.

Delivery to public service

In addition to academic and analytical power, applicants are expected to demonstrate a high level of commitment to public service. You should demonstrate an ethos of public service evident in the trajectory of your chosen career path, whether this be in the public, individual or NGO sector, and/or an outstanding record of achievement in volunteering. This ethos and commitment should also get beyond your own life and demonstrate that yous are able to testify regard for others in the broader community, and recognise why the perspectives of others might differ from your ain.

Evidence of leadership and impact

Applicants should besides demonstrate an ability to lead and have touch in their chosen field through devising or initiating projects which are innovative in nature and lead to real and lasting change. This does not necessarily need to be shown through traditional leadership positions. You lot should acquit in mind that leadership frequently requires enabling and empowering others to succeed. Sometimes the highest-impact work is too the quieter work which takes identify behind the scenes, facilitating the more visible contributions of others. These qualities of leadership, drive and entrepreneurialism may be demonstrated through voluntary, professional or other activities.

In that location is no preferred background for the MPP and applications are welcomed from all academic disciplines and professional person backgrounds. Prior full-time or part-time professional person experience is viewed favourably, because of the means in which information technology tin can develop and enhance delivery to public service and show of leadership and impact.

Please note, in because applicants' achievements and their suitability for a place on the MPP, the Blavatnik School of Authorities takes a holistic approach and a range of contextual factors, looking at each applicant's individual circumstances, will be taken into account.

Further guidance

  • The MPP is an applied degree and students will not exist taught in-depth enquiry skills. It volition non set up applicants directly for progression to research-based courses such equally the DPhil in Public Policy.
  • In order to exist accustomed onto the DPhil applicants will be required to take completed a degree that provided the enquiry training and skills necessary for their intended DPhil area of report. For more data on the DPhil entry requirements please see the DPhil in Public Policy.

Interviews are not normally held every bit part of the admissions process.

Supervision

Any offering of a identify is dependent on the University's power to provide the advisable supervision for your chosen expanse of piece of work. Please refer to the 'About' section of this page for more data virtually the provision of supervision for this course.

How your awarding is assessed

Your awarding will be assessed on academic merit and potential, according to the published entry requirements for the course, and evidence relating to commitment to public service and leadership and affect. TheAfterwards you apply section of this website provides further information nearly the academic assessment of your application, including the potential outcomes. Please note that whatsoever offer of a place may be subject to academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These weather may vary depending upon your individual bookish circumstances.

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and indigenous or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex activity, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. Notwithstanding, please note the following:

  • Socio-economic data may be taken into account in the option of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of the Academy's airplane pilot on selection procedures and for scholarships aimed at under-represented groups;
  • Country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
  • Protected characteristics may exist taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has canonical a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Further data about processing special category information for the purposes of positive action and information about using your data to appraise your eligibility for funding, can exist found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a educatee involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant feel and expertise, and must likewise be canonical by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent inside the department).

Admissions panels or committees will e'er include at to the lowest degree one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Afterwards an offer is made

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer letter will give full details of your offer and any academic weather condition, such equally achieving a specific last grade in your current degree course.  In improver to whatsoever academic conditions which are ready, you will be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If y'all are offered a place, you will be required to complete a Fiscal Annunciation in order to meet your financial condition of access.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accord with the University'south obligations towards students and staff, we volition ask you to declare whatever relevant, unspent criminal convictions earlier you tin can take upward a place at Oxford.

Resources

At the Blavatnik Schoolhouse of Government there is a dedicated MPP report area besides as additional study spaces elsewhere in the building, some of which tin be pre-booked.

Students are strongly encouraged and supported to organise their ain peer learning and social activities.

Farther data about funding opportunities for this course can be plant on the school'southward website.

Annual fees for entry in 2022-23

There are no compulsory elements of this form that entail additional costs across fees and living costs. However, equally part of your class requirements, there may be costs associated with the summertime project, depending on the type and location of the placement, such as travel and accommodation expenses. Yous can discover out more than about the summer project on the Blavatnik School of Authorities website. You will need to meet whatever additional costs, although you may be able to employ for pocket-size grants from the schoolhouse or your college to help you cover some of these expenses.

College preference

Primary of Public Policy

The following colleges accept students for study on this course:

Public Policy i+1 programme

The post-obit colleges have students for this course when studied as part of the Public Policy 1+1 programme:

How to apply

If you accept any questions about the course, delight consult the Blavatnik School of Government website. Please note that academics at the Blavatnik School of Government are unable to comment on your suitability for the form or offer advice on the admissions process. If you lot have any questions that are non answered by the Blavatnik School of Government website, please contact the Admissions Team via electronic mail.

Official transcript(south)

CV/résumé

Personal statement:
A maximum of 800 words

You should explain why you desire to do the MPP, how your feel to engagement prepares yous for the course, and how the MPP would enhance your time to come plans. Please besides outline your specific policy interests and the skills and feel you would bring to the classroom.

You may also use your personal statement to explain any special circumstances relating to whatever element of your application that y'all wish to bring to the attending of the assessors.

The personal statement should be written in English language and will exist used to assess:

  • your commitment to public service
  • prove of proven or potential leadership and touch on
  • full general suitability for the MPP plan.

Written piece of work:
Ii essays, one of a maximum of 1,500 words and 1 of a maximum of 400 words

You must not submit work which was produced in conjunction with others. You should also appropriately reference your work, using the academy's guidance on referencing.

The discussion count must be adhered to and listed at the end of the body of written piece of work. The full word count should exclude any footnotes, annotations or bibliography used.

Policy brief or policy analysis essay (maximum one,500 words)

You lot are required to submit a policy brief or policy analysis essay on a pressing policy issue. This must be entirely your own work and written in English.

Submitted work should have a clearly defined topic of investigation and should not try to sustain broad and sweeping generalisations. You lot may also wish to consider how policy inside your chosen area is made, implemented, and evaluated, as well equally how innovative solutions may be formulated using these insights.

Choosing a suitable topic and style of written piece of work forms part of this assessment and is therefore left to your discretion. You lot are encouraged to choose the format that you notice all-time presents your analytical ability. Similarly, as there is no set topic range, you are encouraged to choose a topic that you are passionate almost only where you lot also have sufficient cognition to present a succinct and coherent statement.

For the MPP, this written piece volition be assessed for your power to:

  • write clearly and concisely
  • construct an argument
  • gather and present evidence
  • exercise critical thought
  • describe policy-focused conclusions.

The written work y'all submit should therefore demonstrate your academic and analytical power and your suitability for the program.

Public service (maximum 400 words)

You are also required to submit a short essay relating to public service. The Blavatnik School cares profoundly near nurturing people who want to commit fully to public service. Your 2d slice of written work should therefore give the states an example of a situation where y'all have demonstrated this and how you plan to farther your commitment in the future.

This written piece will be assessed for evidence of your commitment to public service and your ability to articulate the contribution your work has made and the bear upon it has had.

References/letters of recommendation:
Three overall, academic and/or professional

References are invited to evaluate the bidder's achievements within the option criteria of academic and belittling excellence, commitment to public service and leadership and impact. It is recommended that y'all seek out referees that are familiar with your achievements and who can provide substantial personal evidence in back up of your awarding.

You must submit at least one academic reference from your current or most recent institute of study. The other 2 may be either bookish or professional merely each must speak to your analytical ability and suitability for the course.

Current chief'south students, or those who have completed a master's degree, are required to submit a reference from their supervisor or form director on the principal's programme. If you lot do non provide an academic reference that meets the criteria listed above, you lot will be asked to do so before the assessment of your application tin can be completed.

Application GuideApply

Applicant feedback

The Blavatnik School of Government receives a very large number of applications and enquiries each year. In the interest of making the admissions process as impartial and fair as possible, it is not possible to offer feedback to some candidates when the privilege cannot exist extended to all. Therefore, the department cannot provide individual guidance on suitability for the course, merely would rather encourage y'all to read the choice criteria carefully and judge for yourself whether your application would meet them.

Each year is a dissever admissions bike and being unsuccessful in one year does non necessarily mean that an awarding would also be unsuccessful in the adjacent.