Public Policy
Overview
The Master of Public Policy provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the global, national, and local levels of a rapidly changing policy environment.
The specialisation in public policy is designed to prepare policy leaders to master the fundamentals of public policy making - developing policy from start to finish, including analysing the problem, interpreting data, and undertaking professional research.
Tailor your degree depending on your career goals; you can choose electives from public administration, international relations, or you can select two electives from anywhere across the university.
These courses are flexible, and designed for 100% online, in person, or blended learning (a combination of in person and online classes).
Flinders University also offers the Master of Public Administration which equips the managers and administrators with knowledge and skills required to effectively manage the business of the government, not-for profit and international organisations and the Master of International Relations, which enables leaders in foreign affairs, defence or international trade to develop skills around security, economics, trade and diplomacy.
I am an
International Student
Australia or New Zealand.
I am a
Domestic Student
I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).
Courses
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
Duration: 6 months
Delivery mode:
In Person
Online
Location:
City
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
February
July
SATAC code:
2GC038 (Online)
2GC909 (City)
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$15,246 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Administration
Duration: 1 year
Delivery mode:
In Person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
City
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
February
July
SATAC code:
2GD126 (Online)
2GD906 (City)
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$30,082 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Master of Public Policy
Duration: 2 years
Delivery mode:
In Person
Online
Location:
City
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
February
July
SATAC code:
2CM282 (Online)
2CM923 (City)
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$30,492 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Courses
Duration: 6 months
Delivery mode:
In person
Location:
City
Start dates:
March
July
CRICOS code: 053050G
Annual fees:
2025: $18,600
Duration: 1 year
Delivery mode:
In person
Location:
City
Start dates:
March
July
October
CRICOS code: 107770B
Annual fees:
2025: $37,200
Duration: 2 years
Delivery mode:
In person
Location:
City
Start dates:
March
July
CRICOS code: 102683H
Annual fees:
2025: $37,200
Your career
Take charge of your global government career, learn how to apply and build leadership in the public sector, building ethical workplace cultures and managing sustainable trade in a government context. The Master of Public Policy prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities in policy areas including local, state, and national governments or in private and non-government organisations both in Australia and overseas.
Potential occupations include:
- policy director
- secretary
- chief executive
- director general
- executive director
- manager
- chief operating officer
- impact manager
- general manager
- fundraising & philanthropy director
- engagement director
Potential employers include:
- Local, State and Australian Government Departments
- not-for-profit organisations
- international aid organisations
- social advocacy organisations.
What you will study
The study program includes a mixture of compulsory and elective topics, as well as individual research.
Topics cover areas such as public policy, governance and public policy, economics and public policy and a professional research project.
Electives can be incorporated from public administration, or international relations, and two electives can be selected from anywhere across the university.
Masters students have the opportunity to undertake an internship. A Flinders’ internship helps you graduate work-ready and provides experience directly related to a specialist area in your degree.
Graduate work ready
How Flinders helps you graduate work-ready
With the future workplace rapidly changing, it’s hard to predict what competencies and skill sets will be in demand. One way to cut through the uncertainty? Work with current industry.
Frequently asked questions
The Master of Public Policy enables policy analysts and managers to become an expert on the fundamentals of public policy making, developing policy from start to finish, including analysing the problem, interpreting data, and undertaking professional research.
The Master of Public Sector Management degree is for people who manage people, projects and resources in a wide variety of organisations including government departments, not for profits, international non-governmental organisations, and social enterprises. The course provides students with the skills in public sector management and knowledge to undertake professional research.
The Master of International Relations degree is for managers and analysts working in foreign affairs, defence, international trade and related areas, and combines theory and practical analysis to examine global issues like war, poverty, security, economics, trade and diplomacy.
Both master’s degrees are for leaders working on the public sector or non-government or related organisations, and there is room for elective topic selection in both courses. The Master of Public Policy focuses more on formulating and evaluating public policy, whilst the Master of Public Sector Management degree focuses on the implementation of public policy.
You can complete the Master of Public Policy in two years, and you have the option to start with the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy, which takes as little as 6 months, and then take a break, and resume your studies down the track. You can also receive credit for previous studies to shorten the course duration.
Entry requirements
Graduate Certificate
Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification.
Graduate Diploma
Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification, or a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy with a GPA of 4.5, or a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration with a GPA of 4.5, or a Graduate Certificate in International Relations with a GPA of 4.5.
Masters
Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification, or a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy with a GPA of 4.5, or a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration with a GPA of 4.5, or a Graduate Certificate in International Relations with a GPA of 4.5
Select your preferred course and apply directly through the MySATAC application portal.
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Administration
Master of Public Policy
Entry requirements
Graduate Certificate
Applicants for the graduate certificates must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent from an approved tertiary institution.
Graduate Diploma
Applicants for the graduate diploma must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent from an approved tertiary institution.
Masters
The Master of Public Sector Management is normally available to applicants who hold an approved degree or an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution.
Select your course.
Check entry requirements.
Check your eligibility for credit.
Obtain certified documents.
Submit your application and documents.
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South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University