Lead with confidence, manage with expertise
The Master of Public Management (MPM) is designed to transform you into a more effective public manager. It will boost your ability to influence the strategic and operational direction of public-sector organisations.
In this programme, you’ll benefit from our engagement with government agencies, gaining insight into the management processes that drive the public sector.
You’ll also gain advanced knowledge of the theory and strategies that shape public management today, and use it to enhance your performance as a manager.
Explore the Master of Public Management
See what the MPM offers, and how it could shape your career in the public sector.
Who can study for this qualification
The Master of Public Management is designed for those who hold—or want to hold—management positions in public sector organisations.
To get into the MPM, you generally need to have a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience working in the public sector. We also welcome applications from recent graduates with high grades and from experienced professionals who don’t have a degree.
What you’ll learn
In the MPM, you’ll gain essential skills in:
- governance and public-sector reform
- managing budgets, finances, and organisational capital
- designing and implementing innovative programs and services, including planning, service delivery, and monitoring and evaluation.
Specialisations
Depending on the availability of courses, you may be able to get an optional specialisation in a subject like Public Policy or Health and Wellbeing. Most people prefer not to do a specialisation, so they can have more flexibility in their choice of elective courses.
Ask our Professional Programmes advisers for more information about specialisations.
Email: ppo@vuw.ac.nz
How you’ll study
While some parts of the programme may be available online, the MPM is primarily designed around in-person participation. Most of the courses are taught in three to five blocks per trimester.
The MPM includes seven core courses (including a capstone course) and three to five elective courses.
Core courses
You’ll study six core courses that equip you with the skills you need to lead and manage in the public sector. Courses combine theory and practice in areas of policy, resources, and people management.
After completing the core and elective courses, you’ll round out the MPM with a capstone course that includes an integrative assignment and a career development plan.
Elective courses
You’ll also choose three to five elective courses from areas such as public sector management, service delivery, procurement, leadership, and sustainability. You can focus on what interests you and supports your career goals.
Diploma and Certificate programmes
Depending on your goals, you can opt for a shorter postgraduate Public Management qualification by doing the 60-point Postgraduate Certificate or 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.
The Certificate develops essential skills and core knowledge in public management. The Diploma builds on this foundation with more advanced study and elective courses that align with your interests and career goals.
Courses completed as part of the Certificate or Diploma can count towards the full Master’s programme, if you decide to continue your studies.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
Get in touch and a copy of our prospectus, or get in touch directly with our Recruitment Manager, Jade Chiam.
Email: jade.chiam@vuw.ac.nz
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MPM degree shall have:
(i) completed a New Zealand Bachelor’s degree or another degree approved by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Wellington School of Business and Government;
(ii) had two years of relevant work experience (this requirement may be waived by the Head of the School of Government in special cases); and
(iii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MPM
2. (a) Except as provided in (b) or section 4, the course of study for the MPM shall consist of courses worth at least 180 points, comprising:
Part 1: Public Managers and the Policy Process (GOVT 502), Managing for Results (GOVT 511), Managing Public Resources (GOVT 512), Managing People in the Public Sector (GOVT 513), Leading Change in Public Organisations (GOVT 514), and An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy (GOVT 505) or 561
Part 2: 75 further points from the Schedule to the MPM regulations, or a coherent 75-point programme of study consisting of 400- and/or 500-level courses, taught at this university, approved by the associate dean in consultation with the relevant head of school.
Part 3: MPM Capstone: The Future-Facing Public Manager (GOVT 565)
(b) The head of school may exempt from any Part 1 course a candidate who has mastered the material covered in that course through previous study and/or practical experience. Credit may be awarded where the previous study involved postgraduate courses not credited to a completed qualification; otherwise, the candidate shall replace exempted courses with approved electives of equivalent points value.
(c) To enrol in Part 3, a candidate shall normally have completed Parts 1 and 2.
(d) A candidate who fails two or more courses, or who fails one course twice, will need the permission of the head of school to continue in the programme.
3. A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least three trimesters and shall complete the degree within four years of first enrolling in it. The head of school may extend the maximum period in special cases.
Future careers
If you're already working in a government or non-governmental organisation—or want to move into this field—the Master of Public Management is a good choice.
You could find management and leadership work:
- in central, local, or regional government
- in business or consultancies
- for not-for-profits or iwi.
More career information
Find out more about careers in public management.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Public Management
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The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is undertaking research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington on the interactions and relationship between the public and private sectors in the area of policy and management.
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This scholarship is for a Master's research project on the tensions concerning insurability and climate adaptation in Aotearoa New Zealand, ideally with a particular focus on marae-centred communities.
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Public Management
-
The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is undertaking research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington on the interactions and relationship between the public and private sectors in the area of policy and management.
-
This scholarship is for a Master's research project on the tensions concerning insurability and climate adaptation in Aotearoa New Zealand, ideally with a particular focus on marae-centred communities.
-
The scholarship was established through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation as a result of a bequest in his will made by Mr Archie Dunningham, former City Librarian at Dunedin Public Library, for a scholarship to be named in honour of Miss Nora Bateson. Nora Bateson was Director of the New Zealand Library School from 1948-1953.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Why Wellington
Wellington is New Zealand’s hub of public management. Our lecturers actively collaborate with leaders in the public sector, exchanging ideas on key policy and management issues.
Our academic staff have strong research relationships with the Treasury New Zealand and other departments in central and local government.
And we are the only New Zealand university connected to the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). This connection ensures your qualification is recognised for quality and relevance across the public sector.
Research areas
Our academic staff are active across a range of specialist research areas.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.