Fast-track your career in policy
Designed for public sector professionals, the Master of Public Policy (MPP) prepares you to develop policies with real-world impact at local, national, and international levels.
You’ll build the skills to deliver high-quality policy advice, grounded in public purpose and integrity, with a practical understanding of policy design, analysis, and implementation.
Through our strong government connections, you’ll learn directly from policymakers and advisers shaping both strategy and day-to-day decisions.
Explore the Master of Public Policy
See what the MPP offers, and how it could shape your career in policy.
Who can study for this qualification
The Master of Public Policy is designed for current and future public sector professionals who want to improve the quality of strategic and operational policy in government.
To get into the MPP, 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
You’ll gain insight into how government works, and you’ll develop the skills to design, evaluate, and implement strategic and operational policies.
You’ll learn how to help decision-makers get the best outcomes in environmental, economic, and social areas.
The Master of Public Policy builds advanced expertise and strong analytical skills for career progression and leadership in the policy field.
Specialisations
Depending on the availability of courses, you may be able to get an optional specialisation in a subject like Public Management or Health and Wellbeing. Most people choose not to do a specialisation, so they can have more flexibility in their choice of elective courses.
Ask our advisers if you would like more information about specialisations.
Email: ppo@vuw.ac.nz
How you’ll study
While some parts of the programme may be available online, the MPP is primarily designed around in-person participation. Most of the courses are taught in three to five blocks per trimester.
You can start the MPP in any trimester, but we strongly recommend starting in Trimester 1 if you want to complete it within four trimesters.
The MPP includes six core courses (including a capstone course) and three to five elective courses.
Core courses
In the core courses, you’ll gain the skills and capability to design, implement, and evaluate policy for a range of different outcomes.
In the Policy Capstone course, which is spread over two trimesters, you’ll apply what you’ve learnt to a current policy challenge.
Elective courses
In your electives, you can choose from a selection of courses covering a wide range of areas. You can focus on what interests you and supports your career goals.
If you’re working while you study, you can immediately apply your new policy expertise in your own workplace. You can even choose to do a Work-based Project as one of your electives.
Diploma and Certificate programmes
Depending on your goals, you can opt for a shorter postgraduate Public Policy qualification by doing the 60-point Postgraduate Certificate or 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy.
The Certificate develops essential skills and core knowledge in public policy. 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 MPP 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 MPP
2. (a) (i) Except as provided in (b) or section 4, the course of study for the MPP shall consist of courses worth at least 180 points, comprising:
Part 1: Government and Governing (GOVT 501), An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy (GOVT 505), Economics and Policy (GOVT 521), Policy Analysis and Advising (GOVT 522), Policy Methods and Practice (GOVT 523), Policy Capstone (GOVT 525)
Part 2: 75 further points from the Schedule to the MPP 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.
(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) 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
Skilled policy-makers are in demand—both in government and elsewhere—due to their technical and creative skills and commitment to solving society’s challenges.
You might take on a leadership role in policy development or implementation in:
- central, local, or regional government
- a Crown entity or a not-for-profit organisation
- a private consultancy or corporation that provides policy advice to agencies.
More career information
Find out more about careers in public policy.
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 business and government
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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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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
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The L G Peacocke Scholarship is designed to support students intending to embark upon an Honours degree or a Masters degree in the disciplines of Politics, International Relations, Strategic Studies, Public Policy, or Economics.
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 business and government
-
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.
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 at the heart of public policy making. Government ministers and public service leaders regularly come to our campus to speak and discuss key topics with students.
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.