Master of Public Policy
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Eligible for advanced standing, Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
AU$21,120 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
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Entry score
IELTS 6.5
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Duration
Eligible for advanced standing, Full-time 2 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
AU$27,840 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
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Overview
Make sense of critical issues in society and engage in policy development and implementation practices that help create supportive communities.
You’ll learn how you can contribute to positive policy outcomes and be prepared for leading roles at all levels of government and human services organisations.
This program has been specifically designed for policymakers and managers working in government and community sector organisations.
You’ll develop specialised theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in all facets of public policy.
Taught by leading policy academics and industry professionals, the program reflects the latest debates, issues and approaches to global, national and local policy making and development.
You'll explore and develop frameworks for issues such as:
- evidence-based policy and practice
- global governance
- equity
- public sector reform
Graduates work as policymakers, advocates and managers in human service, government and non-government organisations, and, increasingly, in the private and corporate sectors.
Details
Most of the courses are held in a group workshop format for you to interact with others and benefit from the experience and knowledge of your peers.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including:
- lectures
- case studies
- collaborative group workshops
- presentations
- group discussions
Learning experiences will include seminars led by eminent scholars and development professionals and will extend to opportunities to learn explicit field research and vocational skills from experienced researchers.
All courses are delivered in English.
You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes:
- policy briefs
- research-based essays
- class exercises
- oral presentations.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
You will experience a range of activities designed to expose you to the challenges of working with development professionals. You will be able to undertake internships and field projects, and design, implement and evaluate your own projects as well as simulated activities representing real workplace scenarios.
This is largely a career-oriented program with many students enrolled who are already working in the field, creating opportunities to develop professionally through shared knowledge and networks and find related employment after, or even before, graduating.
RMIT is a world leader in social justice and homelessness research and supports a number of research projects and networks that maintain wider links with local and global communities.
The Centre for Applied Social Research (CASR) undertakes research and promotes public debate on key areas of social change and social policy. The Centre works closely with a range of community organisations, government departments, local governments and the union movement.
The Centre for Urban Research is a thriving interdisciplinary research centre with an emphasis on the intersecting streams of housing and homelessness, urban and regional planning, and sustainability and climate change.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time (with advanced standing)
2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (without advanced standing)
For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.
The Master consists of 192 credit points.
This program is taught primarily through evening classes during the week, with some courses delivered through intensive full-day workshops.
You’ll explore the links between evidence, policy and practice and learn to determine the ways in which contemporary ideas and practices enable, shape and limit public policy reform.
You’ll build essential knowledge in ethics and values in the public and community sectors, with core courses focusing on:
- sociology
- program management and evaluation
- governance
- social and political theory
- policymaking
- economics for policy
You'll select elective courses lead by academic experts from a range of social science streams, including:
- public policy and management
- human services
- urban and regional planning
- environmental management
- international development and global studies
- justice studies
- human rights
- research.
Timetable
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Policy | City Campus |
2 years FT or 4 years PT
(check Articulation & Pathways section for more detail)
|
MC216 | 079593F |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC216
Career
As a graduate, you will be able to make sense of critical issues in society, confidently argue about the nature of policy problems and engage in policy development and implementation practices that contribute to positive policy outcomes.
Graduates work as:
- policymakers
- policy advisors
- managers
- advocates
You’ll be able to work independently and collaboratively in teams as a lifelong learner and reflective practitioner. You will have gained skill sets that are transferable and relevant in a global context. These skills relate to research, policy analysis, professional communication and problem-solving.
Graduates are highly employable in human services organisations, community-based agencies, various levels of government and increasingly in corporate and private enterprise.
Relevant organisations include:
- federal, state and local government
- trade unions
- large community sector organisations (like the Salvation Army, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Victorian Council of Social Service)
- specialist research and policy centres
- other organisations such as the Council to Homeless Persons and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed:
- an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification)
OR - significant work experience or professional practice
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline.
You may also be considered if you have significant work experience or professional practice.
Entry requirements
To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:
- a CV
- a statement that details your experience.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications majoring in politics, sociology or social work you will be eligible for exemptions as follows:
Qualification level |
Exemptions |
Remaining program duration |
Bachelor degree |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Bachelor honours degree |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Graduate certificate |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Graduate diploma |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for exemption of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).
You may be eligible for advanced standing up to a maximum of 2 semesters (equivalent to 96 credits points). Eligibility for advanced standing is based on your previous studies and is assessed on a case by case basis.
Learn more about eligibility for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Fees
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Fees shown above apply to 2018 only and are based on an annual full-time study load of 96 credit points unless otherwise noted. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load. Tuition fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or the Department of Human Services for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2018 is $298.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2018 is AU$27,840.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2018 commencement is AU$57,600.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.