Master of Public Administration - Human Resources

The MPA Masters in Public Administration (Human Resources) is aimed at those who aspire to a career in public management in government, public agencies or non-governmental organisations working with government, whether at local, regional, national or international levels, worldwide.

The MPA is an international masters programme which will encourage students to consider and analyse how a changing global environment has shaped the ways in which work is organised and managed and how ideas about leadership and management may be applied in response to different problems and challenges.

The Human Resources MPA pathway is designed for those who are interested in human resource management and development in the public, state or NGO sectors in developing, transitional or newly-industrialised countries. This is primarily a public sector management, not a business management, programme, although the themes covered are relevant to both sectors. 

On this pathway, students will explore current and recent trends in public administration and human resources, focusing on relationship between hard and soft approaches to the analysis and practice of management. For example, between human resources management and human resource development. Students will also examine the interaction between organisational structure, culture, power and motivation in public administration and in international organisations. 

The degree uses a diagnostic case study approach in its core modules, with an emphasis on practical, theoretically-informed discussion and strategy development. Students may choose any relevent subject for their dissertation, with the final topic agreed between them and their assigned supervisor.