Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
The Master of Public Policy gives you in-depth knowledge in political, cultural and social theory approaches to public policy and solid understanding of evidence-based policy development and evaluation imbedded within practical research theories and methodologies.
Challenge yourself by taking on Masters' level study and gain transferrable skills to advance your career.
The course is designed to uniquely focus on northern Australia and its relation to South-East Asia.
You'll explore policy issues in remote contexts, the significance of First Nations peoples and cultures, and the regions proximity to South-East Asia.
Streams include:
- Education
- Environment and livelihoods
- Health and social policy
- Indigenous contexts
- Public management and governance
- Secure and safe communities
The 2 year (full-time) or 4 year (part-time) course, can be studied 100% online or on-campus and culminates in a research project that explores issues of research in policy related fields.
Whilst the structure is mostly prescriptive, there is scope within the course to conceptualise new thinking in an important public policy research project of your choice.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss your ideas and to tailor a course to suit. During course engagement you will receive one-on-one supervision and support from university research, public policy researchers, policy developers and evaluators, and teaching staff.
Career opportunities
Graduating with a Master of Public Policy may lead to career opportunities in government and private companies as a policy researcher, advisor, analyst or writer.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $34,248.00. This equates to $ $4,281.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study humanities and social sciences at CDU?
Interested in world events and where we're heading? Study humanities and social cciences at CDU to dive into global issues like social and political change. You'll develop the critical thinking skills, analytical abilities and creativity to understand society's biggest issues and how to address them.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Unique focus on Indigenous and Asia Pacific perspectives
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study humanities and social sciences at CDU?
Interested in world events and where we're heading? Study humanities and social cciences at CDU to dive into global issues like social and political change. You'll develop the critical thinking skills, analytical abilities and creativity to understand society's biggest issues and how to address them.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Unique focus on Indigenous and Asia Pacific perspectives
What will I study?
The course comprises of a total of 160 credit points, involving completion of four (4) core units that provide a background and context to the study. Students then select between two (2) to eight (8) units from a variety of specialist streams relevant to their field of employment and/or interest allowing you to tailor your studies to your context by drawing in units from other fields of study including relevant policy units from other tertiary institutions.
Course structure
The final 40 credit points of research project units are developed and designed in collaboration with your supervisor.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (4 units) | 40cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below. IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics |
| Research Units (2 units) | 40cp | Compulsory Research Project units totalling 40 credit points. MPP610 Public Policy Research Project (20cp) (repeatable) |
| Specialist Electives (2-8 units) | 40-80cp | Units totalling minimum 20 credit points selected from the list of available Research Methodologies units detailed below. Research Methodologies EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education Units totalling up to 60 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed above or from the list below. Education EMG502 Philosophies and Ethics Environment and Livelihoods ENG519 Sustainability Health and Social Policy PHM516 Indigenous Health Indigenous Contexts ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods Public Management and Governance BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise Secure and Safe Communities DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context |
| Electives (0-4 units) | 0-40cp | Units totalling up to 40 credit points may be selected from postgraduate units offered by the University. Students may select units from any of the approved specialisations (as above) as electives or by cross institutional enrolment that is approved by the course coordinator. |
| 160cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | R = Research | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics | CO | MPP506 Public Policy Practice | CO |
| MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts | CO | Specialist Elective - Research Methodology | SE |
| Specialist Elective - Research Methodology | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| MPP507 Evidence and Policy Evaluation | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| MPP610 Public Policy Research Project (20cp) | R | MPP611 Public Policy Research Project (20cp) | R |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | R = Research | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| MPP506 Public Policy Practice | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective - Research Methodology | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective - Research Methodology | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| MPP507 Evidence and Policy Evaluation | CO | MPP610 Public Policy Research Project (20cp) | R |
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| MPP611 Public Policy Research Project (20cp) | R | ||
____________________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SUMMER SEMESTER
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
| Calendar Year 2 | |||||
| IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics | CO | MPP506 Public Policy Practice | CO | ||
| MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts | CO | Specialist Elective - Research Methodology | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective - Research Methodology | SE | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Calendar Year 3 | |||||
| MPP507 Evidence and Policy Evaluation | CO | MPP611 Public Policy Research Project (20cp) | R | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
| MPP610 Public Policy Research Project (20cp) | R | ||||
Specialist Elective units available in Summer Semester
Public Management and Governance stream:
Environment and Livelihoods stream:
- ENG519 Sustainability (I & E)
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.
Applicants who don't meet the entry requirements, are advised to contact the course coordinator in the Faculty of Arts and Society by email to fas@cdu.edu.au for further advice.
International entry pathway
International PathwayApplicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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