Public Affairs MPA – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
| Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
|---|---|---|
| MPA | UCAS: L430 | 4 years View KIS data set |
| MPA | UCAS: L431 | 5 years with professional training View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
| Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
|---|---|---|
| MPA | L430 | S85 |
| MPA with professional training | L431 | S85 |
Why choose this course
The international political landscape has undergone remarkable changes in the past fifty years. Politics continues to affect life in every area of society, and it is only through study that we can begin to make sense of the global political landscape and create real change.
Our Department of Politics is home to a lively community of energetic minds who closely examine how power operates and how it affects people’s lives. Our new and innovative MPA Public Affairs course is unique in the UK. We focus on the active role that citizens can play in shaping politics at local, national, and international levels.
We are ranked top ten in the UK for politics in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
What you will study
Our unique integrated masters course will give you in-depth knowledge of political science, public policy and international affairs. A distinctive feature of the course is the focus on application, and our emphasis on political and social change.
Over the four or five years of the course (depending on whether you choose to take a Professional Training placement) you’ll explore a variety of social and political issues. You can tailor your degree with specialist modules that match your interests. In your final year, you’ll study masters-level modules and complete a dissertation project.
Your masters-level modules will cover topics such as:
- International politics and public affairs
- Leadership
- Negotiating and lobbying
- Political communication
- Campaigning and global governance international public administration.
Politics research seminars
The Department of Politics sponsors a regular research seminar series, which meets every two weeks during term-time and brings together academic staff and postgraduate and undergraduate students from the University.
The purpose of the research seminars is to provide a forum for the presentation of cutting-edge research papers and to increase awareness among our students about developments in diverse themes of research in the field today.
We regularly invite high-profile UK and international scholars to present their work, and we encourage discussions with the audience. All members of the University and wider public community are welcome to participate.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Recent graduates from the Department of Politics have secured roles such as:
- Outreach Manager, House of Commons
- Funding Manager, Latsis Organisation
- Researcher, Department for Exiting the European Union
- Press Officer, People’s Vote UK
- Graduate Intern, Deutsche Bank
- Commercial Real Estate Manager, Wells Fargo
- Market Research Manager, GfK
- Business Development Executive, Screenpages Ltd
- Researcher, Westminster Forum Projects
- Graduate Intern, Ipsos MORI
- Corporate Finance Advisor, Department for Transport
- Bid Analyst, Serco Ltd.
After you graduate from this course, you can expect to enter inter-governmental roles across the globe, due to the international appeal of the MPA.
This course is also designed to stimulate your interest in research, so you might find yourself considering taking on a PhD after your MPA in your areas of interest to become an academic scholar in your own right.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the Department of Politics.
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
Optional modules for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 2 modules from the listed optional modules.
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose six options of the optional modules available.
Optional modules for Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
Students must choose four options out of the modules available.
Optional modules for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Optional modules for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 2 modules from the listed optional modules.
Optional modules for Professional Training Year (PTY) - Professional Training Year
Students must choose one of the above three modules.
Optional modules for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose six options of the optional modules available.
Optional modules for Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
Students must choose four options out of the modules available.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
Our commitment to research-led teaching encourages our staff to innovate and become leaders in developing new teaching methods. This approach has been recognised by a number of awards and fellowships.
We actively use social media as a tool for teaching and learning, and strive to apply effective teaching methods through interactive learning, direct observation and simulation games.
Our research-led teaching is supported by the expertise of our two centres of research excellence in politics, the Centre for International Intervention (CII) and the Centre for Britain and Europe (CBE). The CII critically analyses and scrutinises the interventions used in international relations today, while CBE researches how governance, institutions and processes shape the European political landscape.
You’ll have ample opportunity to engage in the research process, completing your own assignments and getting involved in the Department of Politics’ research. This will not only ignite your passion for research, but also enhance your understanding of issues surrounding validity, rigour and systematic analysis.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
Other international qualifications
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2023
MPA
- UK
- £9,250
- Overseas
- £18,400
MPA (with professional training year)
- UK
- £9,250
- Overseas
- £18,400
- Professional training
- £1,850
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Professional Training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
See the information about 2023/24 academic year Professional Training placement fees.
Additional costs
There are no associated costs with this course.
Optional expenses
Final-year students may wish to participate in an optional trip to the Houses of Parliament or simulation exercises as part of certain modules – £30 approximately.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
Placements
Our award-winning Professional Training programme offers you the option to spend a career-enhancing year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. We have thousands of placement providers to choose from or you can source your own placement.
Most placements are paid, and we will support you every step of the way.
Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices.
Public affairs placements
You can either take a work placement related to public affairs, study public affairs overseas, or do a combination of the two.
The aim of our Professional Training placement is to provide you with first-hand experience of how politics operates in practice. Our students have completed placements in the voluntary sector, government departments, MPs’ offices, international organisations and the private sector.
Current placement providers for the Department of Politics include:
- Asset Management One
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- House of Commons
- European Chamber of Commerce
- British Embassy
- Metropolitan Police
- British Airways
- Unilever
- The Walt Disney Company
- BMW Group
- Virgin Media
- Eli Lilly UK.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University, however we offer support and guidance throughout the process alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. We also provide support if you wish to source your own placement.
Find out more about the application process.
Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Placement location
As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement which would require attendance off campus, depending on where you secure your placement.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH