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Master of Politics and Policy

Postgraduate coursework

Learn about the development, implementation and politics of public policy. You'll graduate a more socially aware and policy-conscious individual.

Key facts

Duration

The time and cost could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 1.5 years down to 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information.

Locations

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

In the 21st century, the world faces an array of complex political problems including climate change, disease pandemics, ethnic and religious conflict, refugee crises and new forms of populism and authoritarianism. Deakin’s Master of Politics and Policy will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand these complex global challenges and develop policy that will bring about positive social change.

Are you committed to meeting the big challenges of the 21st century and to improving our society for the better?

Deakin’s Master of Politics and Policy is one of the few courses in Australia that combine the two disciplines. In doing so, we unpack the political context in which public policy is developed.

You’ll gain real-world skills that reflect current industry practices, such as how to prepare policy briefing papers and how to develop political communication strategies. You’ll also explore how differing political perspectives shape the dynamics between government, the private sector and community.

The course equips early-to-mid stage career professionals with highly valued skills in leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication. Prepare to graduate a more politically aware, socially conscious and policy driven individual.

You’ll undertake a wide range of study units that cover public policy analysis, development and implementation. The core units you will focus on include:

  • Policy lessons from overseas
  • Challenges to democratic governance
  • Research design.

A highlight of the course is having the freedom to choose your own elective units. This allows you to create a degree built for your interests and career goals. Your elective unit options include:

  • Governing the economy
  • Political competition
  • Intergovernmental relations
  • Political values and public policy
  • Making policy
  • Rethinking democracy
  • Governance and accountability.

We offer flexibility in being a fully online course via our premium online learning platform, making it possible for those living anywhere in Australia or overseas, or those wishing to balance other personal and work commitments, with postgraduate study.

Read More

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Master of Politics and Policy, a student must successfully complete 8 or 12 credit points (depending upon entry point) as follows:

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • 2 credit points of compulsory core units
  • 6 or 10 credit points of study (depending upon entry point) from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways

Core units

  • Policy Lessons From Overseas
  • Challenges to Democracy

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

Plus 3 or 7 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the course electives

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^

Plus 5 or 9 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the course electives

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^

Plus 4 or 8 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the course electives

^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.

Course Electives

  • Making Policy
  • Intergovernmental Relations: Federalism, Power and Multi-Level Governance
  • Governance and Accountability in Turbulent Times
  • Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine?
  • The Politics of Australia's Economy
  • Rethinking Democracy: Past, Present and Future
  • Political Competition: Rules, Actors and Dynamics
  • Research Design
  • Climate Change and Sustainability
  • Australian Foreign Policy
  • Internship A

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) – 8 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
  • completion of a bachelor honours degree in a related discipline
  • completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline

1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • completion of a bachelor degree in any discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
  • completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline

^Recognition of prior learning into the Master of Politics and Policy may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate Postgraduate level studies.

Examples of related discipline areas include, but not limited to Politics, Political Studies, Policy Studies, Government, Politics and International Studies, Political Science, Political Economy, Public Administration, History, Public Policy, International Relations.

Examples of relevant work experience include,but not limited to policy officer, policy analyst, government, parliament, political journalism, council, policy making.

*Recognition of prior learning will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Recognition of prior learning

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning. 

You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Fees and scholarships

Fee information

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Scholarship options

A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

Search or browse through our scholarships

Postgraduate bursary

If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

Apply now

Apply directly to Deakin

Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.

We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.

Need more information on how to apply?

For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.

Research Information

Students will complete a research pathway in 1 of the 3 following options:

  • Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
  • Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
  • Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^.

Careers

Career outcomes

You’ll graduate ready to become involved in politics and policy making within the public, community and business sectors, domestically and internationally.

If you’re already in industry, your acquired skills, knowledge and qualifications will improve your career standing and equip you for senior roles that take a bigger-picture approach to policy-making.

As a graduate of the masters, you will have the expertise and practical skills to confidently enter a role as policy officer, analyst, consultant or adviser in a variety of professional fields, including:

  • local, state and national government
  • political office
  • international relations
  • industry and the private sector
  • stakeholder engagement
  • communication and training

An early exit of this course still awards you the Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy, ensuring you have a solid foundation of knowledge to begin your political and policy-making journey. Completion of the course can be used as a pathway to PhD through research training and a two-credit point research minor thesis.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.