Master of Public Policy (MPP)

The course begins with a two-week immersive induction where students are introduced to the School and its faculty. They will hear more about what they will study during the MPP and have a range of opportunities to get to know each other. 

During Induction and Michaelmas term, you will participate in Policy Challenge I which includes a series of case study discussions and team-building exercises and a rigorous policy exercise. The case studies will set the stage for the ambitions of Blavatnik School graduates by exploring how leading public service figures define, analyse, and address major public policy challenges.   

One of the consistent responses from senior government practitioners is that they want policymakers who are not just skilled across a range of professional competencies, but also have a humane outlook and a moral compass. Foundations challenges you to think deeply to explore your own basic moral and political outlook, and reflect formally on the moral values and goals that do, and should, apply in public policy. You will be introduced to philosophical concepts and ethical dilemmas facing governments around the world.   
 

Public policy leaders frequently interact with professional economists. This course aims to prepare MPP graduates to be critical consumers of economic thinking. You will explore economists’ focus on markets, consider the challenges of financing policy via taxation, focus on design and how to choose between competing project designs, and examine the political obstacles that can hinder implementation, together with solutions suggested by the economic literature on institutions. 

Policymaking is a fundamentally political process. The Politics of Policymaking will help prepare you to be a successful agent for change across diverse institutional contexts by learning how to ‘think politically'. You will consider how actors and institutions shape outcomes in domestic and international politics. Understanding and navigating these dynamics is essential for the advocacy for, design of, and implementation of successful policies. You will learn how to think politically, so as to be able get things done and effect meaningful change in policy and in government. 

Law provides a framework within which public policy is developed, shaped and implemented. In the Law and Public Policy module you will explore the key ideas which underpin how legal systems and international laws work, and how law both constrains and can be used as a tool in the policy process.

How do policymakers know whether their policies meet their intended objectives? Can they improve the way policies are implemented? Given limited government budgets, these questions are increasingly at the heart of public policy. The aim of the Evidence in Public Policy module is to provide you with an understanding of how policymakers gather, assess and use evidence in practice.

Policy Challenge II is an opportunity to bring together all the learnings from the MPP to address contemporary policy dilemmas in a simulation-type setting. It requires you to go beyond determining what theoretically ‘optimal’ policy should look like to developing deliverable policy for the real world. Additionally, you will experience the dynamics of multilateral negotiations, interest group politics, and the interface between domestic and international politics.

To complete the MPP, you will take part in a minimum six-week work placement with an organisation engaged in some aspect of policy work, such as a government department, a policy unit of a private sector organisation, a not-for-profit organisation or a research institute; alternatively you might secure a placement which allows you to reflect on a policy challenge under the advice of an academic at Oxford either as a piece of independent desk-based research or as part of a faculty-led project. You will then write and submit a policy report based on the work conducted during your placement.

You will select two option modules.

The options vary from year to year and will cover a range of contemporary policy issues such as:

• climate change
• cybersecurity
• economic development
• education policy
• energy
• international economic relations of governments
• international relations
• managing public sector organisations
• political leadership
• social policy
• anti-corruption
• taxing business
• war and global security
   

The Applied Policy modules (of which you must choose four) enable you to apply your theoretical learning, build module-specific sets of skills and knowledge, and understand the important fundamental principles involved in decision-making by different groups of stakeholders.

The options available can vary year to year, but previous years have included: 

• crisis leadership and communications
• private finance
• public budgeting
• running election campaigns
• managing international organisations
• behavioural science and decisions making in public

The Professional Skills Programme offers a range of sessions designed to help you acquire, develop and enhance practical and transferable skills necessary for a successful career in public policy. You are encouraged to reflect upon your own professional experiences and to identify skills that you wish to acquire, develop or enhance during your time on the course with support from our one to one coaching and expert guidance.

Official course title

Master of Public Policy

Award

Course code

Full time: TN_PP1

At the Blavatnik School of Government there is a dedicated MPP study area as well as additional study spaces elsewhere in the building, some of which can be pre-booked.

Students also have access to the student common room, in addition to the communal facilities such as the café and the Inamori Forum. The school runs an extensive range of events and brings public policy leaders to the school to inspire and mentor students.

The Blavatnik School does not have its own library because most reading material is made available electronically. However, you will have access to the Social Science Library in addition to other University libraries and centrally-provided electronic resources. The Blavatnik School benefits from its own ICT team, which provides support and advice to students.

Students are expected to bring their own laptop. Students are strongly encouraged and supported to organise their own peer learning and social activities. 

It is recommended that all students meet with their supervisors at least once a term. The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Blavatnik School of Government and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming students to work with a particular member of staff.  Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Blavatnik School of Government.

Your learning will be assessed in a variety of ways, using a combination of written examinations, coursework, and oral or practical assessments such as presentations and debates, as appropriate to the module. 

The MPP prepares you to become a change-maker. The skills you acquire on the course will enable you to find and use evidence effectively, communicate effectively, and make key decisions whether in government, non-governmental organisations or the private sector. You will learn to view uncertainty as opportunity and recognise the benefits of change, as well as recognise and respect the diverse range of perspectives you may encounter and work with.

Alumni of the Blavatnik School of Government are exceptional achievers and change-makers who share a commitment to improving public service. When you join the school, you also join an incredible and lifelong community of peers, and an alumni network spread across the globe. These connections serve as powerful reminders for all of us of our shared commitment to public service and our desire to make a real difference in the world. Our alumni hold senior public sector positions in every global region, and include a UAE minister; elected representatives in Panama, Brazil, Ukraine, Canada and Mongolia; and senior civil servants across the world. Many more work in multilaterals and the third sector, including those who have founded NGOs. More information about the school's alumni can be found on the alumni page of the Blavatnik School of Government's website.

In addition, students can benefit from the Blavatnik School’s professional skills programme and in conversation events with leading public policy and political figures, as well as access one-to-one careers advice at the University's Careers Service, which is very close to the Blavatnik School.

The MPP is a degree for professionals that trains people to hone their skills in policy making and analysis and is not designed to prepare you for research-based courses of study, such as the DPhil in Public Policy.

Successful graduates of this course may also progress to the MSc in Public Policy Research. Applicants are able to apply to both courses as part of the Blavatnik School 1+1 programme.

This course is offered by the Blavatnik School of Government

• Course page on the school's website
• Funding information from the school
• Academic and research staff
• Current students and alumni
• Research at the school
• Social Sciences Division
• Contact details

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2024-25 to 2026-27)

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline. 

Assessors are looking for academically outstanding individuals with the analytical capacity to tackle complex, multi-dimensional issues. Applicants should have an outstanding academic record with exceptionally high academic results throughout, or should show an impressive upward trajectory in performance. This may be further evidenced by scholarships or prizes awarded because of academic abilities/achievements or glowing academic references ranking you at the very top of your peer group.

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, selection of candidates also depends on other factors in your application and most successful applicants have achieved higher GPA scores.

GRE General Test and other standardised test scores

Whilst not required to complete your application, we strongly encourage you to take and submit scores from a standardised test – such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, TARA, or any similar relevant tests you may have taken, such as civil service entry exams. As scores from standardised tests are not essential to complete your application, we do not publish guidelines for the scores applicants should achieve. 

Commitment to public service

In addition to academic and analytical ability, applicants are expected to demonstrate a high level of commitment to public service. You should demonstrate an ethos of public service evident in the trajectory of your chosen career path, whether this be in the public, private or NGO sector, and/or an outstanding record of achievement in volunteering. This ethos and commitment should also go beyond your own life and demonstrate that you are able to show regard for others in the broader community, and recognise why the perspectives of others might differ from your own.

Evidence of leadership and impact

Applicants should also demonstrate an ability to lead and have impact in their chosen field through devising or initiating projects which are innovative in nature and lead to real and lasting change. This does not necessarily need to be shown through traditional leadership positions. You should bear in mind that leadership often requires enabling and empowering others to succeed. Sometimes the highest-impact work is also the quieter work which takes place behind the scenes, facilitating the more visible contributions of others. These qualities of leadership, drive and entrepreneurialism may be demonstrated through voluntary, professional or other activities.

There is no preferred background for the MPP and applications are welcomed from all academic disciplines and professional backgrounds. Prior full-time or part-time professional experience is viewed favourably, because of the ways in which it can develop and enhance commitment to public service and evidence of leadership and impact.

Please note, in considering applicants’ achievements and their suitability for a place on the MPP, the Blavatnik School of Government takes a holistic approach and a range of contextual factors, looking at each applicant’s individual circumstances, will be taken into account.

Further guidance

• There are no age restrictions on the MPP and you are not required to come with prior professional experience. However, the majority of successful candidates often bring at least a year or two of professional experience, if not significantly more.
• The MPP is an applied degree and students will not be taught in-depth research skills. It will not prepare applicants directly for progression to research-based courses such as the DPhil in Public Policy.

Interviews are sometimes held as part of the admissions process.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the school's website.

The following colleges accept students on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Mansfield College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• Somerville College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• The Queen's College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

You do not need to contact the department before you apply. If you have any questions about the course, please consult the Blavatnik School of Government website. If you have any questions that are not answered by the Blavatnik School website, please contact the admissions team via the email address provided on this page under 'Further information'.

Please note that academics at the Blavatnik School are unable to comment on your suitability for the course or offer advice on the admissions process. Please do not contact faculty directly, instead contact the admissions team with any queries you may have. The Blavatnik School will appoint a supervisor in the event that your application is successful.

Use of AI tools in written submissions

The Blavatnik School of Government has embraced the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Here are some extracts from the school's AI Code of Practice that are particularly relevant to applicants:

1. You are responsible for all content you produce using AI and for verifying any AI-generated content you use in your work. You will always be accountable for the veracity and accuracy of work you present to others.
2. You must always disclose when AI has been used to generate the words or thoughts you are sharing with others. We expect that many people will use AI to augment and assist research, analysis and communication. It is good practice to explain how it has been used for these purposes.

Please include, at the end of each written submission, a short statement of any AI use in your application with reference to the school’s AI Code of Practice. This will include the reflective policy essay and the public service essay and, if relevant, the statement of purpose. Please ensure you provide a statement on AI use even if it is to confirm you have not used any AI.

Your statement of purpose must be structured as follows, and answer each of the four questions in individual separate sections:

• What motivates you to apply for the MPP? Why is it critical for your next steps in public service? (maximum 200 words)
• Outline your career plan for the next 5-10 years and explain how your work will serve others and drive positive change (maximum 200 words)
• Describe the most significant and impactful work you have done. What could you have done differently to be more impactful? (maximum 200 words)
• Describe a situation where you had to lead a project and/or a team. What was the outcome and what did you learn from the experience? (maximum 200 words)

In your answers to the above, please be as specific and detailed as possible. Please include each question as the heading to each section. The question itself need not contribute towards the word count.

You may also use your statement of purpose to explain any special circumstances relating to any element of your application that you wish to bring to the attention of the assessors.

At the end, please include a short statement on any AI use in your statement of purpose with reference to the school’s AI Code of Practice, even if it is to confirm you have not used any AI. See the ‘Use of AI tools in written submissions’ section above.

The statement of purpose should be written in English and will be used to assess:

• your commitment to public service
• evidence of proven or potential leadership and impact
• general suitability for the Master of Public Policy.

You must supply a reflective policy essay (max 1,200 words) and a public service essay (max 400 words). Each of these pieces of written work should include a short statement of any AI use with reference to the school’s AI Code of Practice, even if it is to confirm you have not used any AI. See the ‘Use of AI tools in written submissions’ section above.

You are not permitted to submit work which was produced in conjunction with others. You should also appropriately reference your work, using the University’s guidance on referencing.

The word count must be adhered to and listed at the end of the body of written work. The total word count should exclude any footnotes, annotations or bibliography used.

1. Reflective policy essay (maximum 1,200 words)

You are required to submit a reflective policy essay based on the following brief, answering each of the two questions in separate sections:

1. Pick a policy problem that you have personally encountered where the solution to that problem failed. You have 200 words to set this out.
2. Propose an alternative and creative solution to that policy problem. The assessors want to hear what you think and why. You have 1,000 words to analyse and propose this.

At the end, please include a short statement on any AI use in your reflective policy essay with reference to the school’s AI Code of Practice, even if it is to confirm you have not used any AI. See the ‘Use of AI tools in written submissions’ section above.

The assessors will be looking at your problem solving skills, your ability to use evidence in your analysis, and your ability to communicate your ideas clearly. Please include the question as headings to each section. The question itself need not contribute towards the word count.

2. Public service essay (maximum 400 words)

You are also required to submit a short essay relating to public service. The Blavatnik School cares greatly about nurturing people who want to commit fully to public service. This piece of written work should provide example of a situation where you have demonstrated your commitment to public service and how you plan to further this in the future.

At the end, please include a short statement on any AI use in your reflective policy essay with reference to the school’s AI Code of Practice, even if it is to confirm you have not used any AI. See the ‘Use of AI tools in written submissions’ section above.

This written piece will be assessed for evidence of your commitment to public service and your ability to articulate the contribution your work has made and the impact it has had.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)1865 614343