Are you someone who has made direct contributions to your community, country or region? Are you passionate about achieving positive change? Are you ready to take the next step?
The Oxford Master of Public Policy will prepare you for the challenges facing public leaders today. You’ll develop the knowledge, skills and judgement to strengthen your leadership, navigate uncertainty and make a lasting impact.
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is an intensive one-year graduate degree that offers a fully interactive and immersive approach to learning about public policy.
You will study with world-class faculty in classes and seminars and participate in discussions and workshops with supervision from practitioners, academics and those who have worked at the heart of government, drawing lessons from disciplines as diverse as economics, philosophy, political science and law, as well as from the public, private and third sectors.
You will learn how policy is made, implemented and evaluated in governments at local, regional and global levels. You will discover, share and build on successes achieved by policymakers in other countries, from the smallest to the most powerful.
You will sharpen your analytical, decision-making and implementation skills that are needed in governments across the world with the use of case methodology, a system of teaching the School has adapted for public policy using real-world case studies to illustrate complex policy challenges.
No other programme in the world has such an applied focus. It’s not just about learning equations or theories. It’s also about networking, discussing policy challenges, considering perspectives from the private sector, NGOs, politicians and policymakers. If you’re planning to introduce some kind of transformation in your country, this sort of training is important.
One of the real value-adds of the School is its connection with government – all the really senior people who came to speak about how the work of government applies to what we were studying was such a great feature of the programme.
The Blavatnik School is one of only a few global schools of government in the world. Since welcoming our first MPP class in 2012, we have brought together diverse global cohorts, with students from more than 60 countries each year contributing a rich range of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. Our students and alumni tell us this diversity is what makes the MPP at Oxford unique – enriching learning and shaping a global network for impact.
It’s exceeded every one of my wildest expectations to meet the MPP class – I have not encountered any other programme that draws such a diverse crowd of accomplished people.
The friends and colleagues you make at the Blavatnik School open up the world to you. Even years later, we all are strong friends, keeping in touch, chatting about problems and visiting each other’s countries. Of the many great things about an MPP, this is the most enduring and valuable.
Being surrounded by people from different countries, sectors and professional backgrounds reminded me that there is never just one way to approach a public policy challenge. These connections will continue to shape the way I approach public service and help me think more creatively about complex problems.
You will go beyond theory with practical learning that develops the analytical, leadership and decision-making skills needed to lead change. The programmes innovative teaching style allows you to draw on examples from across the globe and dive deep into the minds of real-world policymakers, exercising your judgement and applying academic theory and concepts in practice.
You will complete the MPP with a placement at a policy-focused organisation of your choosing, providing you with a unique opportunity to apply everything you have learned through the year to real life challenges.
alumni
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Our impact is felt every day across the globe as alumni drive positive and lasting change in public policy. They lead innovative projects and policies spanning anti-corruption, human rights, education and climate change – from the youngest Members of Parliament in Panama’s National Assembly and the United Kingdom, to an Assistant Governor at the Central Bank of Malaysia and the Deputy Director General of International Relations at Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation. Our alumni include elected representatives in Brazil, Ukraine, Canada, Ireland, the UK and Mongolia, senior civil servants and high-level government officials around the world.
You too can become part of our diverse and internationally focused community. Through the MPP, you’ll build lifelong relationships with the people you'll collaborate, negotiate and govern alongside throughout your career.
Alumni spotlights
Throughout your time with us, you will interact with international leaders and public sector professionals in a variety of fields who regularly visit the School to share their experiences, engage in debates and discussions, and offer coaching sessions.
Exclusive Dean’s Forums and fireside chats with senior policymakers and global leaders offer unique opportunities for students to engage directly with experienced figures shaping policy and governance.
We want to support you with your public service career, whether you are pivoting between sectors or refreshing skills to move to the next stage in your career. We offer:
- Bespoke one-to-one coaching and expert guidance on your career values and strategy, as well as personalised support applying to jobs and interview preparation
- A programme of practical professional development that compliments your academic learning. Topics include public speaking, policy writing, speculative outreach, leadership lessons from top global practitioners, media skills and more
- Applied Policy Modules offer the opportunity to apply your theoretical learning through intensive, skill-focused options, ranging from running for elected office to managing international organisations
- Access to our professional mentor community of over 50 senior global policy practitioners who donate their time and expertise to support our students on a wide range of issues
We’re looking for individuals with curiosity, leadership potential and a drive to make a difference – people who take initiative, lift others up and turn ideas into action for the public good.
To apply, you’ll typically need:
- A strong academic record
- Evidence of commitment to public service
- Ability to demonstrate leadership and impact
- Most successful candidates have at least 2 years of professional experience and often more
- Proficiency in English
Meet our MPP students and discover the different paths they took to the programme.
We don’t want finances to stand in the way of future policy makers.
In recent years, more than 80% of our MPP students received full or partial scholarships through the School, the University or external partners.
Applications are open between September and December.
Applications open for our 2027 intake
Deadline for applications is 2 December.
Offer letters issued for the MPP
Securing funding for your studies
Deadline to submit your English language test and transcripts
Make accommodation arrangements
Submit your visa application
MPP induction begins
Learn more about the course details, the fees, funding options and how to join our community.
