Studying Public Policy and Public Administration Across Asia

MPP and MPA — professional policy degrees

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) are professional postgraduate degrees that train people to analyse problems, design and evaluate programmes, and manage organisations in the public and non-profit sectors. They are practical and applied, blending economics, quantitative methods, management and policy analysis.

This guide describes these academic and professional programmes and how to enter them. In line with a strict neutrality standard, it makes no comment on any government's policies or decisions — it is about the degrees, not politics.

How they differ from IR and economics

An MPP or MPA overlaps with international relations and economics but is distinct. Where political science and IR study political systems and international interaction academically, and economics trains you deeply in economic theory and data, an MPP/MPA is a professional degree focused on the craft of policy and public management — using tools from both fields to get things done.

MPP programmes often lean toward analysis and evaluation, while MPA programmes often lean toward management and administration, though the two overlap heavily. Read each programme's core curriculum to see where it sits.

• IR / political science: academic study of politics and international relations
• Economics: deep training in economic theory and data
• MPP: policy analysis, design and evaluation
• MPA: public management and administration

Where they are offered and in English

Dedicated policy schools and departments across the region offer MPP and MPA degrees, including institutions in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and elsewhere, and many run their programmes in English to attract an international cohort.

Programme names, specialisations and language of instruction vary and change, so confirm the current offering on each school's official page. Some schools also offer executive or mid-career versions designed for working professionals.

Entry requirements

Admission usually expects a completed bachelor's degree, a statement of purpose, references, and proof of English such as IELTS or TOEFL. Many programmes value or require relevant work experience, and some ask for the GRE — check each programme, as requirements differ.

Mid-career and executive tracks typically expect more substantial professional experience. Fees, scholarships, cut-offs and deadlines vary by school and change over time, so verify every figure on the official admissions page rather than assuming.

Scholarships and funding

Some policy schools and external bodies offer scholarships or fellowships for MPP/MPA students, and terms differ widely by programme and year. Amounts, eligibility and deadlines are set by the awarding body and change, so always read the official scholarship page.

Be cautious with any third party that promises funding or admission in exchange for a fee — legitimate scholarships are awarded on published, secular criteria by the official body, and no one can guarantee an award.