Master of Public and Social Policy
Contemporary public and social policymaking involves balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders and competing interests. Being able to recognise and account for diverse viewpoints and understand both the opportunities and challenges inherent in policymaking – and the research that informs it – will help you make a positive impact on the well-being of others at an individual and community level.
With its dual focus on policy analysis and applied social research, this unique degree will give you a deep understanding of the forces that shape policy and the processes involved in making it. You’ll develop advanced skills in critical analysis to help you design and deliver effective policy solutions that serve the public interest, as well as the confidence to make socially informed judgements in a range of specialist policy areas.
KEY FEATURES
- This degree has an interdisciplinary focus, so you can study diverse disciplines, including politics, sociology and human geography.
- You’ll be equipped with skills that are widely sought after in the government, non-government and private sectors.
- You’ll develop advanced and integrated knowledge of one or more policy domains.
- This degree employs teaching methods designed to meet the diverse interests and learning preferences of students – units are offered in both on-campus and online modes.
- You’ll develop the skills and confidence to utilise and interpret complex research and administrative data to independently develop and evaluate public and social policy.
- You’ll learn skills in both quantitative and qualitative social research, including how to engage with statistical data in an applied manner, conduct surveys and analyse survey data, run focus groups, undertake interviews and apply qualitative data in a range of policy tools.
- You’ll become adept at communicating policy information and social research to diverse audiences.
- You’ll acquire research skills that allow you to engage with and undertake research that addresses the global challenges facing contemporary societies, including sustainable communities, welfare reform, immigration, populism and inequality.
- Macquarie is ranked in the top five in Australia for arts and humanities (Best Global Universities, US News & World Report, 2018) and in the top 100 in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018).
Campus Information
North Ryde
Sydney New South Wales 2109 Australia
Intakes
- Feb
- July
Application Processing Time in Days: 7
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Studying hard and getting great marks doesn’t guarantee you a job. Most employers expect applicants to be skilled and experienced in the workplace. Working while you study is an excellent way to build your employability skills and gain life experience.
Why does it?
Employers appreciate any full-time, casual or part-time experience like working in hospitality or retail, on a reception desk, or even in construction. They value this kind of experience because it shows that you can be responsible and professional. Working while you study builds professional skills that are essential for professional roles:
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Working independently
- Showing initiative
- Communication (verbal and written)
Working on and off-campus
CareerHub is Macquarie’s jobs portal, connecting you with external organizations that offer part-time, casual, full-time employment opportunities as well as internships, cadetships, and volunteer experience.
Finding an on-campus job is often ideal as it centralizes both study and work, but opportunities on-campus are limited. Opportunities can be found here:
- Campus Life manages the university's Sport and Aquatic Centre, Food and Shopping, Children's Services, Event Planning, and more.
- For other administrative, professional, and academic-related opportunities within departments and faculties, visit the university's employment page.
Here is a list of some of our favorite job search websites for opportunities across multiple industries.
PSW Opportunity
2 Years
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Entry requirements for Masters (by Coursework) programs at Macquarie University are set out in Coursefinder.
In general, entry requires a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution considered equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree (Level 7 on the Australian Qualifications Framework). Some courses may require previous study or work experience in a related area, a higher level qualification such as an Honours Bachelor (AQF Level 8), or other additional entry criteria that must be satisfied.
Requirements for entry
Courses may state a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) requirement, which is a reflection of your overall performance in your previous qualification.
The document below provides indicative equivalencies for Macquarie's WAM system against grading schemes used in 28 different countries - this includes the minimum Pass standard considered for entry to programs with no specified WAM:
To apply for a Masters (by Research) or PhD program, you should be able to demonstrate research experience in your previous studies. Please refer to the Higher Degree Research
IELTS Academic
Level of English Overall Reading Writing Listening Speaking For Admission To
Functional 5.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Standard Foundation Program
Vocational 6.0 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 Intensive Program, Undergraduate Certificates, or Diplomas
Competent 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 Most undergraduate or postgraduate courses
Proficient 7.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 Master of Business Administration
Global Master of Business Administration
Graduate Certificate of Business Administration
Graduate Certificate of Editing and Electronic Publishing
Graduate Certificate of Global Business Practice
Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
7.0 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 Bachelor of Clinical Science
Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science
Bachelor of Laws
Juris Doctor
Master of Creative Writing
7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Physiotherapy
Master of Clinical Audiology
Master of Clinical Neuropsychology
Master of Clinical Psychology
Master of Organisational Psychology
Master of Professional Psychology
Master of Speech and Language Pathology
Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood
Advanced 7.5 7.0 7.0 8.0 8.0 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Bachelor of Psychology
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Master of Inclusive and Special Education
Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years)
Master of Teaching (Primary)
Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Graduate Certificate of Inclusive and Special Education
Graduate Diploma of Inclusive and Special Education
- Course Code: 099509G
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 01 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
37500 AUD
Annual Cost of Living: 24505 AUD
Application Fee: N/A
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