Are you fascinated by the role government and public organizations play in tackling the grand challenges our society faces today? Are you looking for an opportunity to fuse an academic grounding in public policy, governance and management with 21^st-century skills and leading-edge expertise in a specific domain, such as healthcare, the environment, or Industry 4.0? If so, the Master’s programme Public Administration (PA) at the University of Twente is the right choice for you.

Fusing public administration with leading cross-disciplinary research in exciting societal domains

This one-year, English-taught Master’s programme offers you the chance to develop outstanding expertise in public administration and to combine that with cross-disciplinary research in a societal domain you are excited about. You can tap into research in which our scientists are among the world’s best, such as Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, Engineering our Digital Society, Technology for Personalized Healthcare, or Regional Policy in the Netherlands (our only Dutch-taught profile). Your ability to fuse the latest science and technology with your public administration research and designs will give you the best preparation you can get for an impacting and meaningful career.

Are you a Public Leader, a Public Manager or a Public Advisor?

The programme is designed to equip you for tackling today’s most pressing political and administrative challenges in one of three key roles:

Public Leader – for example, politicians or CEOs;
Public Manager – for example, senior officials with ministerial departments, public managers;
Public Advisor – for example, civil servants, policy makers, consultants, researchers.

Check the programme structure of the Public Administration Master.

5 DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THIS PROGRAMME

There are many different Public Administration Master’s programmes available around the world. Ours is different. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. Learn to merge public administration with cross-disciplinary research in key application areas

Many programmes can take you further in Public Administration, but in ours you will also develop expertise in the profile of your choice. In a world in which public administration knowledge itself is not enough, this feature will give you a strong starting position on the job market. It will also give you a broad view and prepare you for engaging effectively with the many different disciplines and domains that typically come together in today’s societal challenges.

2. Develop your own personal profile in the (research) domain of your choice

Unlike most other PA Master’s programmes, ours offers you a lot of room for your personal profile. Many students choose our programme for this reason. We offer a broad scope of choices. You can team up with some of our best scientists, for example, in public safety, communication, civil engineering, sustainability, innovation of governance or higher education. Your particular blend of Public Administration with other sciences and societal domains will be unique to you.

3. Study at a university acclaimed for its research, entrepreneurship and societal impact

The UT is one of the best imaginable universities for launching a career in Public Administration. In 2017 we were acclaimed as the most entrepreneurial university (for the third consecutive year), the best university of technology and the university with the highest societal impact in the Netherlands – a country already renowned internationally for its high-level academic programmes and its out-of-the-box education.

4. Combining academic rigour and practical relevance

At the University of Twente you are not simply immersed in theory, you also learn how to apply it to real-world challenges. Many of the courses involve working on existing policy issues and designing solutions for actual problems in today’s world. We will challenge you to get in step with the latest knowledge as well as to roll up your sleeves and prepare yourself for the realities of the complex and exciting field you aim to work in.

5. Benefit from professional and personal growth

A relatively small Master’s programme with a low student-teacher ratio, we offer an informal atmosphere in combination with a strong commitment and educational methods geared to your professional as well as your personal growth. The UT’s unique High Tech Human Touch philosophy provides you with the perfect platform for developing your 21^st-century skills, such as creativity and innovation, communication, collaboration, adaptability, self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, leadership and responsibility.

Programme overview

Degree
Master’s degree in Public Administration
Certification: MSc
Duration
1 year
Full-time/part-time
Full-time (no part-time programs possible)
Language
English taught
Starting date
1 September 2019
1 February 2020
1 September 2020
1 February 2021
1 September 2021
1 February 2022
Location
Drienerlolaan 5
7522 NB Enschede
The Netherlands
Numerus fixus
Does not apply for the programme
Accreditation
NVAO, EAPAA
Apply

Related programmes

Below you find a list of educational programmes which are (closely) related to Public Administration.

Business Studies and Public Policy

Business Administration

Do you want to devise solutions to complex and global business problems? We will teach you how to apply scientific methods in practice and equip you for a successful career in the business world.

Civil Engineering and Management

If you are eager to focus on both the technical and non-technical aspects of civil engineering projects and systems, then the Master’s in Civil Engineering and Management is the programme for you.

Communication Studies

This one-year, English-taught Master’s degree will make become a highly valued communication specialist, equipped to help people and organizations navigate technological advances and societal shifts.

Construction Management and Engineering

Complex, innovative and multidisciplinary projects in a dynamic environment require a new breed of engineers who are able to expertly combine engineering knowledge with management skills.

Educational Science and Technology

The Master of Science (MSc) programme in Educational Science and Technology is for anyone fascinated by education and training, yet not intending to become a teacher.

Environmental and Energy Management

The one-year, English-taught Environmental & Energy Management Master’s will equip you to lead, manage and govern socio-technological change processes related to energy, water and the environment.

European Studies

Managing Europe is a complex challenge. The Master’s in European Studies gives you the expertise to operate in this fascinating environment where various levels of government come together.

Health Sciences

The programme focusses on the use of technology and innovation for improving healthcare.

Industrial Engineering and Management

This 2-year, English-taught Master’s – with tracks in Finance, Healthcare and Production/Logistics – will equip you to design, manage and optimize processes in complex, globally active organizations.

Science Education and Communication

During this two-year, Dutch-taught Master’s programme you learn to creatively use your passion for mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science or design to help students, schools and society.

Social Sciences

Business Administration

Do you want to devise solutions to complex and global business problems? We will teach you how to apply scientific methods in practice and equip you for a successful career in the business world.

Communication Studies

Educational Science and Technology

The Master of Science (MSc) programme in Educational Science and Technology is for anyone fascinated by education and training, yet not intending to become a teacher.

European Studies

Managing Europe is a complex challenge. The Master’s in European Studies gives you the expertise to operate in this fascinating environment where various levels of government come together.

Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society

Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society is the premier Master's programme for learning how to critically analyse and assess the impact of scientific and technological developments on society.

Psychology

What makes people act the way they do? And how can we use psychological expertise to solve real-life problems? You will tackle these questions and more in the Master’s programme in Psychology.

Science Education and Communication

During this two-year, Dutch-taught Master’s programme you learn to creatively use your passion for mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science or design to help students, schools and society.

Social Sciences and Humanities Education

On completing this one or two-year Master’s programme you will be a humanities and social sciences teacher or a well-rounded educational manager with a firm grasp of technology’s impact on society.

Teaching Social Sciences and Humanities in Secondary Education

Behavioural, Management & Social Sciences

All Master's programmes

Master's programme public administration

Fusing public administration with leading cross-disciplinary research in exciting societal domains

Are you a Public Leader, a Public Manager or a Public Advisor?

5 DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THIS PROGRAMME

Programme overview

Related programmes