ObjectivesThese are challenging times for the public sector and a new approach to dealing with its resources is required. This programme offers managers the chance to re-examine traditionally held attitudes and skills that do not apply and to tackle issues in a more dynamic and entrepreneurial way. The public sector, which is a major employer in the South West region, is engaged in a process of administrative change and management reform. This calls for competent and confident public managers who have the vision and analytical skills to enhance their organisation"s performance. Public agencies have long been delivering services that have required the development of the technical and administrative skills needed to produce and distribute public services within a specified budget allocation. Such agencies are increasingly being required to adapt to ever-changing external (policy or quasi-market) and internal (organisational) environments, especially the risks and uncertainties associated with contracting out, privatisation, corporatisation, commercialisation and public-private partnerships. The pressures of these managerialist reforms have created a new set of management development needs for public agencies. Managers must now be more entrepreneurial; better able to put in place the organisational and behavioural changes needed to achieve the desired level of public agency performance; and better able to manage scarce physical, financial and/or human resources, so as to improve productivity and service quality. When confronted with these imperatives, public managers are now required to develop a new set of management skills, so that they can effectively operate in a performance-driven setting. Enhanced management acumen is an important means by which both productivity and performance can be increased.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements PgCert: normally a good second-class honours degree or higher. PgDip: satisfactory completion of the M-level CPD in Public Management or the Graduate Certificate. MSc: satisfactory completion of the Graduate Diploma.
Academic titleMSc/PgDip Public Management
Course descriptionProgramme highlights
-Suitable for new graduates and public sector managers
-Complete stand alone awards en-route to your masters
-Chance to replicate realistic situations that combine theory with practice
-Encourages a dynamic and flexible new management approach
Where employer-sponsored applicants are admitted to the programme, negotiations would take place between the employer, the student and the university to agree a learning contract.
General programme structure
Using a blend of theory and practice, our programme will focus on exploring the issues behind the news headlines, which constantly project a negative image of government and public services.
You will build up a sound and thorough bank of knowledge about modern public management systems, theories and technologies, and develop skills which will enable you to apply your knowledge to everyday internal and external organisational operations.
You will be able to practice your developing skills in replications of realistic scenarios. You will gain confidence in applying this new array of skills and competencies and be able to administer changes that will develop good, effective public governance to shape future policy both regionally and nationally.
The masters programme comprises three sections; completion of each will mean that you can qualify for an industry-recognised award. Each award is another step in the progression towards your masters degree.
Detailed programme structure
-The graduate certificate focuses on strategic, human organisation and organisational performance management issues in the public sector.
-The graduate diploma addresses governance and public management issues, policy analysis and research methods, and you will have the chance to apply this knowledge to a specific sector area.
-To complete the MSc, you will need to undertake a major research project in an agreed topic related to public management.