Postgraduate microcredentials in public administration
Now is the time. Activate your future.
Build specialised expertise in public administration
The University of Birmingham’s online short courses in public administration will help you gain the leadership and governance skills you need to shape the future of public service. You’ll engage in hands-on modules led by expert lecturers to apply new knowledge right away in your current role.
Make Birmingham yours
Complete the form below for detailed programme and pricing information and to be contacted by phone and email.
Gain new skills from short courses
Broaden your knowledge in public service with eight-week short courses from a university that’s top-rated in social policy. Complete just one microcredential or take all nine as part of the Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) programme.
Available microcredentials
- Democracy, governance and participation
- Leadership in public services
- Managing in a political environment
- Managing public money
- Partnership and collaboration
- Performance management
- Programme and project management
- Public management and governance in a changing world
- Strategic management
Excellence in distance learning
The University of Birmingham’s online courses encourage students to elevate their ideas and reshape the world. You’ll have the freedom to study whenever and wherever it works best for you while benefitting from world-class instruction delivered by the same lecturers and faculty experts who teach on campus. Enjoy the flexibility of online learning with convenient modules that prioritise immersive activities and lively discussions. Graduate poised to step into your desired role with new knowledge and skills gained from a research-informed, career-centred programme.
Flexible entry criteria
Birmingham values your experience as a dedicated public servant, and our commitment to student success sets the stage for life-changing educational experiences. Entry criteria are detailed below.
Easy to apply
Students who have obtained an upper second-class degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university are eligible for standard academic entry. See the detailed entry requirements below.
| Certificate/transcripts | Student must have obtained (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university OR an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. |
| Additional documentation |
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| Evidence of language (if applicable) | If English is not your first language, you will also need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate. Please see the detailed language criteria listed below. |
Alternative paths to entry
Students seeking non-standard academic entry may pursue the following routes.
- The degree or equivalent qualification must be from a UK university or recognised institution
- You must provide evidence of at least 1-5 years of relevant work experience in the public sector
- You must also submit one reference. Your reference can be either be uploaded to your application by your referee or email directly to your Student Recruitment Coordinator
- Optional: Submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
- The degree or equivalent qualification must be from a UK university or recognised institution
- The student must provide evidence of at least 5-7 years of relevant senior experience in the public sector
- You must also submit one reference. Your reference can be either be uploaded to your application by your referee or email directly to your Student Recruitment Coordinator
- Optional: Submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
- Without a degree, the student must provide evidence of 8+ years of senior work experience in the public sector
- You must also submit one reference. Your reference can be either be uploaded to your application by your referee or email directly to your Student Recruitment Coordinator
- Optional: Submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
Earn an internationally recognized microcredential
At Birmingham University, we’re shaping the future of industries through pioneering research and world-class degree programmes that prepare graduates to better serve the global community. We pride ourselves in welcoming and supporting international students – as of 2023, 62% of our online public administration students are international and reside in 70 different nations outside the UK.
If English is not your first language, you will need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate. See the details below.
- Academic IELTS certificates with a score of 6.5, and no less than 6.0 in any band
- TOEFL with a score of 88, and no less than 21 in ‘Reading’, 20 in ‘Listening’, 22 in ‘Speaking’, and 21 in ‘Writing’
- Pearson PTE with a score of 67 and no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge Advanced English with a minimum overall score of 176 and no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT B2 ‘Communicator’ test certificate with a minimum score of 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE III with a ‘Pass’ in each skill
- HKDSE with a minimum score of 4 overall, to include three bands at grade 4 and one band at grade 3
- India Standard XII with a minimum pass of 80% in ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% in West Bengal, or 85% in other state boards
You may not need to provide evidence of your English language abilities if:
- You’re from a specified majority English-speaking country
- You’ve completed a degree in English in a specified country within two years of your intended start date
If nationals from the following countries have a degree or GCSE English grade 4/C equivalent taken, then they do not need to provide a test and there is no validity period for their degree or GCSE equivalent.
Nationals of other countries can be exempt if they hold a degree from one of the below countries within the last two academic years:
- Australia
- Belize
- Botswana
- British Overseas Territories
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Antarctic Territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (and Dependencies)
- South Georgia
- South Sandwich Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn
- Henderson
- Ducie and Oeno Islands
- Saint Helena (and Dependencies)
- Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Brunei
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guyana
- Republic of Ireland
- Kenya
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- United Kingdom
- United States
- West Indies
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Transparent tuition costs
The estimated total cost of a single short course is £1,405 GBP, and payments should be made in full. Programme fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year. The fees listed above are for academic year 2024-25.
Effect real change in your community
Completing a short course in public administration at Birmingham means investing in the expertise you need to better serve the public and take your career to the next level. In convenient online modules, you’ll develop new skills in leadership, governance and performance management and complete your microcredential ready to confidently take the next step in your career. Public administration students pursue positions such as policy and performance lead, QA officer, finance secretary and regional security officer, among others.
“Studying online has many advantages which include being able to study from the comfort of my own home, at times of my own choosing, with all the appropriate readings for each lesson available online. I also have the opportunity to get to interact with fellow ‘classmates’ via discussion forums and online webinars.”
– Sharon Clayton, Online graduate
Earn a highly recognised credential
Gain global insights, develop big-picture thinking and emerge with an impressive credential for success in the workplace. Employers are keen to hire our graduates, trusting in their preparedness, advanced postgraduate knowledge, and the fact that we have eight Nobel Laureates and two prime ministers among our alumni.
Ranked 80th in the world (QS 2025)
Ranked 93rd in the world (THE 2025)
Ranked 14th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2024)
Ranked 35th most internationally diverse university in the world (THE 2024)
Russell Group Member
Universitas 21 member