You are eligible for admission to the master Public Administration if you have obtained:

1) A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Management, Public Economics or a similar programme closely related to Public Administration from a research university (Dutch: WO) and can show competence in the methodology of social science research as evidenced by prior course work.

or

2) A bachelor’s degree from a research university (Dutch: WO) in another field, provided that you have completed the minor Public Administration: Multi-Level Governance or the minor Bestuurskunde: Openbaar Bestuur, Beleid en Management at Leiden University, and can show competence in the methodology of social science research as evidenced by prior course work.

If you have a bachelor’s degree from a research university (Dutch: WO) in another field (for example Cultural Anthropology, Pedagogical Sciences, Law, and Public Health), or if you have a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences (Dutch: HBO) in a relevant field, such as Public Administration or European Studies, you may be admitted to the pre-master’s programme. After successfully completing the Pre-Master’s Programme, you will be eligible for admission to the Public Administration master.

Yes, if you have graduated from a bachelor’s programme that does not meet the admission requirements, you can still apply for the Pre-Master’s Programme. If you meet certain requirements, you can be admitted to the Pre-Master’s Programme. These requirements include having at least 25 ECTS in public administration courses and a GPA of 7.0 (out of 10). Once admitted and after successfully passing the requirements, you will be eligible for the master’s programme in Public Administration.

The Pre-Master’s Programme is offered twice per academic year: in block 2 (end of October - January) and block 4 (end of March - June). The Pre-Master’s Programme is taught entirely in English and primarily provides access to the Master of Public Administration programme. There is also a Dutch Pre-Master’s Programme available, which grants access to various Dutch master’s programmes.

To prepare you well for the Master of Public Administration master’s programme, the Pre-master’s programme is an intensive and full-time study. Even though the pre-master lasts for one block and contains 15 ECTS, it is challenging to combine with other studies, internships, or work. Therefore, we advise you to postpone any extracurricular activities to dedicate a full 40 hours a week to the programme.

You will follow three courses that will serve as a foundation for the master’s programme in Public Administration and equip you with the necessary skills and tools to succeed:

• Research in Public Administration (5 ECTS)
• Public Policy (5 ECTS)
• Public Management and Organisations (5 ECTS)

You must be proficient in English if you want to be admitted to the master Public Administration

English Proficiency for cohort 2024 – 2025:

Intake September 2024 , Intake February 2025 , 

• IELTS 6.5TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5TOEFL 90, 
• IELTS: Where each separate constituent score must be at least 6.0
• TOEFL: Where each separate constituent score must be at least 20.

Exemptions

• You do not have to provide proof of English proficiency if you have:
• an International Baccalaureate diploma (or other with English A);
• a diploma of secondary or higher education completed in the US, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada (with the exception of French-taught education in Canada);
• a pre-university education (VWO) diploma;
• a diploma of a Bachelor programme completed at a Dutch research university or a Dutch university of applied sciences.

Yes, there are various scholarships available for students at Leiden University. These scholarships can help support your studies financially and are offered based on different criteria such as academic merit, nationality, and specific programme enrolment.

For detailed information on the scholarships that you may be eligible for, including application procedures and deadlines, please visit the Leiden University Scholarships page. This page provides comprehensive information about the scholarships offered, including the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) for outstanding non-EEA/EFTA students.

Yes, the Master of Public Administration is a programme taught completely in English, and your final thesis project must also be written in English.

If you prefer to follow a master’s programme in Dutch, you can apply for the programme Management van de Publieke Sector, which provides a solid foundation in scientific knowledge and skills from public administration, offering insights into current issues and cases from Dutch administrative practice. This programme offers two specialisations:

• Politiek, Beleid en Management (daytime programme)
• Bestuur en Advisering (evening programme)

Unfortunately it is not possible to follow this programme online.

We value on-campus teaching in order to stimulate learning and build a community between students and staff. Therefore, physical presence is required for all courses.

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The course content remains consistent regardless of whether you commence the programme in September or February. However, there are disparities in scheduling and elective offerings.

The sequencing of courses varies between the two start dates, resulting in differing orders of study.

Furthermore, students commencing in September generally enjoy a broader selection of elective courses compared to those starting in February.

When writing your thesis, you are expected to design your own research project, conduct independent research, and to write a lengthy document up to twenty thousand words that reports your main findings.

This is a rigorous process and requires organisation and planning. But don’t worry, you are not alone in this process! You will work on your individual thesis project in a small group of students who are in the same ‘capstone’ as you, meaning you write on the same overarching topic.

Your capstone will be supervised by an experienced lecturer, who will guide you throughout the research process, provide you with feedback, and offer constructive criticism. But remember, writing your thesis is an independent project and a necessary milestone to graduate.

The Economics and Governance specialisation uniquely examines the interplay between economic principles and governance structures, making it distinct from other specialisations within the Master of Public Administration programme.

While the Public Leadership specialisation focuses on leadership skills and management strategies within public organisations, and the International and European Administration specialisation concentrates on the complexities of governance at international and regional levels, Economics and Governance delves into how economic theories and policies inform and shape governance mechanisms.

This specialisation emphasises the importance of understanding economic factors in decision-making processes and policy formulation. It explores topics such as the impact of economic policies on social welfare, the role of markets in public governance, and the effectiveness of economic regulation in achieving public objectives.

Students in the Economics and Governance track will engage in critical analyses of contemporary issues such as public finance, economic development, and the regulatory environment, equipping them with the skills to devise innovative solutions to societal challenges. By integrating economic analysis with governance theory, this specialisation prepares students to effectively address complex problems in both public and private sectors.

A background in economics is not mandatory for admission to the programme, but it can certainly be an asset. The master’s in Public Administration is structured to welcome students from a variety of academic backgrounds, fostering a rich and diverse learning experience.

While some familiarity with economic concepts can help you grasp certain topics more easily, what’s most important is your enthusiasm for studying economic issues and your commitment to engaging with the material. If you are curious and willing to learn, you will thrive in the programme regardless of your previous experience in economics.

The Economics and Governance specialisation within the master’s in Public Administration includes some statistics coursework. One entire course is dedicated to statistics and methodologies: Research Methods, Applied Empirical Economics.

However, due to the programme's interdisciplinary nature, the overall amount of statistics coursework is moderate.

Graduates from the Economics and Governance specialisation enjoy a wide range of career opportunities in both public administration and the private sector. Many pursue roles as policy analysts, evaluating economic policies to inform government decision-making, or as economic consultants, advising organisations on regulatory compliance and economic strategies.

Others may serve as government advisors, providing research-driven recommendations to enhance public programmes, or as public administration managers, overseeing the implementation of policies within public organisations.

Graduates can also work as municipal administrators, managing local government functions, or as public affairs managers, fostering relationships between organisations and government entities. Strategic planning roles are available as well, focusing on economic development and policy implementation.

Career options span various sectors, including government agencies, international organisations such as the United Nations, consultancy firms, research institutes, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

With a strong understanding of the interplay between economics and governance, graduates are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of public administration and effect meaningful change across sectors.

Courses and contact hours are typically structured with lectures and seminar sessions. Students typically enrol in around three courses per seven-week period. During lectures, students receive theoretical instruction covering the core concepts and principles of the subject matter.

In seminars, students engage in practical activities to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures. This may involve group discussions, presentations, or debates.

It's important to note that each course may have its own unique structure and format, so the specific organisation of lectures and seminars may vary from one course to another. However, the combination of theoretical instruction in lectures and practical application in seminars is a common approach used in the Economics and Governance specialisation.

Assessments typically involve a combination of exams and written papers. Throughout the courses, students are often evaluated through weekly assignments, presentations, group projects, and class discussions.

Many courses culminate in a final exam, and students are also required to complete a thesis at the end of the programme. This diverse range of assessments is designed to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The workload for the Economics and Governance specialisation is full-time, with an average of 12 contact hours per week, including lectures, seminars, and group discussions.

In addition to these scheduled hours, students are expected to dedicate significant time to independent study, research, and completing assignments. This often involves reading academic literature, preparing presentations, working on group projects, and writing papers, including the final thesis.

In the Economics and Governance specialisation, seminar groups typically consist of around 25-30 students. Specialisation lectures are attended by all students enrolled in the Economics and Governance track.

However, for general public administration courses, students from the other specialisations within the master’s programme also attend, resulting in mixed groups. Lectures are always held with larger groups, either with all students from the Economics and Governance specialisation or with all master’s students in Public Administration.

The specialisation in International and European Governance offers students a deep understanding of the decision-making processes and the institutional architectures of Multi-level governance systems.

Students gain an understanding of the practicalities of multi-stakeholder governance and how such systems tackle global challenges through policy making. This specialisation focuses on the interplay between the international, EU, and (sub)national governance systems and the private sector by asking questions about how policymakers at the various levels respond to societal problems and decide on their solutions. More details on specialisation courses can be found via the prospectus.

The International and European Governance track allows students to apply knowledge to international and European administrations alike by providing a theoretical foundation of knowledge which can be applied to either level of governance.

The literature of the courses focus on both, international aspects of governance and governance within the multi-level system of the European Union. Students have some range of choice on which administrative level to focus on during assignments, however, this is dependent on the courses and assignments.

At the end of the programme, students will have a profound knowledge of both, European and international governance structures and their decision-making procedures.

Graduates of the International and European Governance specialisation of the Master in Public Administration are equipped to work at national and international administrations by  applying state-of-the-art scientific knowledge of EU and International institutions and decision-making processes.

Graduates may work at the EU, international organisations or national ministries as policy makers, policy advisors, consultants, government advisors or researchers. Graduates may also work in the private sector or within public affairs.

The possibilities are endless as the analytical skills gained during the International and European Governance track are much needed and applicable to today's multi-level decision-making context.

The International and European Governance track is structured around lectures and seminars. During lectures, students gain a blend of theoretical and analytical knowledge. Seminar sessions allow students to actively discuss course material within small working groups and serve as an interactive platform for engagement and participation.

Some courses only consist of lectures, others only of seminars and some courses combine lectures and seminars - this depends on the course instructors and learning goals of each course. Students are expected to prepare for lectures and seminars and are given around two to four readings per session (this depends on the course). Next to fixed contact hours every week (normally varying from four to six), students are expected to organise their time independently.

The International and European Governance specialisation is a full-time study and requires students to dedicate around 40 hours per week to the course material.

The International and European Governance track is very literature heavy and requires students to be able to process and understand large amounts of complex literature.

The assessments of the International and European Governance track uniquely combine knowledge-based assessment methods such as research papers, presentations and exams to creative and practical assessments such as podcasts, policy memos, speech writing or individual reflection reports.

The assessment methods train students to respond to future tasks of employers such as ministries and international administrations which require both analytical thinking and expertise and practical skills.

To train the real-life application of skills, the International and European Governance track uniquely hosts events for students such as ministry visits or negotiation simulation games which are integrated into the assessment of students.

The specialisation assesses students individually, however students also engage in group assignments.

The International and European Governance track is a popular specialisation amongst Master of Public Administration students due to its relevance in addressing societal problems that transcend national and regional borders. During Seminar sessions, students interact with working groups of 20-30 students.

Public Management and Leadership departs from the view that effective design of governance requires understanding of the motives, interactions and behaviors of key actors that make governance work in practice, including politicians, top-level bureaucrats, street-level professionals, and citizens.

It moves away from macro-level theories and discussions to analysis on the level of individuals, teams, and organisations. For example, some of the questions discussed centre around: why do citizens not take up social benefits, how can a public manager motivate their employees and how do politicians and bureaucrats resolve their different policy preferences?

The specialisation combines public administration literature with topics from the management and behavioural sciences, including organisational psychology and sociology, human resources management and strategic management. This equips future leaders with the conceptual tools and practical skills needed for effective management and leadership in the public sector.

Although similar in name, there are several important differences. Apart from the language, the specialisation Public Management and Leadership takes an internationally comparative approach by learning from differences and similarities in public management across national borders, whereas the programme Management van de Publieke Sector is more applied to the Dutch national government.

Furthermore, the specialisation Public Management and Leadership is a dedicated track with emphasis on management and leadership, whereas the Management van de Publieke Sector is a master programme that spans a variety of public administration topics, but let students choose a number of courses with an emphasis on management and leadership.

The specialisation courses are organised in a way that allows students to examine Management and Leadership from multiple angles.

The course Collaborative Governance takes an external leadership approach, and analyses when and how public organisations collaborate with external entities.

Contrastingly, Leadership in Organisations takes an inward approach and takes the perspective of a public manager acting within an organisation.

Furthermore, the course Politicians and Public Managers takes an upward approach to how public managers engage in the political sphere and Citizen-State Interactions focuses on how citizens experience state decisions and can influence these.

Together, the courses provide a well-rounded and comprehensive study of Public Management and Leadership.

Like the other specialisations, Public Management and Leadership is a broad master that offers lots of possibilities after graduating.

In addition to policy analysis, working for the government and international organisations, a Public Management and Leadership graduate can easily find their place in the private sector (for example consulting or project management), or work in communication and HR. Graduates of the track also regularly find employment in a position as researcher at an academic or applied research institution.

Public Management and Leadership specialisation courses are organised in weekly plenary lectures. Combined with the general courses, a student can expect to have nine contact hours a week, spread over three courses a block. Courses are highly interactive, and proactive participation is expected by professors and classmates.

Assessments are mostly assignment-based, with a balance of academic research papers and practice-oriented policy papers. Each assessment connects to its respective course, imparting skills necessary in a future workplace.

For example, the course on collaborative governance asks students to formulate a policy brief for municipality officials, urging them to consider collaborating with an external partner.

Aside from the nine fixed contact hours, students are expected to organise their time independently.

Each lecture is preceded by two or three readings to prepare students for class discussions, and it is expected students prepare notes on these in advance.

Furthermore, some courses include small, weekly participation assignments to monitor progress and encourage discussions.

The Public Management and Leadership specialisation usually has 35-40 students per class, with a larger September and a smaller February cohort.

The course load per week is 40 hours, including lectures, seminars and self-study. Furthermore, lecture/seminar attendance is mandatory and has fixed times.

It is possible to work next to your studies and many students do, but it is important to consider the schedule before taking on an additional workload.

Please note that our Dutch-language master Management van de Publieke Sector offers an evening track, Bestuur en Advisering.

Similarly to working part-time, internships can only be recommended when they do not interfere with performance during the master.

If you wish to pursue a internship, it is advisable to extend your master’s degree by a semester. This is because internships are not an integral part of the Master of Public Administration.

For more information, please see this page.

Yes, you can participate in an exchange during your studies in the master’s in Public Administration programme at Leiden University. Leiden University is part of the European Masters in Public Administration (EMaster of Public Administration) Network, which consists of leading European universities in the field of public administration and policy.

Through the EMaster of Public Administration Network Exchange, students have the opportunity to spend an additional semester—either in the fall or spring—taking courses at one of the qualified partner universities within the consortium.

It is advisable to complete your Master of Public Administration courses and possibly your thesis before going on the EMaster of Public Administration exchange, as this will result in an additional semester of study (the exchange cannot be completed simultaneously with the Master of Public Administration programme). Upon successful completion of the exchange, students will receive the EMaster of Public Administration certificate.

It’s important to note that the EMaster of Public Administration programme is not an integral part of the Master of Public Administration curriculum.

You can find housing through the university or online websites and (Facebook) groups. For university housing, it is necessary to sign up when submitting your application. To find housing independently, use online rental agencies such as Pararius, Funda or DUWO, and sign up to Facebook groups, such as Den Haag ‘Housing’, ‘Kamer in Den Haag’ and ‘Zoekt kamer in Den Haag Community.

More information >>

Graduates from the Master of Public Administration programme find themselves well-equipped for diverse career pathways across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. 60% of alumni find a job within three months after graduation, as the core skills developed during the programme, such as research, policy-making, and analytical reasoning, allow graduates to explore opportunities across sectors.

Although the majority of the alumni end up in the public sector, a significant part works in consultancy, financial, legal and other business services. The Master of Public Administration programme is not a research master, so it does not provide a direct pathway to a PhD. However, it does include research methods training that can be valuable for students who may wish to pursue a PhD later on.

Depending on the specialisation that was followed during the Master of Public Administration degree, students will have acquired a unique toolbox of skills and knowledge which prepares them not only to respond effectively to current societal challenges but also to lead the development and implementation of innovative solutions across various sectors.

In general, many non-Dutch speaking students successfully settle in the Netherlands and find jobs after completing their master’s degree, including those who graduate from the Public Administration programme at Leiden University.

The Netherlands is known for its high expat community and international work environment, especially in sectors like public policy, international relations, and consultancy, which are closely related to this field of study.

Many of these opportunities can be found in The Hague, the political and administrative heart of the Netherlands, which is home to numerous international organisations, NGOs, and governmental institutions.

While it is possible to find a job without speaking Dutch, learning the language can significantly enhance job opportunities and integration into Dutch society. Many companies and organisations, particularly those focused on local or national governance, value employees who can communicate effectively in Dutch.

However, English is widely spoken and accepted in many workplaces, particularly in international organisations, NGOs, and private companies.