MSc in Public Policy and Human Development (also known as MPP) - FAQs

• How many applications do you receive for this programme each year?
  We commonly receive between 500 and 700  applications per year.
   
• What is the acceptance rate? Is it higher for early applications?
  We have an average acceptance rate of 70% for completed applications. The acceptance rate is not higher for early applications.
   
• What type of background is accepted for this master?
  We welcome a wide diversity of students with at least a bachelor’s degree. Some of our students already have a few years of professional experience. We accept students from a wide variety of disciplines. 
   

• When does the programme start?

  The MPP starts in September each year.

• Is there a limited amount of students who can start the programme?
  No, there is no limit on the number of admissible students.
   
• Is work experience considered in the application process?
  Yes, work experience is taken into account, but not required.
   
• Is an interview part of the application process?
  No, but in rare cases, we may ask for a telephone/online interview if we need to verify certain points or wish to check your English language proficiency.
   
• Is there a specific bachelor GPA needed?
  No, we assess the entire application package.
   
• Do I need to have specific prior knowledge of public policy?
  No, prior knowledge in public policy is not required, although we seek to find compatibility with previous studies.
   
• Can I apply for an exemption from the handling fee?
  There are a few exceptions to the requirement to pay the handling fee for non-EEA candidates. Please check the information on this page.
   
• When is the deadline to submit the essay?
  The essay should be submitted as part of the application package. The same deadlines apply.

• Do students receive one degree in Public Policy and one degree in Human Development or do they receive the same degree in Public Policy and Human Development from two universities? 
  Upon graduation, students receive two separate Master’s degrees in Public Policy and Human Development, one issued by Maastricht University and one issued by United Nations University.
   
• Is there any benefit in being part of an international community of research institutes/universities?
  There are multiple benefits to participating in a programme that partners with other research institutes and is involved in an international community. Participating in a Master’s offered by a United Nations University offers students and alumni a network with the other UN University institutes, which are located in Finland, Canada, Ghana, Japan, and other countries. In addition, some of our specialisations collaborate with other research institutes, which gives those students the opportunity to interact with teaching staff outside of Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT. Upon graduation, students join an international alumni community that offers opportunities for events and collaboration.
   
• Is it possible to combine this study with another master’s programme?
  We strongly discourage students from combining the MPP with another programme. Our programme is a condensed Master’s and students have a full schedule. Next to attending courses, students work on their thesis and participate in soft skills workshops aimed at preparing their career.
   
• Will our degree have accreditation from the EAPAA? 
  Yes, the MPP is EAPAA-accredited. This means our programme adheres to a high standard of quality demanded of higher education programmes in public policy. To read more, visit this page.
   
• Is it possible to work besides the Master’s?
  Yes, it is possible to work in addition to completing the MPP. However, we encourage students to seriously consider if there is ample time in their schedule to carry a part-time job alongside our programme because the hours required to complete the MPP in one year are very intensive. Keep in mind that non-EU students may need a work visa to be able to work in The Netherlands.
   

Prior background
 

• How do you ensure in-depth learning progress if there are people from literally all backgrounds? 
  Our programme is intended for students coming from different disciplines and with various backgrounds. The autumn semester focuses on the essentials of policy analysis – how to understand the economics of policy, how to understand and apply statistics and regression analysis through a policy lens, and how to conduct policy research. During the spring semester, students deepen their exploration and practice of public policy, whether that be in global governance, innovation, migration, risk and vulnerability, or social protection.
   
• I already have a bachelor and master in economics (public policy, econometrics etc). Do you think this degree is still useful?
  Having a background in economics is not essential to be successful in the MPP, but it will make following the quantitative modules easier. Our programme is highly beneficial and relevant for students seeking to better understand the policy process, how policy can be applied nationally and internationally, through a qualitative and quantitative approach, and for the development of society.
   

Specificities
 

• What is the study load per week? 
  Students typically have 10-12 contact hours of classes per week and are expected to study 30-40 additional hours to maintain course assignments.
   
• Can you elaborate more on the exam structure of the programme? How often do you have exams?
  Most courses are four weeks long, culminating in an assessment. The assessment can range from a standard exam to a presentation or a group project. In addition, some courses have a mid-term assessment. You can learn more about the assessment format for each of our courses from our course catalogues on this page.
   
• Is it a combination of tutorials and lectures or how does a typical week look like?
  At Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT, we use the problem-based learning (PBL) teaching methodology. This means in addition to having lectures throughout the week, students have tutorials which follow the PBL model. Participating in PBL tutorials allows students to process the information they received in lectures with a tutor and a small group of their classmates. Fridays are typically allocated for students to work on their thesis.
   
• What is the average size of the classes?
  The size of our classes depends on the size of our cohort. In the autumn semester, all students will attend the same lecture, which can lead to a lecture of over 100, but tutorial sizes are much smaller (about 15 students). Once the specialisations begin, the lecture size will be on average between 7 and 40.
   
• When do you have to choose your specialisation? How do you decide which specialisation to choose?
  Students choose their specialisations in November. Students are guided to make an informed decision through a series of explanatory and informative videos. In addition, an event is organised before the decision deadline to provide students more information from the specialisation coordinators’ perspective.
   
• I heard that students get some hands on experience to apply their learning to real life projects during the programme. Could you give some examples?
  Lecturers often use real life case studies in their courses and for exercises. Besides that, there are often opportunities to participate in simulation games, policy labs, and work on a thesis that is linked to an ongoing project.
   

Thesis 
 

• For the thesis, do you have to use both quantitative and qualitative methods?
  No, students can choose to use purely quantitative or qualitative methods for their thesis or use a mixed-methods approach.
   
• Is there a possibility to do a semester abroad?
  No, it is not possible to study abroad in the MPP. However, students have the possibility to complete their thesis with a research institute or organisation that could offer on-site data collection. It is up to the student to secure such a research project.
   

Internship
 

• Do we have the opportunity to do an internship as part of the programme?
  Students are able to do an internship in addition to the programme with the approval of the Study Advisor. Students are responsible for finding and applying to the internship on their own and are required to meet with the Study Advisor to make sure the additional workload of the internship won’t compromise the success of the student’s academic work and cause a study delay.
   
• Is it possible to combine the thesis track with an internship? Is the thesis related to an internship?
  It is possible for students to relate their thesis project to an internship but it is not a requirement of the thesis. If a student has been given approval by the Study Advisor to do an internship and would like to use material from their internship for their thesis, they are free to do so if the thesis proposal is approved.
   

Career prospects
 

• Given the programme’s affiliation with the UN, is there any additional leverage for graduates to work in organisations such as UN agencies or WHO?
  The institute has several cooperation agreements with international organisations. Some of them are directly involved in teaching and get to know our students first-hand. It happens that students are offered an internship. In the end it is the quality of the degree that matters and the student’s individual achievements. Numerous former students either did an internship or found a job at a UN organisation. 
   
• Do students continue their studies with another master graduation or do they prefer to enter the job market?
  Most of our graduates enter the job market after graduating from our programme, and some pursue a PhD.
   
• How does this Master’s help with career development? What sort of jobs do graduates of the course go on to do?
  Having a Master’s is now a requirement for many upper-level jobs, and having a degree from Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT in Public Policy and Human Development opens doors to many of these opportunities. Many of our alumni start a career in government, policy-making, NGOs, and academia. From our latest graduated cohort, we have alumni holding positions in migration research, heading a department of policy in local government, and functioning as ambassador for an NGO. This degree is a relevant programme for individuals seeking a career in public policy, development work, government, research and more. 
   
• Do graduates also get involved in fieldwork in the Global South?
  Yes, we currently have alumni working in the Global South on fieldwork.