IVEY Campus - Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration

Overview

The OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Public Administration is a postgraduate level recognised qualification suitable for learners to gain skills in public service administration.

Public service managers face an increasing pace of change, combined with pressures to deliver more with less, navigate a complex policy context and enhance performance while sustaining public service values. Designed for professionals in public and non-profit organisations who provide strong and comprehensive support, this OTHM Level 7 Diploma qualification will equip you to meet these challenges.

You will study three aspects of public administration:

• The policy process, within which public services are developed.
• The organisational and human context through which public services are delivered.
• The wider social, economic and political environment that shapes public service demands and constraints.

You will learn how to analyse complex public management problems, lead change effectively, and develop your ability to manage through networks and partnerships. You will be able to shape and deliver the public services of the future and move into more strategic roles in a wide range of organisations.

Over the course of the programme you will grow as a competent and reflective practitioner, both in your current role, and in preparation for more demanding roles in the future.

Entry requirements

For entry onto the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Public Administration qualification, learners must possess:

• An honours degree in related subject or UK level 6 diploma or an equivalent overseas qualification
• Mature learners with management experience (learners must check with the delivery centre regarding this experience prior to registering for the programme)
• Learners must be 21 years old or older at the beginning of the course

The degree can be in any subject, although we may give preference to learners with knowledge of relevant areas include – Management or Business Studies, Economics, Finance or Accounting and any social science.

Alternative professional qualifications with at least three years’ relevant work experience in the public service field will also be considered. This could be in roles in local or national government, or in non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations, the voluntary and charitable sector, and private sector roles which support or deliver public services.

Equivalences

The OTHM Level 7 diplomas on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) are at the same level as master’s degrees. However, they are shorter (120 credits) and learners will have to proceed to the dissertation stage (60 credits) with university to achieve a full masters programme.

Qualification structure

The OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Public Administration consists of 6 mandatory units for a combined total of 120 credits, 1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.

Mandatory units

• Managing and Leading in the Public Sector (20 credits).
• Public Service Reform and Innovation (20 credits).
• Policy and Politics – Theory and Analysis (20 credits).
• Managing Public Finance (20 credits).
• Managing Public Sector Projects (20 credits).
• Advanced Research Methods (20 credits)

Duration and delivery

The qualification is designed to be delivered over one academic year for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning.

The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

Assessment and verification

All units within this qualification are internally assessed by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgement that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the Assessor.

The Assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgement of the learners’ overall achievement has been arrived at.

Progressions

Successful completion of the OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Public Administration qualification enables learners to progress into or within employment and/or continue their study towards a relevant master top-up programme with advanced standing at many universities in the UK and overseas.