Public Policy
and Management
About the programme
For the well-being of local and global communities! Solve the problems as a leading policy analyst or a public or NGO leader.
Public Policy and Management at Corvinus is an internationally recognised programme designed for future political leaders, policy analysts, and civil society influencers.
You will gain
- Essential analytical and leadership skills
- In-depth knowledge of public governance and the operation of national and international organisations in climate, health policy, and international development
You will obtain
- A highly competitive degree accredited by the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA)
- Access to the European Master’s in Public Administration (EMPA) network, offering excellent study abroad opportunities
- A practical toolkit to analyse complex social and public policy issues and evaluate alternative solutions
- Skills and networking opportunities enhanced by internships and an active alumni community, boosting your international employment prospects
Characteristics of the Programme
- Students come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds
- Multi-disciplinary training
- Problem-oriented and project-based courses
Who is expected to attend the training
We welcome students who are committed to working for the well-being of communities in a specific policy area (climate, health, education, international development, economic or social policy).
They may go on to work as policy analysts, consultants, activists or leaders at NGOs, or as analysts at public agencies, central or local governments.
Details
Programme name Public Policy and Management
Programme award Master, MSc
ECTS 120
Duration 4 semesters (2 years)
Teaching hours 10-16 hours/week
Mobility window The recommended mobility period is the second and third semesters.
Includes internship No
Start date September 2025
Tuition fee (EEA)
990 000 HUF/semester
cca. 2 500 EUR/semester*
Tuition fee (Non-EEA)
3 300 EUR/semester
*The official price list can be found in the annex to the Regulation on Student Fees and Benefits.
Examinations
Nearly two-thirds of the courses in the programme are based on continuous work and practical assignments, individual and group project works. There are oral presentation tasks as well as brief written assignments.
Traineeships
Motivated students have access to internship opportunities, but internships are not mandatory. You can take part in professional practical collaborations with consulting companies, policy analysis and research institutes.
What will you study?
Year 1
Core Modules*
- Development and Sustainability
- Public Economics
- Multilevel Governance
Elective Modules*
- Corruption, Governance and Political Institutions
- Health Economics
- States and Globalisation
- Theory and Practice of Environmental Policymaking
Year 2
Specialisations*
- Climate Policy
- Governance of the Energy Transition
- Political Economy of the Global South
- Development and Humanitarian Assistance
- Health Technology Assessment
- Valuation of Health
- NGO Management and Civil Society
- Public Policies for Human Development
* The above is not an exhaustive list. Corvinus University of Budapest reserves the right to change modules.
International mobilities
EMPA
During your studies, you can take part in professional practical collaborations with consulting companies, policy analysis and research institutes. Spend a Semester at one of our EMPA partners representing Europe’s elite institutions in the field.
CEMS
Moreover, you can also apply to CEMS, which was ranked in the top 6% of the world’s best business programmes this year in the QS 2024 Masters in Management Rankings (11th out of 199 programmes). By successfully applying, not only will the doors to 33 leading business schools and over 70 corporate partners open for you, but you’ll also become part of a global alumni network of 20,000 members.
Exchange programmes
Corvinus has nearly 200 partners worldwide, and depending on the type of funding, you can apply to study at these institutions.
Attila Bartha
Associate Professor
Programme Director
Ilayda Erdogdu
Turkey
Student - Public Policy and Management
I am a Public Policy and Management master’s student with a Public Administration undergraduate background. The program's courses combine theory and practice, focusing on policy-making, management, and economics. The faculty, including guest lecturers from renowned institutions, fosters interactive learning. As an international student, I appreciate the welcoming environment and support in my academic journey.
Leading university
Rankings
#3 Best Business School in the region
EdUniversal Rankings
#351-400 in Business and Management
WUR Ranking by Subject
TOP 70 in Master’s in Finance in the world
Financial Times
Accreditations and networks
Career Opportunities
Our graduates progress to roles including: health, education, climate and social policy analyst, consultancy partner, refugee commissioner, public affairs partner, EU policy analyst and international NGO officer.
Nika Khomasuridze
Alumni
Nika, our former student from Georgia, graduated in 2021 with an MSc in Public Policy and Management and currently works as a Programme Officer at the Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy (EECMD). He emphasized that the programme equipped him with insights into public policy processes, public management, and public sector reform, which were critical for understanding how policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated for effectiveness and efficiency.
Márton Schlanger
Alumni
Márton received his Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Corvinus in 2022. He started working at the Republikon Institute in 2021 and currently serves as a Senior Researcher at the Institute.
Gunel Abdullayeva
Alumni
Gunel graduated from the programme in 2018. In 2019, she was awarded the Swedish Institute Visby Scholarship and began her second Master’s degree at Lund University. She graduated from Lund University in 2021 with an MSc in Welfare Policies and Management. She currently lives and works in Lund, Sweden, and started her career after her studies in Sweden as a project manager at a global tech company.
