MSc in

Public Governance

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About the programme

This programme trains economists to play an active role in community governance at local, regional, national and supranational levels. It emphasises a modern approach to governance built on the efficient and legitimate self-management of political communities, while exploring the complex interactions between governments, civil society, and the business sector.

Gain skills in evidence-based policy-making to promote community well-being across a wide range of economic and social policy areas
Learn to govern and evaluate public policies with insights from public agency professionals, civil society practitioners, and leading international scholars
Take part in practical training in public management and collaborative governance
Complete the programme in one year

Who is expected to attend the training

If you are passionate about social issues or public policies and want to gain extensive knowledge about the collaboration between governments, civil society, and the business sector through practice-oriented training and professional partnerships, then this is the right program for you!

We welcome students from a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds who are eager to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, working closely with experts from public agencies, NGOs, and international organizations. If you want to contribute to social change and shape the future, join the program and build a career that truly impacts public policies!

This programme is only available in English.

Details

Programme name Public Governance MSc

ECTS 60

Duration 2 semesters (1 years)

Teaching hours 20 hours/week

Includes internship no

Start date September 2026

Tuition fee (EEA)

1 350 000 Ft/semester

2 700 000 Ft/year

cca. 3 400 EUR/semester

cca. 6 800 EUR/year

Tuition fee (Non-EEA)

5 400 EUR/semester

*The official price list can be found in the annex to the Regulation on Student Fees and Benefits.

How to take the exam

Most courses are assesed through a combination of various individual or group assignments, project work during the semester or / and a final examination. Some courses are graded based on assignments only or exam only. The final assesment of the programme consists of a thesis defence.

Unique structure, multiple options

The second year of some of our two-year programmes offers specialisation, and can also be completed as a one-year Master’s programme. The first year of these two-year programmes provides a solid foundation, making them ideal for those with less expertise in the relevant field (in terms of subjects studied and credits obtained).

Two-year programme:

MSc Public Policy and Management

One-year specializations/programmes:

MSc in Public Governance
MSc in Health Economic Evaluation
MSc in Global Development Policy
MSc in Climate Policy and Regional Development

Corvinus University of Budapest

What will you study?

Semester 1

*

Program and Performance Evaluation
NGO Management and Civil Society
Digital Era Governance
Public Policies for Human Development
Thesis Seminar
Free Elective Course

Semester 2

Core Modules*

Public Policy Interventions: Cost-Benefit Analysis
Public Financial Management
Development and Humanitarian Assistance
Health Policy
Sustainable Spatial Planning and Development
Thesis Writing
Free Elective Course

* The above is not an exhaustive list. Corvinus University of Budapest reserves the right to change modules.

International mobilities

Exchange programmes

Corvinus has nearly 200 partners worldwide, and depending on the type of funding, you can apply to study at these institutions. As a one-year program, we focus on dynamic short-term study visits and institutional visits. Participants have the opportunity to connect with our partner universities abroad and gain first-hand insights into the work of international organizations based in Budapest and across the region, enriching both their academic and professional horizons

Application for international students

Application for Hungarian students

Corvinus University of Budapest

Kovács Éva Margit

Associate Professor

Programme Director

Dear Future Students,

All around the world, young people concerned about public affairs consider governance as the source of problems and disappointment — and probably less and less as an instrument supporting the solution of challenges facing human communities. Be it global issues related to nation states or local/regional issues, a lot of people look for the solutions in other directions: they join movements and grassroots organisations, or turn aside from public affairs.

Our programme is aimed at these young people, too, in addition to people interested in the more traditional concepts of the public sphere. Our mission is to provide young people with instruments: knowledge and skills related to community governance based on the deliberately organised cooperation of the public, the civil and the corporate spheres. This way we can strengthen the efficiency and the legitimacy of governance. At the same time, the understanding and the ability of assessing the limitations of community governance are also in focus, assisting deliberation and selection between the traditional state-centred and the newer community-centred approaches in governance.

Corvinus University of Budapest

Vlad Demenski

Estonia

Student

Corvinus is very much the Oxford of Hungary, so coming to study here means you’re surrounded by incredible people with fresh perspectives that can actually impact the world. The Corvinus student life is vibrant, where you get to talk to a wide cast of students from all around the globe – I’ve made friends with someone from every continent besides Antarctica here. Corvinus is the place to be if you want to enjoy your student life while not compromising academic success.

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

Graduates of the program are well-prepared for diverse professional roles, including:

policy analysts and advisors in government, international institutions or private consultancies,

program managers and project coordinators in NGOs, civil society, or humanitarian organizations,

experts in public finance, development, and social policy,

consultants in governance, sustainability, or organizational development,

researchers and academics focusing on public governance and policy innovation, consultants, corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers, sustainability specialists, and organizational development experts.

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