Overview

UBC’s professional Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program equips future policy makers with a profound understanding of policy-making processes through a solid foundation of rigorous knowledge acquisition, policy analysis, career development, and experiential learning.

With a full-time 20-month program, students in Vancouver’s UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs will gain expertise in one, or all, of our three main streams: Development and Social Change; Resources, Energy, and Sustainability; and Global Governance and Security. With the additional flexibility to choose a range of electives – including courses concentrating on Asia – students graduate from the program ready to address complex public policy challenges and drive meaningful change, both locally and globally.

MPPGA students will benefit from our unique curriculum which fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration by seamlessly integrating course-based learning and practical learning experiences. Complementing this, you will learn from our diverse faculty and policy practitioners at UBC, a top ranking university in both academics and action on climate change, in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the greenest and most livable cities in the world.

What makes the program unique?

SPPGA’s MPPGA degree prepares future policy leaders with an informed perspective, critical and creative thinking skills, and professional networks qualifying them to work effectively with global policy establishments. Together, this toolkit will allow graduates to diversify and enhance their careers. The MPPGA program has a novel and broad approach to governance: going beyond government bodies to include a network of actors - NGOs, social enterprises, international institutions, and the private sector – that are target employers for graduates.

The program’s three streams allow for customization and specialization of global public policy and are reflective of UBC's unique strengths on Asia and sustainability in particular. Students will be exposed to global case studies in the areas of political, socio-economic and cultural change taught by some of the world’s leading public policy experts.

The program integrates learning and practical experience with a mix of field visits, workshops, and the intensive Global Policy Project, which provides opportunities for students to engage with policy makers and civil society to address a real-world policy challenge.

Meet a Representative

Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs – October 16 Alumni & Careers Info Session

Online
Thursday, 16 October 2025 6:00 – 7:00 pm

We invite you to connect with alumni at our upcoming info session, where students will be sharing insights from their time in the MPPGA program, and how it helped propel their diverse career paths in the policy field.

 

Program Enquiries

If you have reviewed the information on this program page and understand the requirements for this program, you may send an enquiry

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