3 public policy leaders that turn students into change-makers

3 public policy leaders that turn students into change-makers


Public policy graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills key to changing a fast-changing world. 

Public policy is a vibrant, interdisciplinary field that deals with the set of actions — plans, laws, and behaviours — adopted by a government. It takes on many different forms, like reevaluating the guidelines for criminal sentencing, reforming the citizenship attainment process for migrants to be fairer and smoother, or setting a minimum wage to ensure that labour is fairly compensated. 

But whichever form or focus it takes, public policy remains the most direct route to making change happen. With growing misinformation, a climate crisis, and rapid advancements in technology, countries and territories need people who can make all voices of all communities heard more than ever. It’s a big task – one that only the most impactful graduate degrees can prepare you for, like those listed below.

The Sanford School of Public Policy is ranked amongst the top 10% of graduate schools in the US. Source: Duke University

Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy

The future isn’t set in stone; it’s written in policy — and that’s how Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy strives to make an impact. It’s in the school’s DNA to combat complex societal challenges. Whether fighting for fiscal policy measures to halt the deterioration of the environment in Thailand, combatting misinformation in the U.S., or reaching effective measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 in its home city of Durham, North Carolina, the Sanford School is at the forefront of shaping policy.

The Sanford School’s residential Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) programmes ensure that existing and emerging leaders have the tools needed to drive innovative policy and sustainable development into the future. The MPP is a great fit for early-career professionals passionate about leveraging the plans, laws, and behaviours adopted by a government to make a difference. You’ll learn to develop evidence-based policy solutions through a comprehensive curriculum that combines economics, ethics, and quantitative analysis with real-world applications. For mid-career professionals with at least five years of work experience looking to dive into the global realm of sustainable development, the MIDP programme’s what you’re looking for. With this program, students develop a comprehensive understanding of international development policy through core coursework, practicums, and electives. Students can tailor their studies to align with their career goals, choosing electives and special topics that focus on governance, sustainability, economic policy, and more. The curriculum ensures a balance between theoretical knowledge, applied skills, and real-world experience, preparing students to deepen their impact in the field.

The result of two rigorous, customisable degree programmes? Bold thinkers and collaborators who develop life-changing solutions in the classroom and beyond. With over 5,000 international students, world-class faculty, global industry connections, and a dynamic alumni network, Duke cultivates a diverse community that enhances learning and broadens career opportunities. Students gain access to personalized career services, professional development, and valuable internship and research opportunities, which influence their connections with employers and alumni on campus. Recent employers include the World Bank, the International Organization for Migration, the New York Climate Exchange, and PartnersGlobal.

Whether you’re launching your career or advancing as a seasoned professional, the school is dedicated to helping you grow, lead, and make a global impact.

Ready to become a changemaker? Start your journey with a master’s degree from Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy today.

The London School of Economics (LSE) was ranked the top university in London for 2025 across various publications, like The Sunday Times and The Guardian. Source: LSE/Facebook

London School of Economics

Year after year, the School of Public Policy in the London School of Economics (LSE) continues to be a launchpad for future policymakers who can transform society. It’s no small feat, cementing LSE’s reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. 

While impressive, campus is anything but standoffish. Here, faculty, practitioners, and students from over 60 nations congregate in their central London campus to exchange ideas and perspectives. You will foster a sense of global awareness and see what navigating between the different opinions and perspectives of economists, lawyers, financiers and philosophers is like

Such rich debates pair well with programmes offered by the SPP, like the Master of Public Policy (MPP). It combines academic rigour with practical applications to develop a unique understanding of the complex challenges of contemporary governance across core discipline perspectives including economics and econometrics, political science, quantitative methods, public management and philosophy. This strong discipline focus core, plus room to specialise, further ensures you gain the tools and approaches needed to reform and enhance public service provision. By the end of this intensive nine-month programme, you’ll be ready for the next step in your career. You’ll be more confident and competent in the craft of government to return to your profession and take on new challenges.

While the MPP is designed primarily for working professionals with over five years of experience, the range of programmes at LSE is vast and wide. There’s a degree for everyone here, whether they’re in the early stages of their career or at the executive level. Either way, LSE will ensure that students have access to innovative research and scholarship, aiding them towards diverse public, private, international, or non-profit roles. 

If you dream of becoming one of the policy and political leaders of tomorrow, transforming the world into a better place for all — then check out LSE’s Master of Public Policy programme today.

public policy

The University of Melbourne’s been making its mark since 1853, and has been named the top university in Australia for consecutive years. Source: Duke University

The University of Melbourne

The School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne is spreading positivity by the second. World-class faculty members are proactive in pushing for social justice, diversity, and environmental sustainability, tackling a wide range of pressing issues in politics. Learning here is research-based and collaborative – an effective process that prepares graduates for distinguished roles in diplomacy, international relations, the government, and more.

While many universities offer the MPP programme alone, the University of Melbourne’s Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) stands out for embedding the study of public management into their curriculum. It’s a key facet of the university’s commitment to turn their students into professionals fit for international leadership. They’re not only policymaking leaders, but capable of managing public, private, and non-profit organisations too.

It’s an immersive learning experience as much as it’s an effective one. Students learn from leaders in the state and federal governments, as well as public service delivery organisations. Faculty members bring decades of experience with public policy, working for the government, academia, the parliament, and more, to seminar and lecture halls — so students are getting first-hand insight into how governments work.

As graduates, their refined high-level analytic skill sets are in demand by organisations worldwide. MPPM graduates have gone on to work in global organisations including Australia Bureau of Statistics, Bangladesh Ministry of Finance, Department of Justice, Embassy of Nepal (Beijing), Royal Women’s Hospital, The Australian Agency for International Development Toshiba Television (Beijing), University of Essex, and Victoria Police.

Learn more about the University of Melbourne’s School of Social and Political Sciences.



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