The Brighton MPA has an international alumni network that includes Chief Executives, PhD researchers, professionals in government and non-government organisations as well as analysts, managers and advisers in a range of public sector and private sector organisations. We are proud to have contributed to local public sector, government and community sectors as well as having had two British Council Chevening Scholars and taught students from Oman, Pakistan, Canada, Japan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Russia and the USA.
Read our student and alumni stories to find out about their experiences of the course and what they’ve been up to since graduating.
Janet Baah (Graduated 2012) – PhD Student (Sussex), Town Councillor (Lewes Town Council), Non-executive Board Member, Policy Adviser on protected characteristics
Janet studied for her undergraduate degree in Ghana. She had been out of higher education for a few years before she came to study on the MPA. She says it was the ‘quality of support’ she received from the course team and the ‘skills in policy analysis and research’ that she benefited from the most.
“My objective for registering on the Brighton MPA was to earn a degree that would prepare me to engage professionally with both public and private sector organisations. I wanted to find how to shape policies and implement them. In this respect, I benefited from all the modules on the course as they were specifically designed to help students think critically about agenda setting, consultation, policy analysis, policy implementation and evaluation. What I miss most about the programme is the guidance and mentoring the course team offered to students. All those conversations and discussions about policies and political systems. The responsiveness and support they offered was fantastic.”
“I am currently a full-time PhD candidate at the University of Sussex conducting research into ‘ ‘Educational Access and Schooling Options: Exploring the factors that drive demand for private education in Ghana’s rural-urban slum dwellers’. I am also a Town Councillor having won a bi-election in June 2016. Many of the day-to-day tasks I engage in as part of my work and studies – such as engaging with my constituents, managers, clients and research participants – all relate to the modules I followed as part of the Brighton MPA programme. I would recommend the MPA to anyone who is looking for a challenge and wants to move their life forward.”
Maggie Houghton (Graduated 2011) – Programme Manager, The Hyde Group
Maggie studied with us part-time whilst working in the non-government sector in community development. She now works for a housing association based in the UK.
“I found the experience of studying for the MPA personally fulfilling and have no doubt that doing the MPA is one of the main reasons I have progressed in my career. I particularly enjoyed the more theoretical modules on new public management, policy development and network theory. I have been really struck by how useful the modules have been in informing how I develop organisational policies and run service programmes.”
“The most enjoyable part of the MPA for me was researching and producing the final thesis where I got to apply knowledge acquired throughout my studies to a topic of personal interest, which has also proven to be of tremendous relevance to my day-to-day work. Aside from the subjects covered, I found that the University of Brighton and School of Applied Social Science’s close links to the voluntary and community sectors via the Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp) really enhanced the study environment. The course was great for networking and by the time I graduated I had set up and started delivering a 5-year lottery funded project with a co-student from another organisation. I have come back to access the expertise of the staff at Brighton and Cupp on several occasions and on coming away always feel uplifted, informed, encouraged and ready to take on the next challenge.”
Thomas El Hoss (Graduated 2012) – PhD Student, University of Bath
After completing his undergraduate degree with us in the School of Applied Social Science, Thomas studied for his MPA before successfully applying for an ESRC scholarship to pursue PhD research on ‘Rights, Responsibilities and Citizenship: An exploration of Western funded youth community projects in Lebanon.’
“I found the MPA at the University of Brighton to be both a challenging and deeply rewarding course of learning. Progressing through a breadth of topics and theories the masters provides a detailed look at the mechanics of governmental and non-governmental practice in different social and political settings. This scope meant I had the opportunity to pursue my personal interest in the role that international organisations such as the World Bank and IMF play in shaping governance in developing countries. Provided with a strong foundation in relevant debates, concepts and ideas I was able to complete a successful dissertation.”
“Following the MPA and equipped with the skills and knowledge it furnished, I was accepted to volunteer on two UK Government run development projects in Ethiopia and India. I also used the academic skills in writing and research that were advanced on the MPA to successfully apply for a scholarship from the Economic and Social Research Council to pursue a PhD; for which I am currently in Lebanon completing fieldwork. I would thus highly recommend the MPA at the University of Brighton as it is intellectually stimulating, offers a range of skills and learning and perhaps most importantly, is ran by academic staff who not only offer scholarly expertise, but who genuinely take an active interest in nurturing the learning and development of their students.”
Marsha Roberts (Graduated 2014) – Business Navigator Project Manager, Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership
Marsha completed her undergraduate degree in Canada before coming to us to study for the MPA. She now works in a local organisation – practising what we teach!
“What I enjoyed most about the MPA course was not only the course content but also the course structure. It was really helpful that the modules in Term 1 included introductions to research methods and public administration and the ‘Study Skills’ sessions helped me develop my critical thinking and adapt to the UK academic process. I feel I especially benefitted from teaching on ‘Strategic management in public and voluntary sectors’ as I am applying those methods in my current role in which I shape and input into the strategic direction of a government funded project I am managing. The emphasis placed on participation in policy processes has been essential to understanding the contemporary local political landscape and the importance of citizen feedback when delivering a service.”
“I am currently working for the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the Brighton area and I would not have received an interview, or be successful in my current role, without the skills and knowledge acquired through the MPA programme. LEPs are public-private organisations that provide strategic input into the economic growth of their regions. ‘Partnerships’ and ‘partnership working’ are integral elements of my organisation’s work and the MPA gave me the opportunity to explore these concepts at a managerial and strategic level. My critical thinking and writing skills have improved dramatically since my degree and I have already written several reports for my current employer that have been submitted to central government.”
“I have been promoted twice since joining the LEP in 2015 and currently work as a Project Manager overseeing a team of 6 delivering business support in the area. I will be eternally grateful towards the MPA course team for their in-depth support and guidance throughout my degree. Completing a masters degree full-time in one year is an incredible feat! A feat I would not have successfully taken on without all the support I received from the School of Applied Social Sciences. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to or is currently working with public, private and voluntary sector organisations.”
Zafar Ali (Graduated 2014) – Current Position: Secretary to the Government of Balochistan (Pakistan), Science & Information. Technology
Zafar came to study with us after working in local government in Pakistan for a number of years. He won a prestigious Chevening Scholarship from the British Council. Zafar’s experience of local government provided us with some fascinating examples of policy making to explore in class.
I studied for the Brighton MPA during 2013-14 as a Chevening Scholar. The lecturers were a huge support. The whole programme was interesting and relevant to my professional career. I had the opportunity to learn from and develop skills relating to public policy and administration. Here I particularly would like to mention the help and guidance from the course team who extended their full support and cooperation from the very beginning until the completion of my studies. Without their help, it would have been quite difficult for me as a student from who had never left Pakistan, to complete my programme successfully. I am so glad to have met such amazing people who made my MPA programme rewarding and enjoyable. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to enjoy and experience British culture and society, and also share my own.
My MPA degree has contributed immensely to my career progression. After completion I went back to my post in the government of Balochistan, Pakistan. Based on my MPA qualification, I was given very a important assignment and post as Director (Administration & Finance) in Public Procurement Regulatory Authority. Soon after that, I was promoted to Secretary to the Government which is a senior management position in provincial government. After promotion, I was transferred to Food department of the province, and there I supported my government in framing procurement and Human Resource policies. We devised a poverty alleviation strategy based around the procurement and distribution of wheat. I am now working as Secretary to the Government in Science & Technology Department. I can confidently say that after the MPA I can work equally well both in public and private sectors, as well as with civil society organizations. This programme has given me a strong foundation which is helping immensely in my career and personal growth.
Based on my experience, I have recommended this course to my friends and colleagues. This programme enhances understanding, knowledge and skills required for administration and management of organizations, and the analysis of policy issues at local, regional and global level.