Digital Technologies and Policy MPA

The Master's of Public Administration (MPA) in Digital Technologies and Policy at UCL offers an applied, interdisciplinary approach to contemporary challenges arising from emerging digital technologies. The programme’s unique socio-technical approach prepares future decision-makers in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to tackle complex digital technology policy issues like cybersecurity, data protection, algorithmic integrity and data quality, and consolidation in digital markets. Leaders and decision-makers working at the interface of digital technologies and policy require a rigorous, multi-disciplinary understanding of how emerging digital technologies impact the global economy, national security, organisational resilience, individual freedoms and fundamental rights, employment, and critical sectors such as healthcare. As a student on the MPA in Digital Technologies and Policy, you will develop a unique mix of technical and policy knowledge necessary to effectively assess these critical challenges. With guidance from academics and leading practitioners, you will gain a deep understanding of the political economy of Internet operations and platforms, from the physical infrastructure to the application layer, and how these dynamics continue to shape critical issues in digital technology policy such as encryption or the spread of misinformation online. Building on these foundations, you will explore the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks and initiatives designed to address the risks and uncertainties arising from the increasingly widespread use of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence or the Internet of Things.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university in a relevant discipline or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Students are encouraged (but are not required) to have work experience prior to enrolling on this programme.