Programs/Master/Law, public administration, public order and safety
Master

Public Policy and Human Development

★ StudyPath verdict
7.5/10
Best for students interested in international public policy, governance and human development at a leading Dutch university with strong European focus; consider the interdisciplinary approach against more specialized economics or political
Tuition · Intl
?
intl not published · EU: €2,694 ↗
Duration
1 year
60 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by Jun 26
Language
English
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2024
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
298
DUO ↓27% ↗
Intl. %
60%
of students ↗
S:F ratio
18:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
?
not specified
Entry route
Bachelor
degree required ↗
Satisfaction
4.0/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
83%
field est. ↗
Median salary
€3,239
/mo gross · field ↗
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 25 Jun 2026
About this program
How can public policy promote innovation-based growth? What is lacking in the current social protection policy in your country and how can it be improved? What are the key factors that governments should take into account when creating their migration policy? Develop the skills to answer these questions in a professional capacity with our master's programme in Public Policy and Human Development, offered in collaboration with United Nations University (UNU-MERIT). This one-year programme emphasises the connection between public policy and the effectiveness and efficiency of governance. You'll be equipped with a variety of quantitative and qualitative skills, tools and knowledge which will enable you to work in policy-related fields in public, private and non-profit organisations the world over.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English60 ECTSMaster of ScienceField area: Behaviour & SocietySector: Recht en BestuurCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeMaster
Teaching formats
Case studyComputer assignmentsGroup assignmentGroup discussionIndividual assignmentLectureLiterature studyOral presentation
About Maastricht University
Founded in 1976, Maastricht University is known for its innovative Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach and highly international character with 59% international students. Located in the charming southern city of Maastricht near Belgium and Germany, it excels in economics, law, and health sciences.
Living in Maastricht
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€470/mo
Monthly total
€750–€1,400
Cost of living
Medium
Population
122k

Cosmopolitan, Burgundian, and culturally rich. Maastricht feels distinctly different from other Dutch cities, with influences from Belgium, Germany, and France. The city is known for its excellent food, wine culture, and relaxed southern lifestyle.

View city guide →
Specializations
Tracks from HOVI
Poverty, vulnerability, inequality and exclusion are global challenges that require extensive policy intervention if effective and sustainable solutions are to be found. In particu
Migration StudiesSpecialisation
Migration is a pressing topic in development, welfare, and immigration policy with around 281 million migrants worldwide, making up approximately 3.5% of the world population. Rem
The Governance of Innovation specialisation focuses on the rapid emergence of new and different technologies, and the challenges that arise from their integration into society. St
The Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 (adopted by the UN) is a driving force behind the political, institutional, economic, environmental and security conditions necessary for so
Source: HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Good job-market outlookfield: politicologie
Median starting salary (field)€3,239/mo gross
Employed ~1.5y after graduating83%
Months to a substantial job7
Working in their own field49%
Permanent contract35%
Satisfied with their job3.9/5
Top graduate occupations (field)
Specialisten op het gebied van beleidsadministratie29%
Bedrijfs- en organisatieanalisten12%
Specialisten op het gebied van public relations6%
Administratief secretaressen en uitvoerende secretaressen5%
Professoren en andere onderwijsgevenden in het hoger onderwijs5%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Complete this degree89%
Women among first-years66%
International students60%
Say workload is “just right”47%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
4/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 64 respondents
Content & set-up3.9
Teachers4.1
Atmosphere4.1
Involvement & contact4
Study guidance3.7
Testing & assessment3.6
Facilities3.5
Career preparation3.7
Teachers' English4.4
Would choose again4
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-06-01
Non-EU deadline
2026-05-01
Upcoming open days
Open dayonline
2 Nov 2026
Open day
20 Mar 2027
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
?No admission requirements in source
Internships
?No data yet
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