CAS ETH PGA – explore your programme
The CAS ETH PGA prepares you to lead in complex governance environments. You develop the skills to deal with change, make informed decisions and shape policies that have a lasting impact, while building an international network that supports you beyond the programme.
Today’s governance challenges require new approaches and capabilities. As policy environments become more interconnected, traditional tools alone are no longer sufficient. This interdisciplinary programme brings you together with professionals from around the world and equips you with the competencies to address governance challenges across sectors and levels.
With a strong focus on practical relevance, you learn to navigate competing priorities and contribute to effective and sustainable solutions in your professional context.
Applications now open
The next CAS ETH PGA starts in August 2026. Applications are open until 15 June 2026. Explore the admission process and requirements, and stay up-to-date on upcoming information events.
The programme at a glance
The CAS ETH in Public Governance and Administration combines a 15-day block course at ETH Zurich with an individual thesis. During the on-site phase, you engage in interdisciplinary modules, case studies and group assignments alongside an international cohort of professionals.
You develop practical tools for leadership and decision-making while exploring how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are shaping public governance. The thesis allows you to apply your learning directly to a practical governance challenge.
Who this programme is for
The CAS ETH PGA is designed for professionals working in governance-related roles or planning to do so in the future across the public sector, international organisations, NGOs and the private sector. It is particularly suited to junior- and mid-level professionals who are taking on greater responsibility and want to strengthen their ability to lead beyond their area of expertise.
You may be working at the interface of policy, administration or strategy, and looking to better understand how institutions function and how decisions are made. This intensive programme supports you in navigating complex environments, connecting different perspectives and contributing to effective governance solutions in your professional context.
“A wonderful experience - the CAS ETH PGA allowed me to deepen my understanding of governance and administration. The immersive learning environment and the exchange with professionals from different countries gave me valuable new perspectives.”Marco A. Carrasco-Villanueva, Professor and Researcher, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru
Scholarship
A limited number of scholarships are available to support outstanding professionals and foster a diverse, international cohort.
Financial support is primarily intended for applicants from low- and lower-middle-income countries. In exceptional cases, candidates from upper-middle-income countries may also be considered. Scholarships cover the programme fee and contribute to travel and accommodation costs during the on-site block course in Zurich.
Learning through simulation and collaboration
The programme begins with the 2030 SDGs Game, an interactive simulation that immerses you in the dynamics of sustainable development. Working in teams, you explore how individual decisions and collective action influence progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This experience forms the foundation for a group assignment, which runs throughout the programme. Together with other participants, you analyse a real-world policy challenge, apply good governance principles and the SDGs, and develop practical solutions. The collaborative format encourages you to combine perspectives, test ideas and learn from each other’s professional experience.
Programme structure
The programme is structured as a sequence of intensive modules organised into three interdisciplinary learning blocks: contemporary governance, public management and policy domains. Each block addresses a different dimension of public governance and administration, combining theoretical foundations with practical application.
Throughout the 15-day programme, you work on a group assignment that brings together insights from across the modules. Following the on-site phase, you consolidate your learning through an individual CAS thesis, applying the concepts and tools to a challenge in your own institutional or professional context.
In this block, you explore the foundations of governance in the 21st century. You examine how public institutions are organised and how legal and financial systems influence the way they operate. You also examine how governance operates across various levels – from local to global – and how international cooperation is guided by frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, you explore current challenges related to accountability, data and digital transformation.
Modules:
Introduction to Governance
Learn the core principles of governance and examine how public institutions operate across different national and international contexts.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Explore the SDGs as a framework for global cooperation and understand how they guide policy priorities and coordination across sectors.
Public Finance, Controlling & Accountability
Understand how public resources are managed and learn methods to ensure transparency, accountability and effective financial control.
Law & Evidence-Informed Policy Making
Explore how legal frameworks shape policies and learn how data-based evidence is used to design, implement and evaluate public decisions.
Digital Governance & Artificial Intelligence
Examine how digital technologies and AI are transforming public administration, including their ethical and regulatory implications.
The second block is designed to strengthen your leadership and management capabilities in professional environments. You develop practical tools to lead teams, effectively manage resources, communicate with diverse stakeholders and utilise both quantitative and qualitative data to make informed decisions in complex institutional settings.
Modules:
Data Science
Explore how data and analytics support evidence-informed policymaking and understand the opportunities and ethical challenges of using data in the public sector.
Negotiation
Learn practical negotiation approaches, explore how to manage complex stakeholder situations and reach effective agreements in governance contexts.
Leadership & Organisational Behaviour
Gain a deeper understanding of how organisations function and learn how to effectively lead teams in dynamic and politically sensitive environments.
Public Management & Finances
Explore how public institutions manage budgets and resources, and understand how financial decisions influence policy outcomes.
Public Sector Organisations & Strategies
Examine how public organisations are structured and evolve, and discover strategies for navigating changing institutional environments.
In the final block, you apply governance tools to a range of globally relevant policy areas. You explore sector-specific challenges and examine how policies are designed and implemented across different domains. By connecting these perspectives, you develop a broader understanding of how governance operates across sectors and refine your ability to make informed decisions in complex policy processes.
Modules:
Science & Technology
Understand how governance frameworks influence innovation and technological change, and how public policy shapes the development of new technologies.
Energy
Examine the transition to sustainable energy systems and learn how public institutions shape energy policy and long-term strategies.
Urbanisation
Explore the challenges of rapid urbanisation and how policies are designed and implemented in increasingly complex urban environments.
Education
Gain insight into how education systems are governed and learn about different models of delivery, including Switzerland’s dual education system.
Food Systems
Analyse global food systems and understand the governance challenges related to sustainability, food security and resource management.
Public Health
Learn how public health systems are organised and how policy frameworks support and protect population health.
Climate Change
Study the links between climate change and migration, and assess the implications of climate-induced mobility for policy and international coordination.
In the final part of the programme, you consolidate your learning through an interdisciplinary thesis linked to your institutional or professional context. You apply the tools and knowledge acquired during the programme to develop a practical and relevant solution to a governance challenge.
The thesis may address any topic related to the programme’s content, allowing you to focus on an issue that is directly relevant to your work or interest.
“Effective governance is key to addressing today’s public challenges. The CAS PGA creates a space where international perspectives, academic insight, and practical experience come together to strengthen responsible public leadership.”Robert Perich, Academic Director SSPG