European states are in the midst of an era of transition in systems of public administration. Member States are faced with significant developments: welfare state reform, a globalising economy, technological innovation, demographic change, urban regeneration, Europeanisation and, in the case of CEE countries (well-represented in the consortium), the transition towards a different type of regime. As a consequence, they face hard challenges with respect to their systems of public administration. It calls for a new type of public official, who retains the best qualities of the Weberian model, but is also schooled to deal with complex and changing administrative systems; trained in areas beyond the traditional public administration curriculum and with a good working knowledge of international developments, especially in the European Union. The master programme IMPACT will make students familiar with different types of challenges and disciplinary perspectives. The programme spans two years and students will spend at least one semester at each of the participating universities. This truly European design sets IMPACT apart from other English-language programmes in public administration. IMPACT not only takes a broader, pan-European perspective, but also adopts a dynamic approach by focusing on processes of transition and reform in contemporary public administration, rather than on a particular set of (European or national) institutions. Students will participate in a curriculum that addresses the major challenges of modern public administration. They will acquire theoretical and empirical knowledge on transition and reform, develop various skills, and engage in direct interaction with government representatives and professionals in the public sphere, through seminars, excursions and projects. All partners have a combination of expertise in higher education, academic research and applied research, which means that they can offer students a thorough and varied package of instruction.By virtue of its intensive methods, its focus on key issues of contemporary European public administration, its international design, and its close contacts with stakeholders, IMPACT aims to establish a life-long learning community of professionals in public administration that work closely together to improve the quality of their field.