Global Development

MSc in Global Development
The MSc in Global Development is an innovative, interdisciplinary and flexible course that equips you with the knowledge and skills to investigate, understand, and respond to key development challenges. You'll critically examine development theory, policy and practice across a range of issues. These include environmental sustainability, socio-economic security, global migration, conflict, and the changing politics of development. You also build your capacity for critical and reflexive thinking, independent study and research, and collective dialogue and action.

Key features of the course
• Build an in-depth understanding of development theory, policy and practice.
• Enhance your ability to identify and analyse different forms of evidence, enabling you to intervene critically and confidently in development debates.
• Equips you with the essential skills for a career in development and related areas.
• Study with cutting-edge course materials that draws on the internationally recognised development teaching and research of our academics.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits and there are two routes to achieving this with a choice of modules at Stage 1.
Route 1 begins with Understanding global development (DD870) which critically interrogates global approaches to contemporary development and sets these in the context of the evolution of development thinking and practice.

Route 2 begins with Global development in practice (D890) which is presented on the award-winning FutureLearn platform. With an emphasis on development as practice, this module helps you discover, critically analyse, evaluate, and apply the key tools and techniques needed by a development manager or practitioner.

Route 1
Compulsory modules
Stage 1
Understanding global development (DD870) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

Stage 2
Key challenges in global development (DD871) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

Stage 3
Researching global development (DD872) NEW 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

Route 2
Compulsory modules
Stage 1
Global development in practice (D890) 60
Next start: 03 Oct 2022

Stage 2
Key challenges in global development (DD871) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

Stage 3
Researching global development (DD872) NEW 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

How long it takes
Most students study this qualification in three years by studying 60 credits a year. To achieve this you should expect to devote 13 – 15 hours each week to your studies. You can however study Stages 2 and 3 simultaneously and complete within two years. This will require you to be able to devote 26 – 30 hours each week to your studies. We strongly recommend that you speak with a study adviser if you are considering doing this.

If you start this qualification with Understanding global development (DD870), Route 1, and achieve a resubmission result outcome on your first submission, it will be possible to pass the module on resubmission and progress to Stage 2 in the same calendar year.

If you start with Global development in practice (D890), Route 2, this module is designed for the FutureLearn platform and it offers a different model of learning and timescales. This means that if you achieve a resubmission result outcome on your first submission, it will not be possible to pass Stage 1 and progress to Stage 2 in the same year. You will need to wait until October of the year following your first submission to start DD871.

2 - 3 years.

How long it takes
Most students study this qualification in three years by studying 60 credits a year. To achieve this you should expect to devote 13 – 15 hours each week to your studies. You can however study Stages 2 and 3 simultaneously and complete within two years. This will require you to be able to devote 26 – 30 hours each week to your studies. We strongly recommend that you speak with a study adviser if you are considering doing this.

If you start this qualification with Understanding global development (DD870), Route 1, and achieve a resubmission result outcome on your first submission, it will be possible to pass the module on resubmission and progress to Stage 2 in the same calendar year.

If you start with Global development in practice (D890), Route 2, this module is designed for the FutureLearn platform and it offers a different model of learning and timescales. This means that if you achieve a resubmission result outcome on your first submission, it will not be possible to pass Stage 1 and progress to Stage 2 in the same year. You will need to wait until October of the year following your first submission to start DD871.

Career relevance
Development scholars and practitioners are highly employable social scientists. They go on to a wide range of destinations after graduation, including:
• Development Managers
• Government policy makers
• Development consultants
• Business managers
• Environmental consultants
• Data analysis and visualisation using development techniques
• Transport planners
• Commercial analysts
• Financial services
• International Development
• Field centre instructors
• Teachers

In addition, a significant number of postgraduate students choose to register for doctoral studies in a variety of specialised areas.