Global Development

In these times of uncertainty and change, this masters degree in Global Development equips you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills, to investigate, analyse, evaluate and respond to the major global challenges of our times, including the challenges addressed within the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You'll have the opportunity to explore: migration, socio-economic security, environmental sustainability, technological innovation, the global politics of development, and the politics of doing development. You’ll also deepen your understanding of the issues of most interest to you by examining them through four cross-cutting challenges: conflict, governance, justice, and transformation. This will lay the foundation for you to undertake an independent research project. Supported by a dedicated supervisory team you will examine a development topic of your choice, deepening your knowledge, enhancing your skills and finding ways to have impact in a world of change, whilst helping you to achieve your personal and professional goals.



Overall, the MSc will enable you to build in-depth knowledge and understanding of key development issues, ideas and debates as well as an advanced capacity for critical and reflexive thinking, independent study and research, and collective dialogue and action.

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits from the following:



Stage 1

Understanding global development (DD870) 60



Stage 2

Key challenges in global development (DD871) 60



Stage 3

Researching global development (DD872) 60



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.

We recommend that you hold a UK bachelors degree (or equivalent), or have had experience of working in a development-related agency (international or local), in either a paid or voluntary capacity, prior to starting this qualification. However, these requirements are not compulsory and you will not be required to provide any supporting documentary evidence.



Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details. If you’re not sure whether your English skills are good enough, there is some help and guidance at our Skills for OU Study website.

3 years part-time study



How long it takes

Most students study the MSc in Global Development part time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 16 – 20 study hours each week. You can however study Stages 2 and 3 simultaneously and complete within two years. This will require 26 – 30 study hours each week. We strongly recommend that you speak with a study adviser if you are considering doing this.



When you start this qualification with Understanding global development (DD870) 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.

See Course Web Page link for next start date.

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.