Global Development

Postgraduate Diploma in Global Development
This postgraduate diploma provides a thorough grounding in the key theories, global approaches and challenges that are shaping contemporary development. You'll explore the major development issues of our times such as environmental sustainability, socio-economic security, migration, technological change, and the politics of development. In the process, you'll have opportunities to tailor your learning around development issues of particular interest to you, enhancing your skills of independent learning and investigation.

Key features of the course
• Explore the global context and nature of contemporary development challenges.
• Gain an understanding of the conceptual framework for key development theories, approaches and issues.
• Investigate global development challenges and cross-cutting issues including conflict, justice and governance.
• Study with cutting-edge course materials created by our academics that uses their internationally recognised development research.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 120 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) presented on the award winning FutureLearn platform. With an emphasis on development as practice, you'll 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

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

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.

If you are not sure about your suitability to study this qualification, please contact us for advice before registering.

2 years.

How long it takes
You can gain this qualification in two years by studying 60 credits a year. To achieve this you should expect to devote 13 – 15 hours each week to your studies.

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.