UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Social and International StudiesDepartment of Development and Economic Studies
MA in International Development Management
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal award: / Postgraduate Certificate in International Development Management
Postgraduate Diploma in International Development Management
MA in International Development Management
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level M]
Programme title: / PG Cert / PG Dip / MA in International Development Management
Duration: / 1 year full-time (2-5 years part-time)
Last updated : / July 2009
Introduction
The MA in International Development Management is at the cutting edge of development theory, policy and management. It provides students with the critical and analytical skills to enable them to operate effectively in international development environments. Covering macro and micro level perspectives, the degree offers rich insights into the challenges of contemporary development theory, policy and management. The course is structured around the compulsory core course, Issues in Development Theory and Policy, with flexibility built in through the optional course units chosen by students to meet their own objectives and interests.
Many DES postgraduates show a personal commitment to development and have some work experience in related areas of the public, private and voluntary sectors. They may see the degree as a means to change careers: to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and qualifications to become a development professional. Other Masters students may already have embarked on a career that has some involvement with international development. A high proportion of DES postgraduate students are from overseas, studying for a higher degree with the support of their employer. A DES postgraduate degree course provides the knowledge and skills required for advancement to more senior, specialist posts.
The Department of Development & Economic Studies (DES) is a multidisciplinary department within the School of Social and International Studies. The Department’s activities include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, short training courses for development professionals, overseas-based consultancy, training and research. Teaching staff have academic backgrounds in branches of economics and other social sciences, but they share some common areas of interest, including regeneration, globalisation, project and programme management, community development and organisational change. This particular programme is builds on considerable experience of capacity building a range of organisations in the public, private and third sectors. All DES courses have strong vocational and skill-based elements, in line with the University’s mission of ‘Making Knowledge Work’, and are designed to be relevant to contemporary issues and professions.
A.Programme Aims
The programme aims to enable you to:
Postgraduate Certificate
A1Develop your skills to enable you evaluate and apply theoretical concepts relevant to international development theory.
A2Develop your autonomous learning skills for lifelong learning.
A3Develop your personal and transferable skills in communication, research and planning
Postgraduate Diploma
A4Equip you with the knowledge and skills to develop and analyse international development policy and practice.
A5Equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a reflective and critical practitioner
MSc
A6Critically analyse current and emerging research and practice.
A7Critically appraise the nature of evidence guiding international development management.
A8Formulate and independently investigate a complex research question and communicate your findings at an advanced level.
B.Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
Postgraduate Certificate
LO1.Critically evaluate advanced theoretical concepts in international development theory.
LO2.Critically appraise the policy of global development institutions.
LO3.Evaluate complex information on a range of issues related tointernational development management.
LO4.Use initiative in self-directed learning and constructwritten argument
Postgraduate Diploma
LO5.Critically reflect on advanced concepts in international development policy and management.
LO6.Critically appraise current development policy and practice.
LO7.Develop a critical reflective approach to practice or policy-based intervention
LO8.Apply originality and creative problem solving in dealing with complex issues.
MA
LO9.Demonstrate a detailed and critical knowledge of current research and scholarship in a specialist area of international development management.
LO10.Identify appropriate research designs and methods for specific purposes and applications
LO11.Identify gaps and inconsistencies in the evidence base guiding policy and practice
LO12.Apply critical reasoning to the existing evidence base and scholarship
C.The Curriculum
Postgraduate Certificate
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodID-7018D / Issues in Development Theory / CORE / 20 / M / Semester 1
ID-7065D / Project Planning, Design and Appraisal / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 1
ID-7022D / Project and Programme Management / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 1
ID-7071D / Public Action / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 1
Postgraduate Diploma
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodID-7017D / Issues in Development Policy / CORE / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7072D / Human Resource Management and Development / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7091D / Project Management Skills / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7092D / Statistical Analysis for Development / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7029D / Project Appraisal and Economic Analysis / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7044D / International Economics / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7040D / Public Policy and Programme Management / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7084D / Working in the Third Sector / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
ID-7013D / Microfinance, Enterprise and Poverty Alleviation / OPTION / 20 / M / Semester 2
MA
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period / OccID-7060Z / Dissertation in International Development Management / CORE / 60 / M / DISS / C
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
D.Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies
Most teaching is lecture or group-based for taught course units, while individual supervisors provide specialist guidance during dissertation writing (starting in Semester 2). Hence, as the course progresses, the main learning method gradually becomes more individualised and student-centred.
You start the programme with an intensive induction week to develop your learning and personal development planning skills and to provide an introduction to IT and library resources. Additional group and one to one support is provided to individual students who require it. You will be introduced to academic writing, research and analytical skills as part of the preparation for writing your dissertation.
To ensure the systematic development of knowledge of key subjects, course units are assessed by a variety of assessments in addition to essays and formal examinations. Group work, where the assessment may be based on a report or a presentation, provides both team work experience and practice in different ways of expressing arguments and information. Some modules may also use problem-solving exercises or ask you to develop a portfolio of your work. Both assist you to develop your skills as an independent, critical and creative learner.
E.Assessment Regulations – Progression and Award
The full text of the Regulations Governing Postgraduate Awards is available on the web at
Masters/PgDip/PgCert Award
To be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate you must achieve at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to 40 Credits and at least 35.0% in individual units amounting to the other 20 Credits.
To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma you must achieve at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to 100 Credits and at least 35.0% in individual units amounting to the other 20 Credits.
To be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master you must achieve at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to 160 Credits and at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to the other 20 Credits.
If you achieve an overall weighted average of at least 70.0% at the initial attempt, including at least 70.0% at the initial attempt in any dissertation, project or major report, you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master with Distinction.
If you achieve an overall weighted average of at least 60.0%, including at least 60.0% in any dissertation, project or major report, etc., you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master with Merit.
F.Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.
G.Learning Resources
The Learning Support Services of the University of Bradford, comprising the Library the Computer Centre and the Career Development Service, provide comprehensive, user-friendly facilities for students. DES Students also have access to the School of Management Library, and to the Development Collection in the University Library, which consists of specialist materials relating to developing countries and international development. The University Library is a designated European Documentation Centre, with a comprehensive coverage of EU information.
The Learner Development Unit (LDU) also provides a valuable resource for you to improve your study skills.
H.Student Support and Guidance:
Support for you personally and in your course of study, will be provided both by the University and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on a range of learning issues and your course tutors will be available to consult on subject specific queries.
We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Students’ Union, through a system of course representatives and formal staff student liaison committees, so that any issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.
The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and Information Services will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and tourist information. International Students can access a range of additional advice and support services through the Student’s Union.
The University's Careers Development Service exists to provide you with information, advice and guidance to help with any aspect of your career planning. More specifically we can help you by providing information on finding work and further study; providing advice on how to write a CV and complete application forms and help you to prepare for interviews and be successful in getting into your chosen career. Career Development Services also provide career and skill development opportunities through a range of accredited career modules.
Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to everyone. The Disability Service can help by providing equipment and advice to help you get the most out of your time at Bradford and is a place where you can discuss any concerns you may have about adjustments that you may need, whether these relate to study, personal care or other issues. For more information contact the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739 or via email:
I.Education for Sustainable Development
The University of Bradford, and the School of Social and International Studies (SSIS), are committed to the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) set out in UNESCO’s definition(see
which include: interdisciplinarity; value-driven; critical thinking and problem solving; participatory decision-making; and applied learning which is relevant and culturally appropriate to local and other contexts.
In your programme you will find these principles underlie the teaching learning and assessment strategies. The subject matter of this programme is focussed on ‘development’ as a concept and therefore engages with debates around equity, social justice and the use of resources on a global level. We strive to ensure that students are able to become critical, independent thinkers who can apply knowledge and take action.In addition there are modules in which the themes and issues of ESD are particularly exemplified, such as:
- Issues in Development Theory engages directly with the theory of sustainable development and critiques more broadly the concept of ‘development’ as a whole.
- Issues in Development Policy takes a holisitic approach to the reduction of poverty and analyses policy and practice aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods.
We are also committed in SSIS to giving you opportunities to engage in debates about the meaning and future of Sustainable Development, as well as in the practice of ESD, for example, through volunteering on and off campus, by taking action in a series of activities as a School.
We strive to ensure that all students are able to become critical, independent thinkers who can apply knowledge and take action.For more information on Ecoversity activities throughout the university see
J.Further Information:
For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact Admissions.
The Admissions OfficeThe University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK / Postgraduate Admissions Office
Development and Economic Studies
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
/ +44 (0)1274 233979
The contents of this programme specification may change, subject to the University's regulations and course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
Appendix 1:Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment Map
Module / Learning Outcomes / Teaching / AssessmentIssues in Development Theory / LO 1,2,3,4 / Lectures/seminars / 100% 4000 word essay
Issues in Development Policy / LO 5,6,7,8 / Lectures/seminars/
groupwork / 80% 3500 word essay
20% Group presentation
Options / LO 4,8 / Lectures/seminars/
groupwork/work-based learning / Depends on options selected
Dissertation / LO 9,10,11,12 / Group lectures/seminars
Individual supervision / 25% 2500 word Research Proposal
75% 10-13000 word Dissertation
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