Masters Degrees (Global Development)

The political and social dimensions of religions are at the heart of this innovative programme, which explores the role of religions and theology in global development. You’ll consider religion as a resource, obstacle and participant in development, exploring the relationships between religions, aid agencies and local communities.

You will develop your understanding of both development and religious studies, as core modules introduce you to theories and issues in development and how they relate to developing countries across the Global South. In addition, you will choose from optional modules in each area, allowing you to specialise in topics such as the links between conflict or gender and development, or the role of religion in public life.

Drawing on sociological, historical, anthropological and political approaches, this diverse degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge to research the relationship between religions and development in a stimulating environment.

This programme is also available to study part-time over 24 months.

Course Content

This course is taught jointly by Theology and Religious Studies and the Centre for Global Development.
Across the year you will study a core module introducing you to theories and approaches in development studies, and how social, economic and political inequalities lay at the heart of development. In Semester Two another core module will focus on the complex relationships between religions and global development – the views of different religious traditions towards issues such as poverty, gender and welfare, and the roles they can play in development.

At the same time you will be thinking about your dissertation: an independent research project on a topic of your choice which allows you to demonstrate the skills and subject knowledge that you gain. You can choose to extend your dissertation if you want to go into even greater depth. You will submit the finished dissertation by the end of the programme in August.

You will also have other opportunities to specialise, as you choose from optional modules to focus on topics that suit your interests or career plans. In development studies, you’ll select from modules on topics such as democracy and development, or Africa in the modern world. If you opt for the standard dissertation, you’ll choose another module from religious studies.

If you decide to study part-time, you will study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

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Overview

Offered by the Workshop Theatre and Centre for Global Development, this unique degree will give you the skills to become a practical theatre facilitator, as well as an understanding of global development issues and their impact on the social uses of performance.

Core modules will develop your understanding of development studies, theatre and performance in the community. You’ll even get to complete a placement delivering workshops in a community setting such as a school or prison. In addition, you’ll choose from optional modules offered by our School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), allowing you to specialise in aspects of development studies that suit your interests or career plans.

You’ll be taught by leading researchers and experienced theatre practitioners in state-of-the-art facilities, but you’ll also get out of the classroom and into the community. It’s a great opportunity to prepare for a career in development and the arts, in the UK or elsewhere.

Course Content

From the beginning of the programme, you’ll explore applied arts practice by engaging with the work of thinkers such as Edward Said, Paulo Freire, Dorothy Heathcote and more to consider issues such as empowerment, training and funding, impact and sustainability. You’ll also gain an understanding of key issues and concepts in development studies through a core module that runs all year long.

In your second semester you’ll have the chance to start applying all you’ve learned, when you’ll attend an external placement to plan and deliver a series of workshops for a local community organisation of your choice.

Throughout the year you’ll also study a core module that develops your research skills and introduces you to the different methodologies and approaches in researching theatre and development. This will culminate in your dissertation, an independently researched project on a related topic of your choice which you’ll submit by the end of the year.

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OVERVIEW

Available routes: Finance MBA, Management MBA, Global Development and Comparative Law MBA, International Business MBA, International Sport Management MBA, Marketing MBA.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally recognised business qualification. The MBA is seen by many world-class business organisations as an essential passport that graduate students must acquire in order to enhance their managerial prospects/careers in a world characterised by strong global competition, new technological leaps, continuous change, corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethical and sustainable business management and the speed of change and its global nature.

Learning to manage in this business context requires new and higher levels of knowledge, business and personal skills. Hence, companies will continue to seek graduate MBA students with a view to renewing and refreshing their organisation and who possess the skills needed to implement change, to turn threats into opportunities and to sustain and improve their organisation’s competitive advantage.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Coventry Business School offers a variety of MBA degrees reflecting the research and teaching strengths of the Business School staff and based on the requirements of contemporary businesses. They range from the more general to the more industry or business specific with each carefully designed to cater for the career aspirations and backgrounds of the graduate student.
Students can choose an MBA from the following named routes:

Finance MBA - gain critical understanding and evaluation of the forefront of corporate finance theories and empirical evidence, furthermore to understand the critical nature of financial risk. Make sound financing, investment and asset valuation decisions with reference to the implications of the efficiency of capital markets. Evaluate alternative financing methods and distribution policies.

Management MBA - explain and evaluate different approaches to entrepreneurship and innovation, understand and be able to justify the need for change, creativity and innovation. Furthermore to apply economic concepts and the principles to resolve management challenges arising in different areas of decision making. Analyse the contemporary national and international macroeconomic environment.

Global Development and Comparative Law MBA - critically appraise the basic concepts and methodology of comparative legal systems and judicial styles, to demonstrate a critical awareness of the creation of intellectual property rights and knowledge of ways that fair commercial trade can be restricted by competition laws, Furthermore to demonstrate a thematic, conceptual and pragmatic understanding of the psycho-sociological imperative as a basis for governing within/across indigenous cultural geographies.

International Business MBA - appreciate the nature of global business activities and conduct a competitive analysis in order to select the best country market and identify and determine best entry mode strategy for the target country and develop the marketing plan. To analyse and critique a range of current and emerging global logistics & supply chain practices, trends and any subsequent issues that may arise. Also to gain comprehensive understanding of globalisation and its impact on logistics and supply chain management.

International Sport Management MBA - demonstrate an understanding of the organisation of sport, its variety across nations and sports, and evolution over time. Critically analyse governance issues and their implications for the management of sport. Assess the key stages in sponsorship management and to critically evaluate the use of sport sponsorship by sponsors and rights owners. Please note: this course is September entry only.

Marketing MBA - critically analyse and apply information on the business environment, markets and buyer behaviour, within the context of given international marketing situations and to propose and justify integrated marketing plans. Apply and synthesize principles and precepts of marketing management in operational marketing planning functions.

In short, the MBA is a means of enhancing your career prospects as well as ‘opening doors’ for future middle and senior managers; our aim is that the Coventry Business School MBA will enable you to meet your current and future career aspirations successfully and quickly.

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Programme description

This is a part-time, online programme taking a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the issues around international development and developing your capacity to address them.

Delivered through online distance learning, this Postgraduate Certificate programme – which can be combined to form an MSc degree – offers you an innovative route to gaining understanding and skills to address the complex, interrelated problems facing the world today.

The programme draws on the University’s best research and teaching to deliver a programme that is flexible, challenging and cutting edge in content, delivery and ambition.

You’ll examine a variety of case studies to shed light on strategies for addressing some of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Issues covered by this programme range from global governance, human rights and donor aid strategy, to global health challenges, climate change impacts and ecosystem management.

This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Development Academy.

Online learning

You will learn through a mix of online methods, including video lectures, study guides, self-directed and guided reading, and a range of interactive online reflection and discussion activities. You will be part of a vibrant and supportive virtual community.

Programme structure

MSc Global Challenges:
After taking this programme, graduates can also take two further postgraduate certificates in Global Environment Challenges and Global Health Challenges. Completion of all three certificates leads to an MSc in Global Challenges.

Learning outcomes

When you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate you will:

understand development issues and international development in comparative global perspective
be able to critically evaluate the factors shaping particular development processes and their outcomes
be able to apply theories and insights from scholarly research to practical issues and problems of global development practice and policy

Career opportunities

This programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for work with governments, NGOs, international aid organisations, United Nations agencies, the private sector, universities, other research institutions and elsewhere.

The transferable skills you gain in areas such as communication and research will give you an edge in the employment market, whatever your career.

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Are you a journalist or communications professional keen to learn more about contemporary global development issues? Are you a development practitioner or NGO staff needing to update your understanding of the media? Have you ever wondered how today’s NGOs are responding to the digital media revolution? Do you want to enrich your understanding of global development issues and produce informed yet critical news and information?

Are you interested in engaging with some of the most important topics in today’s globalised world while enhancing your analytical and media production skills? We will provide you with a conducive environment to learn about and participate in debates such as:

● What is the role of citizen journalists in mediating development news?
● How can ICTs contribute to development and development communication?
● How can we better understand and communicate the realities of globalisation and sustainable development?
● How can media production practices be critically informed?
● What are the dynamics linking conflict, religion, displacement and human insecurity?

● How does the media represent environmental issues?

The course will be headed by Susannah Pickering-Saqqa and Abel Ugba.

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Overview

In the wake of the 'global' economic crisis, this innovative new masters programme offers students the chance to explore alternative future possibilities for international development in theory and practice. Combining cutting-edge thinking on development, economic geography, political economy, labour studies and social change, we will help you explore the multiple connections (and disconnections) between countries of the Global North and Global South.

At the heart of this alternative development agenda, you will be encouraged to challenge the common use of Western historical experiences and categories as the universal templates against which the rest of the world is measured and found lacking. Instead, you will reconsider the diversity of populations, economies, urban centres, and governance practices in the Global South on their own terms - and in so doing, step outside the conventional lenses of mainstream development theory and the international policies they inform.

Our Global Development Futures MA is delivered through intensive small group teaching and close engagement with leading academics in the School of Geography's world-leading Economy, Development and Social Justice research theme.

Why study at QMUL Geography?

- Research excellence: Joining the School of Geography places you alongside academics that are actively developing and challenging contemporary thinking in this field. Almost 80 per cent of the School’s research outputs (books and articles) are rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) placing it 5th in the UK for this measure (REF2014)
- Employability: Students completing this programme will be well-placed to enter governmental, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and academic research roles.
- Field-based research: Students receive tailored research supervision and training suitable to their individual research interests. They are also given the opportunity to participate in an optional seven-day field trip to Mumbai, India, to further develop field research skills.
- Twilight teaching: Some optional modules will include evening classes (5-7pm) and intensive teaching periods will condense required attendance. Small group teaching will provide students the unique opportunity to work closely with leading academics in this field of study.
- Capital location: We're a School that cares about the world beyond the university, working with a range of community groups, artists, cultural and heritage institutions and policy makers, particularly here in east London. Our passion is to demonstrate through research and teaching the intellectual and political significance of geographical research and understanding. We encourage our students to become part of this vibrant intellectual culture.

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Overview

In the wake of the 'global' economic crisis, this innovative new masters programme offers students the chance to explore alternative future possibilities for international development in theory and practice. Combining cutting-edge thinking on development, economic geography, political economy, labour studies and social change, this exciting programme explores the multiple connections (and disconnections) between countries of the Global North and Global South.

At the heart of this alternative development agenda, students are encouraged to challenge the common use of Western historical experiences and categories as the universal templates against which the rest of the world is measured and found lacking. Instead, students will reconsider the diversity of populations, economies, urban centres, and governance practices in the Global South on their own terms - and in so doing, step outside the conventional lenses of mainstream development theory and the international policies they inform.

Global Development Futures is delivered through intensive small group teaching and close engagement with leading academics in the School of Geography's world-leading Economy, Development and Social Justice research theme.

This MRes is a pre-doctoral training programme taught in conjunction with the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP) and is an approved pathway for ESRC 1+3 PhD studentship funding and ideal for those seeking to work in a research-related role. The new MRes programmes from 2017 will be the same structure as the MA/MSc equivalent, but will include two compulsory modules: ‘Introduction to Social Science Research 1: Epistemology, Research design, and Qualitative methods’ and ‘Introduction to Social Science Research 2: Quantitative Methods and Data’. Please check the website at time of application for the latest module structure.

Why study at QMUL Geography?

- Research excellence: Joining the School of Geography places you alongside academics that are actively developing and challenging contemporary thinking in this field. Almost 80 per cent of the School’s research outputs (books and articles) are rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) placing it 5th in the UK for this measure (REF2014)
- Employability: Students completing this programme will be well-placed to enter governmental, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and academic research roles.
- Field-based research: Students receive tailored research supervision and training suitable to their individual research interests. They are also given the opportunity to participate in an optional seven-day field trip to Mumbai, India, to further develop field research skills.
-Twilight teaching: Some optional modules will include evening classes (5-7pm) and intensive teaching periods will condense required attendance. Small group teaching will provide students the unique opportunity to work closely with leading academics in this field of study.
-Capital location: We're a School that cares about the world beyond the university, working with a range of community groups, artists, cultural and heritage institutions and policy makers, particularly here in east London. Our passion is to demonstrate through research and teaching the intellectual and political significance of geographical research and understanding. We encourage our students to become part of this vibrant intellectual culture.

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About the course

Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute

The largest and fastest-growing cities in the world are in low and middle-income countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This new course explores the urban development and planning challenges faced by governments and people in these regions and provides you with the analytical and practical tools to address them.

The MA uses cutting-edge theories in both urban and development studies to engage with changes in the global south, including: the globalisation of production and consumption, rapid urbanisation, environmental change, and the spread
of new forms of governance.

Optional modules include a team-based student consultancy project for an external client in the field of international urban development. There’s also a field class in the global south.

The course is suitable for recent graduates and those with professional experience.

It’s excellent preparation for careers (or further research) in international development, urban governance, planning and environmental policy focused on the global south.

Where your masters can take you

Our graduates work in planning, real estate and related professions with private sector planning and real estate consultants, local authorities, policy analysts and international development and design agencies.

How we rate

The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) says we’re the best RTPI-accredited planning school in the UK. 85 per cent of our research is classed as ‘world-leading’ ‘internationally excellent’ with ‘outstanding impacts’.

How we teach

Nothing is more important to us than your career. We work closely with industry to make sure our courses are up-to-the-minute and relevant so you’ll learn the skills you need to make it to the top in your chosen profession.

You’ll go on site visits and and take part in exercises that simulate real global challenges. Past field trips have included trips to London, Seoul, Cairo and Istanbul. We also organise work placements with planning agencies.

There are lectures, seminars, computer workshops and tutorials. You’re assessed on your coursework and a dissertation.

Autumn semester

Core modules: Theorising the City in the Global South; Urban Development in the Global South; Ideas and Practice in International Development; Research Methods.

Spring semester

Core modules: Urban Design in the Global South; International Field Class.

Examples of optional modules

International Urban Development Consultancy Project; Sustainable Development: a critical perspective; Managing Cities: the Seoul case study ; Public Participation; Regional Policy and Governance.

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This programme examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the Global South and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting its societies – with a focus on key contemporary debates about Africa's politics, culture, society and sustainable development.

You’ll learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding development issues, as well as the inter-relationships between global, national and local actors in contested strategies for development.

You’ll also review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made by different development actors towards key international development goals.

You’ll explore controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges and analyse both the theories and realities of development, to understand the different approaches, practices and discourses involved.

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This programme examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the Global South and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting its societies.

You’ll learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding development issues, as well as the inter-relationships between global, national and local actors in contested strategies for development.

You’ll also review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made by different development actors towards key international development goals.

You’ll explore debates and controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges and analyse both the theories and realities of development, to understand the different approaches, practices and discourses involved.

Optional modules will also allow you to specialise in aspects of development that suit your interests.

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This programme examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the Global South and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting its societies – with a focus on education in development.

You’ll learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding development issues, as well as the inter-relationships between global, national and local actors in contested strategies for development.

You’ll also review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made by different development actors towards key international development goals.

You’ll explore controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges and analyse both the theories and realities of development, to understand the different approaches, practices and discourses involved.

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This programme examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the Global South and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting its societies – with a focus on gender issues in development.

You’ll learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding development issues, as well as the inter-relationships between global, national and local actors in contested strategies for development.

You’ll also review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made by different development actors towards key international development goals.

You’ll explore controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges and analyse both the theories and realities of development, to understand the different approaches, practices and discourses involved.

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This programme examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the Global South and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting its societies – with a specialist focus on how globalisation, international economic interdependence and the internationalisation of political structures and processes are changing politics globally.

You’ll learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding development issues. You’ll also review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made by different development actors towards key international development goals.

You’ll explore debates and controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges and analyse both the theories and realities of development, to understand the different approaches, practices and discourses involved.

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This programme examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the Global South and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting its societies. It also allows you to specialise in issues surrounding resource scarcity and depletion, and the challenges faced by oil and mineral-rich developing countries.

You’ll learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding development issues. You’ll review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made by different development actors towards key international development goals.

You’ll explore debates and controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges and analyse both the theories and realities of development, to understand the different approaches, practices and discourses involved.

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Do you want to know more about the reasons why people migrate from the Global South? Is it because aid and development initiatives fail to meet their stated goals?

Our interdisciplinary approach gives you a distinctive and critical grounding in international development and migration studies. Learning from our faculty who have detailed and extensive knowledge from working in the field, you’ll gain an advanced understanding of the complex relationship between migration and development.

You’ll benefit from our extensive, world-renowned expertise in international development and migration studies. You’ll become part of the research community of the internationally recognised Sussex Centre for Migration Research, located within the School of Global Studies.

This course is currently subject to validation, in line with our procedures for assuring the quality of our degrees. This means that some course detail may change. The validation process will be concluded before the course starts.

How will I study?

Across the autumn and spring terms, you learn through core modules and options. You also take a module that prepares you for further research and a professional career. This is delivered as a series of workshops including one that prepares you for your dissertation.

In the summer term, you undertake supervised dissertation work or a dissertation with placement.

You are assessed by term papers, unseen exams, a case analysis on research methods and a 10,000-word dissertation.

Scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals.

Chancellor's International Scholarship (2017)
-25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver
-Application deadline: 1 May 2017

ESRC 1+3 and +3 Scholarships (2017)
-A number of ESRC-funded standalone PhD and PhD with Masters scholarships across the social sciences.
-Application deadline: 30 January 2017

HESPAL Scholarship (Higher Education Scholarships Scheme for the Palestinian Territories) (2017)
-Two full fee waivers in conjuction with maintenance support from the British Council
-Application deadline: 1 January 2017

USA Friends Scholarships (2017)
-A scholarship of an amount equivalent to $10,000 for nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Masters degree course.
-Application deadline: 3 April 2017

Careers

This course prepares you for careers in the areas of:
-International organisations and NGOs
-Local government authorities
-Charities with a migration focus

You could also continue your studies with a PhD.

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