MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects

Course overview

• Enhance your competency in functional areas of development management and the specialist roles of development practitioners.
• Gain the knowledge and skills to propose, plan, implement, manage and evaluate development projects.
• Get an insight into the people management skills of facilitation, emotional intelligence, conflict management and organisational politics.
• Appreciate the core roles of diagnosing, monitoring and intervening when proposing, managing and evaluating projects.

Open days

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses.

On this day, you will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development and our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see  Open days

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2019, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £11,500 
• International students (per annum): £20,000
• MSc (part-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £5,750 
• International students (per annum): £10,000

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Scholarships/sponsorships

We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.

In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class Bachelors degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught masters course.

For more information, see Fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .

Entry requirements

_{English language}

Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:  

• IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 in the written section and 6 in the other subsections 
• TOEFL internet-based test score of 90 or more overall, with a minimum writing score of 22 and no other subsection below 20
• Pearson PTE overall score of with a minimum score of 59 in the written section and 51 in all other subsections 
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) overall score of 176 or above, with 176 in writing and no sub-section below 169 -OR- Grade C if taken before January 2015

We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you may be required to attend a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester, or to demonstrate an improvement in your language scores prior to the start of your course.

_{English language test validity}

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

_{Other international entry requirements}

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see Accepted entry qualifications from your country

_{Relevant work experience}

At least one year's relevant work experience is normally required.

Exceptionally, candidates without work experience but with a stated commitment to the sector may be admitted.

_{Professional entry qualification}

If you do not meet our academic entry qualification criterion, your admission may still be approved if satisfactory evidence of postgraduate study, research or professional experience can be provided.

Application and selection

_{How to apply}

Apply online

_{Advice to applicants}

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English please provide official translations;
• two written references, one of which should be familiar with your academic work, signed, dated and stamped by the referee and on official headed paper;
• a personal statement (maximum 500 words) detailing why you wish to study the course, your experiences, what you can bring to the course and any other information that you see as relevant to your application;
• your CV;
• copies of English Language Certification, eg IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents, as the delay caused in having to seek any missing documents from you might adversely prejudice your application.

Teaching and learning

Please note that field visits may be scheduled at any point during the course, including during University vacations. You are expected to be available to attend.

Part-time students complete the full-time programme over 27 months. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme, therefore if you are considering taking a programme on a part-time basis, you should discuss the requirements with the Programme Director and seek approval from your employer to have the relevant time off. Timetabling information is normally available from late August from the Programme Administrator and you will have the opportunity to discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.

Coursework and assessment

The taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (eg project-based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.

You must also complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Programme Directors. You are encouraged to base your dissertation on topics of direct professional concern.

Career opportunities

The Global Development Institute (GDI) will equip you with the skills for specialist positions in development-related NGOs and public and private organisations. Potential careers include:

• international development;
• non-governmental organisations;
• central and local government;
• project implementation;
• consultancy;
• charity;
• urban and regional development policy;
• human resources;
• education;
• information and communication technologies;
• project management;
• research.

Visit the MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects page on the University of Manchester website for more details!