Global Development

Entry requirements

We recommend that you hold a UK bachelors degree (or equivalent), or have had experience of working in a development 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).

Months of entry

October

Course content

The world is at a turning point. In these times of uncertainty and change, this postgraduate diploma provides you with an advanced grounding in the key theories, approaches and issues that are shaping contemporary global development and the global challenges we face. Drawing on important social science ideas, it introduces a conceptual framework for making sense of development. It employs this framework to examine six major issues: migration, socio-economic security, environmental sustainability, technological innovation, the global politics of development, and the politics of doing development. You’ll also have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the issue or issues of most interest to you by exploring them through four cross-cutting global challenges: conflict, governance, justice, and transformation. The diploma therefore enables you to identify and pursue your own interests in development while also enhancing your skills of critical thinking and independent learning and investigation.

Information for international students

This qualification can be studied from anywhere in the world.

Fees and funding

For more information about fees and funding, please visit The Open University website.