Description
In these times of uncertainty and change, this masters degree in Global Development equips you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills, to investigate, analyse, evaluate and respond to the major global challenges of our times, including the challenges addressed within the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You'll have the opportunity to explore: migration, socio-economic security, environmental sustainability, technological innovation, the global politics of development, and the politics of doing development. You’ll also deepen your understanding of the issues of most interest to you by examining them through four cross-cutting challenges: conflict, governance, justice, and transformation. This will lay the foundation for you to undertake an independent research project. Supported by a dedicated supervisory team you will examine a development topic of your choice, deepening your knowledge, enhancing your skills and finding ways to have impact in a world of change, whilst helping you to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Overall, the MSc will enable you to build in-depth knowledge and understanding of key development issues, ideas and debates as well as an advanced capacity for critical and reflexive thinking, independent study and research, and collective dialogue and action.
Key features of the course
- Builds an in-depth understanding of globalisation, development theory, policy and practice.
- Enhances your ability to identify and analyse different forms of evidence, enabling you to intervene critically and confidently in development debates.
- Provides cutting-edge course materials that draw on the internationally recognised development teaching and research of our academics.
- Equips you with the essential skills for a career in development and related areas.
Planning your studies
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.
How long it takes
Most students study the MSc in Global Development part time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 16 – 20 study hours each week. You can however study Stages 2 and 3 simultaneously and complete within two years. This will require 26 – 30 study hours each week. We strongly recommend that you speak with a study adviser if you are considering doing this.
When you start this qualification with Understanding global development (DD870) and achieve a resubmission result outcome on your first submission, it will be possible to pass the module on resubmission and progress to Stage 2 in the same calendar year.
Career relevance and employability
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
- Field centre instructors
- Teachers
In addition, a significant number of postgraduate students choose to register for doctoral studies in a variety of specialised areas.
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits from the following:
| Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
| Stage 1 |
- Understanding global development (DD870)
This module introduces global approaches to contemporary development issues such as poverty, inequality and environmental sustainability, equipping you with the analytical tools to critically examine and respond to these challenges.
See full description
|
60 |
Oct 2026 |
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.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules for the qualification you will be awarded an MSc in Global Development. You will be entitled to use the letters MSc Glob Dev (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification