Managing Rural Development (MSc, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate)

Is this programme for me?

All countries are subject to continual social and economic change, and the rural sectors of developing countries are often pivotal to this process. In a context of increasing globalisation, an understanding of the underlying driving forces of this process and its consequences are critical. This programme provides graduates with an interdisciplinary base from which to approach the diverse issues involved in rural change.

Programme aims

The programme gives students the opportunity to develop:

a critical awareness of the social, economic and management issues underlying socioeconomic change
conceptual and analytical skills relevant to the social and economic dimensions of agriculture and related industries
a set of operational skills pertinent to working in the public, private or NGO domains
the ability to engage with, and influence, rational debates concerning the optimal direction of rural sector change
enhanced communication and presentation skills
the ability to access the rural development literature and to pursue effective research.

Programme summary

	You study	Study period	Cost (2010)
MSc	10 modules	2-5 years	£9,200
Diploma	8 modules	2-5 years	£7,215
Certificate	4 modules	1-5 years	£3,770
Short courses	Single modules are ideal if you're keen to update your professional knowledge, enhance your career or sample the programme. Short course students who subsequently register for either the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma will be credited with any modules completed successfully. In 2011, the fee per module is £960.

Career progression

Students on this programme have a wide range of backgrounds and may include (but are not limited to) agronomists, engineers, veterinary personnel, economists, anthropologists, sociologists, educationalists, health professionals, community development workers, managers, and others. Typically they will find work in:

development projects, typically focused on small farms and the households associated with these farms
aid agencies and NGOs concerned with rural change
programmes concerned with health, nutrition and other rural development issues
government ministries and other public sector organisations concerned with the rural sector
consultancies related to a wide range of government programmes.

Comprehensive study materials and support

For each module we send you detailed study guides, textbooks and supplementary study materials which may include computer software. Most module study guides are now provided in electronic CD-ROM format. Tutorial support is via an online learning environment and tutor-marked assignments. Increasing numbers of students participate in electronic seminars and other networked activities. This allows for a range of contacts and peer-learning possibilities that will help to enrich the distance learning experience.

Your time commitment

The study time required for each module is, on average, 7-8 hours per week over a period of 30 weeks (plus 4 weeks for revision).

Summary of key dates

Application deadline			30 November
Registration deadline			31 December
Programme starts			February
Examinations take place			October