MSc NGO and Development Management
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Politics and International Development
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
This established course, which has been running for ten years, examines the central issues facing developing countries in today’s globalised world, giving you the skills for a job in development and the wider sectors.
Our aim is to make you an informed and critical development practitioner. You will be equipped with all the practical skills that are demanded by development agencies. You will also gain insight across the wider picture, understanding how developing countries can progress and how the poor can be mobilised to escape from the poverty trap.
The course also explores how NGOs can play a key role in promoting social and economic progress and you will develop the ability to identify, design and implement programmes with a view to engaging with and enhancing the situation of the poor.
Our students and staff are a diverse group from different backgrounds and your tutors have expertise in many key development regions and countries from South Asia and Latin America to Middle East and Africa.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreAccredited by the IAC/EADI
The International Accreditation Council for Global Development Studies and Research is considered the gold standard in the quality of Global Development postgraduate training programmes.
Academics who have real-world experience
Our staff are actively involved in development work and research around the world and we have an alumni network of former students who are working in NGOs or have set up NGOs themselves.
Opportunities for placements through our networks
Our wide-ranging contacts enable us to facilitate placement opportunities in development agencies and aid and relief organisations as well as in the voluntary sector.
Dorothy Princess Nalule
MSc NGO and Development Management
Doing this master’s course has enhanced my skills in project and programme design and broadened my understanding of development studies and development issues. I can now apply for jobs from a wider base and with the skills I gained, I can also apply for positions that I could not apply for before.
What we're researching
When you undertake one of our master’s courses you’ll be taught by research-active, well-published academic staff who are experts in their field.
Our academic team are actively researching the key issues of today’s globalised world, such as fair trade and wellbeing, justice and natural resource extraction, comparative perspectives of urban deprivation and gender and development.
We are engaged in cutting-edge research in the area of post-human approaches to international relations, ‘the post-human way of war’, gender power systems of conflict and violence, psychosocial aspects of forced displacement, digital diasporas, social capital and integration.
Our staff also have regional expertise and excellent contacts in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and Western Balkans.
We have a number of research centres and groups in the area of global studies and run many research seminars and events. All of our postgraduate students are welcome to become part of our vibrant research community.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Per 30 credit module
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA page for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Entry requirements
We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and Maths.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear commitment to engaging with the developing country contexts, issues and concerns. Experience in NGO's within the UK or overseas at time of application is welcomed.
Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course.
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
Global Development Now (Mental Wealth) (core)
Project and Programme Design for Development (core)
Research Methods (core)
Policy and Practice of Humanitarianism and Development (core)
Independent Applied Research Project/Dissertation (core)
Sustainability and the Commons (option)
Conflict, Displacement and Human Security (option)
Forced Migration in the Global Era (option)
Quantitative Data Analysis (QDA) (core)
How you'll be assessed
We will assess you through a variety of ways including essays, briefing papers and report writing, collaborative and individual presentations, and unseen examination. You will be encouraged to conduct fieldwork on a particular topic of your choice for your dissertation, providing the opportunity for focused independent research
Course specificationHow you'll learn
Students on this course have varied backgrounds and experience in development and our academic team are committed to tailoring their teaching to your needs.
In addition to attending lectures and seminars, you will have access to specialist teaching staff with expertise relating to a range of different contexts and NGOs.
For example, Professor Massimo De Angelis is interested in the need to seek alternatives to current profit-driven processes because he believes they are ecologically unsustainable, while Dr Rob Ahearne's expertise and research specialism is in East Africa.
Dr Meera Tiwari's regional specialism, within a multidimensional poverty lens, is South Asia, but in recent years she has extended her research to rural Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Dr Susannah Pickering-Saqqa has extensive experience of project management and programme design and has recently undertaken research on Oxfam’s UK Poverty Programme.
Dr Katie Wright specialises in Latin America while Dr Kathryn Kraft's regional expertise is in the Middle East, with a focus on the faith based organisations.
Our staff’s range of contacts in NGOs and links with former students, some of whom have set up their own NGOs since graduating, will facilitate your work placement in the UK, Africa, Asia or Latin America.
“You will have access to advice from NGO and development experts even before you have decided to come to UEL,” says Dr Tiwari.
“Our network of contacts in NGOs and our teaching will give you all the practical skills you need for a development role in the future.”
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What you'll learn
The course consists of four modules and a dissertation. The full-time MSc takes one year to complete and the part-time course is completed over two years.
You will learn about development management in the international context and the impact of globalisation. We focus on public management and the role of aid agencies and NGOs in development and encourage you to gain general conceptual, critical and evaluative skills.
Our Project and Programme Design module will give you insight into a range of approaches to development interventions, including design, implementation and management.
The course introduces design methods used by NGOs and aid agencies as well as important issues such as sustainability and alternatives to the project approach.
We will also teach you how to examine rationales for research and a range of investigative techniques. This will help you prepare for your dissertation in which you will demonstrate your ability to use theories from earlier modules alongside your own research findings.
Your future career
This course has a strong focus on employability and is specifically designed to give you the skills to work for development agencies, NGOs and in the wider development sector.
The experience and contacts of our staff will help you set up placements in the UK, Africa, Asia or Latin America and gain more understanding of how the sector works.
You will gain the experience and knowledge either to further your career in NGO and development management or to use your skills within the area to enhance the role you are already playing.
Our students who have worked in the field before have found that after the course they are in a much better position to apply for more senior jobs across the development sector with the extra practical and critical thinking skills they have developed.
If you have not been involved in NGOs or development management previously, the course will give you the knowledge and practical skills which are highly sought after by development agencies.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
