MSc Digital Development / Course details

MSc Digital Development will train you to become a digital development champion who possesses the necessary technical and contextual skills to lead digital development and information-and-communications-technology-for-development (ICT4D) programmes and projects to completion, such as ICT-enabled enterprise, e-government, m-health, MOOCs, etc. 

In recent years there has been - and continues to be - a massive expansion in the number of digital development projects in developing and transitional economies. 

With a skills shortage resulting in a high project failure rate, this course satisfies the pressing need for digital development champions. By taking this course, you will benefit from The University of Manchester's world-leading Centre for Digital Development and gain: 

• conceptual frameworks to understand the process of socio-economic development and the role of information and of digital technologies in the development process; 
• new knowledge and skills to help in the effective planning, development, implementation and management of digital development/ICT4D initiatives.

A range of optional course units provides an opportunity to satisfy specialist digital development champion knowledge and skill requirements, while the field visits that we normally offer will enable you to build up your real-world experience at no additional cost.

The course is designed for those applying, or seeking to apply, digital information and communication technologies in pursuit of socio-economic development goals. 

It will include those who have, or plan to have direct design and implementation responsibilities, project managerial responsibilities, or broader strategic or policy-related responsibilities. Typical participants include: 

• early-career professionals who have found themselves involved with digital development/ICT4D projects and want a period to reflect, learn and broaden their impact and career horizons; 
• technical staff involved with digital development/ICT4D projects who wish to add systems, managerial and development skills to their portfolio; 
• computing graduates who wish to make ethical use of their skills but lack the necessary understanding of systems and development.

• We're Europe's largest dedicated development research and teaching institute and have been at the  forefront of development studies for over 60 years .   
• We're ranked second in the UK and seventh in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
• We bring cutting-edge insights from our research into all our postgraduate teaching. Our courses bring different development perspectives and voices to Manchester, from  activists from the Global South  to the leaders of multinational companies.   
• We are home to the internationally recognised  African Cities Research Consortium ,  Effective States and Inclusive Development  and  FutureDAMS  research centres.  
• Students are part of our vibrant research community, including our public lecture series  which brings world experts, former heads of state, and leading development thinkers, to discuss current issues in development.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

The taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, are continuously assessed by a variety of methods (e.g., 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.