Online course
Master of Leadership for Development
- Qualification: Master's
- Duration: 24 months
- Delivery: Online, in partnership with the University of Melbourne
- Workload: Approx 15 hours per week
- Next enrolment: 28 August 2025
Introduction
Lead future change
Become a confident global leader driving sustainable change with our online Master of Leadership for Development.
Delivered jointly with the University of Melbourne, our programme equips you with practical skills, global networks, and a collaborative mindset to create lasting impact in the development sector.
Key features
Learn on the job
Combine your studies with your work and start implementing change from day one.
Build a global network
Learn from development colleagues in different settings across the world.
Practise new skills
Build on your practical experience in simulations of real-world scenarios.
Abhinav Nath's story
I am learning how to build a team together who believe in the same mission and also how to work with stakeholders to grow a non-profit organisation.
Abhinav Nath
Founder & CEO
NexTrack Consulting
This degree is delivered in partnership with the University of Melbourne
Benefits of our collaborative approach
- Draw on the combined strength of two world-class institutions.
- Get a global perspective on development issues.
- Learn from a joint team of international experts in the field.
- Build diverse relationships and open doors for the future.
Key information
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Delivery
100% online, developed to fit around your lifestyle and circumstances
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Duration
Master’s - 24 month, part-time
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Course start date
28 August 2025
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Application deadline
11 August 2025
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Apply
Find out how to apply and what documents to submit in the application and selection section
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Workload
Approx 15 hours per week
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Course director
Jaco Renken (Manchester)
Natalie Cunningham (Manchester)
Violeta Schubert (Melbourne)
Fees and funding
Total course tuition fees for entry in August 2025 are AUD$28,152.
This course is a joint master's with the University of Melbourne and The University of Manchester. The University of Melbourne is managing the admissions process hence the Australian dollar fee displayed.
You can save up to 50% on your tuition fee. Please see our fees and funding section below for more details.
We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with honours (minimum Upper Second (2:1) or international equivalent) and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience; or a H2B (70%) or equivalent at the University of Melbourne.
Jez Hunghanfoo - video story
There is a lot of work to be done in terms of human development and social justice and progress. I want to be making a contribution in that space for a long time to come.
Jez Hunghanfoo
Director of Communications and Engagement, Australian Law Reform Commission
Request information
Course overview
Who this course is for
If you want to reposition yourself to take up a leadership role in the development sector, but don't want to take time out from your important work to study, this fully-online master's course will support you to learn on the job.
If you already work in or alongside the global development sector – as a manager, planner, policy maker, consultant, educator, entrepreneur, researcher, or community advocate – develop your skills, transform your career with us and change the world for the better.
What you will learn
- Build your leadership capabilities, with strong foundations in sustainability and collaboration.
- Learn to effectively navigate the complex circumstances and challenges of contemporary development.
- Build practical skills for effective negotiation, diplomacy and cross-cultural communication.
- Champion positive, proactive and improved social transformation in a global context.
- Develop the digital competencies required in the modern development sector.
Where and when you will study
This fully-online, part-time master's means you can study from anywhere in the world and fit it around your day-to-day life. You will be expected to learn while you continue to work, and to use examples from your work throughout your study.
You will complete four taught units in year one, followed by two taught units and a research project in year two. You'll learn through interactive teaching and have plenty of opportunities to work collaboratively with your peers.
How it will benefit your career
- Build a professional network across the globe and be in prime position to hear about the latest international opportunities.
- Through our highly interactive teaching platform, you'll learn from the experiences of colleagues and your fellow students in diverse settings and gain a broader perspective.
- Hone your leadership skills and knowledge acquired through the course in your job from day one to start advancing in your role, working with complex stakeholders and organisations and beyond.
- Build your resilience and practise applying your skills in real-life scenarios so you're ready for the situations you'll encounter as your career grows.
Course units
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Contemporary Development
- Consider how the changing global landscape affects the context of current development challenges.
- Explore key development theories, paradigms and concepts.
- Examine the implications of shifts in power for development.
You'll examine the rapidly changing landscape of contemporary global development in order to provide the appropriate contextual background for the challenges currently facing leaders in development. This unit will explore the key development theories, paradigms, and concepts, as well as critically examine the implications of shifts in the global context for development institutions, programmes, and frameworks.
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Contemporary Leadership
- Study the key aspects of leadership theory, specifically the foundations of exercising influence, and the role of situational factors.
- Understand the different styles and models of leadership.
In this unit, you'll examine the key aspects of leadership theory, specifically the foundations of exercising influence, and the role of situational factors that affect it. Key themes include understanding of the different styles and models of leadership, the distinction between role of manager and leader, connection between leadership and political and organisational governance, issues of power, dependencies, accountability and responsibility and the requisite qualities of leadership.
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Leading Development
- Examine the distinctiveness of leadership in the development sector.
- Explore the changing meaning of leadership and implications of the post-heroic perspective.
- Draw on key concepts and context to develop a model for leading in a global context.
You'll examine the distinctiveness of leadership in the development sector. It critically explores the changing meaning of leadership and examine the implications of the post-heroic perspective on leadership for global development. It draws on the concepts and context of development and leadership fundamentals to develop a leadership reference model that is appropriate for effectively leading development in a global context. It particularly draws on a collection of teaching cases and practitioner insights.
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Organisation Development and Change
- Understand the organisational context of change initiatives.
- Learn theoretical foundations and practical interventions from applied behavioural science.
- Examine strategies for training leaders and succession planning.
This unit focuses on the organisational context where development leaders plan and implement change initiatives. Theoretical foundations are drawn from applied behavioural sciences, and cover interpersonal, group, inter group, and organisation-wide interventions to effect comprehensive and lasting change. It examines innovative strategies for training and developing leaders, as well as planning and implementing succession in global development sector organisations. Blending theory and practice, you'll work in teams, applying lessons learned from this module in the analysis of real-world change scenarios and leadership challenges.
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International Management and Leadership
- Understand the processes of internationalisation in multilateral institutions and NGOs.
- Examine the challenges and opportunities for addressing global inequalities.
- Explore global trends, including public/NGO-private partnerships, corporate social entrepreneurship, value chain arrangements and open innovation.
In this unit, you'll examine the processes of internationalisation in private- and public-sector, multilateral institutions and non-governmental organizations, examining the challenges and opportunities for addressing global inequalities. It'll examine global trends including the formation of public/NGO private partnerships, corporate social entrepreneurship, new forms of business models, value chain arrangements and open innovation.
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Leadership Skills in Action
- Apply new knowledge and skills to simulated scenarios.
- Practise the practical management of change and leadership in the context of real-life development challenges.
This unit will allow you to apply management and leadership knowledge and skills gained through the course using adaptive simulations. The focus will be on the practical management of change and leading through challenges and uncertainties all related to a specific challenge and context. The simulation of scenarios will take place over the 10 weeks of teaching. It'll give you big problem areas to deal with using your analytical and critical skills you’ll learn throughout the course.
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Project
- Undertake a research-based activity using the knowledge and skills you've acquired.
- Choose between a group project and an individual dissertation.
Course structure
This course is taught from a global, future-focused perspective, where you will explore key development theories, contemporary global issues in development, fundamental principles of leadership and the nuances of leading in development, the complexities of institutional structures and how to implement change within an organisational context.
With our focus on highly applicable skills and knowledge, you will also learn through interactive teaching the chance to experience and practice your developing leadership skills in real-world scenarios. You will complete four taught units in year one, followed by two taught units and a research project in year two. You’ll learn through a mix of interactive teaching and have plenty of opportunities to work collaboratively with your peers.
Course learning aims
You will critically analyse the complexities of institutional structures and power relationships. You will develop leadership skills in a highly-complex sector and will learn to be able to navigate and make change happen.
This course is fully online, yet highly interactive. You'll have the opportunity to network with other development professionals who work across the globe and in different sectors such as multi-lateral organisations including the World Bank and UN, governments, public and private sector organisations, NGOs and charities.
You'll apply your learning and practical leadership competencies directly into your workplace, using real-life scenarios and global case studies. This is at the core of this course and sets us apart from other development courses globally.
Key thematic streams that run throughout each subject unit allow you flexibility to develop or hone your skills within a specific area. While addressing important competencies such as communication, decision-making and self-reflection, the design of subject modules ensure exercises and assessments are as practical and applicable to your professional leadership aspirations.
You will acquire critical reasoning and analytical expertise to interpret complex development situations and attain practical management and leadership skills to champion positive, proactive, and improved social transformation in this global context. This knowledge, analytical expertise and practical skills can transfer to a range of roles across different sectors, organisations and settings.
Teaching and learning
The course consists of six core subjects and one capstone project. You will complete four units in year one and two units plus the project in year two. The course units are delivered by academics from across The University of Manchester and the University of Melbourne.
The course provides a completely online and flexible learning experience. All course materials will be readily accessible from a virtual learning environment.
Content will be delivered in a rich media format, incorporating sound and video materials such as case studies, real-life scenarios, expert interviews, and animations. Interactive online learning activities, including simulations, quizzes, and journals, will be integrated alongside collaborative activities. These will include synchronous sessions like conference calls and webinars, as well as asynchronous interactions through discussion boards and online chats. This dynamic approach will complement in-depth textual course content.
Technical requirements
Please review the technical requirements to prepare for a successful learning journey with us.
Coursework and assessment
Each subject or unit will include different types of assessment.
These may include written assignments, peer reviews, reflective learning, scenario simulation reporting, group work and how you engage and contribute to group discussions.
Admissions information
From your initial expression of interest right through to graduation, you’ll receive all the support you need. We can support you with enrolment and subject assistance, administrative logistics and fee options, online learning skills, workload management and special circumstances including a possible professional entry route.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
In order to be considered for entry, you must have completed:
- An honours degree in a cognate discipline (e.g. social sciences including anthropology; sociology; public policy; social policy; political science; media and communication; journalism; economics; management; population and global health; education; engineering; or architecture and public planning), or equivalent and at least two years of documented, relevant professional work experience, or
- an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline (e.g. social sciences including anthropology; sociology; public policy; social policy; political science; media and communication; journalism; economics; management; population and global health; education; engineering; or architecture and public planning), or equivalent, and at least two years of documented, relevant professional work experience, or
- a minimum of eight years documented, relevant professional work experience. Candidates entering through this route will be registered for the master's certificate under a probation arrangement. Failure to pass all master's certificate course units in the first year of study will disallow registration for a higher-level qualification.
Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.
In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance; and
- relevance of previous studies; and
- relevant professional work experience
English language
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the following language requirements:
- IELTS (Academic) Test score of 6.5 or more overall, with a minimum score of 6.5 in writing and a minimum score of 6.0 in the other subsections, or
- TOEFL internet-based test score of 90 or more overall, with a minimum writing score of 22 and no other subsection below 20, or
- Pearson Test of English score of 62 or more overall, with a minimum score of 62 in writing and a minimum score of 59 in the other subsections, or
- Grade C in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or
- Grade A in the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English.
(agreed by the University of Melbourne, but subject to finalization of joint regulations)
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
This first-of-a-kind, joint qualification draws on the combined strength of two world-class institutions: the University of Manchester and the University of Melbourne. The fully online course provides the flexibility to study around your commitments and complete the programme part-time over 24 months.
The course embraces action-based, reflective learning, facilitated through a comprehensive online platform, simulations, individual and group projects. The programme is designed to forge strong enduring networks among study fellows and alumni. Applicants from all disciplinary backgrounds are welcomed.
How your application is considered
When you submit your application, please provide a personal statement that outlines your personal motivation for pursuing the course in terms of future career ambitions, the nature of leadership/managerial experience and the relevance of prior qualifications in relation to this course, as it is keenly focused on the Development sector. We normally expect around 500 words.
An education selection committee from both institutions will meet regularly to discuss and make a decision on your application.
Scholarships and bursaries
Sustainable Development Goals Scholarship - A third off your tuition fee*
Deadline for submissions: 30 June 2025
A merit scholarship, open to all who can demonstrate their commitment to delivering against one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
We award these scholarships to support opportunities for talented individual interested in careers in development to learn from our experts and start, or continue, their journey into future development roles.
You will need to show:
- Outstanding academic excellence. Strong motivation and potential to their commitment to delivering against one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (current work experience in the development sector may be required).
- Determination to act as a role model for others in Development. The presentation should be a maximum of 6 pages/slides.
- You will not deliver your presentation orally therefore think of the presentation as a ‘story book’. You are welcome to use diagrams, photographs etc., to illustrate your messages. We will evaluate the presentation on the content, showing how you meet the scholarship criteria, not on technical expertise.
Please submit your Sustainable Development Goals scholarship application to: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au .
*One-discount policy : Discounts and scholarships are not accumulative. If you qualify for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.
Fees and funding
Total course tuition fees for entry in August 2025 are AUD$28,152.
This course is a joint master's with the University of Melbourne and The University of Manchester. The University of Melbourne is managing the admissions process hence the Australian dollar fee displayed.
Tuition fee discounts*
- Application discount (10%): Apply on or before 30 June 2025 to receive 10% reduction on your tuition fee. To be eligible, you will need to submit a complete application on or before 30 June 2025 and if offered a place, you will need to accept your offer within two weeks from the date of the offer.
- Alumni discount (15%): If you have successfully graduated from a credit-bearing qualification at the University of Melbourne or The University of Manchester, or UMIST, you can receive a 15% discount on the tuition fees that you are personally funding.
International fee remissions (50%)*
Our International 50% fee remission programme empowers future leaders to deliver solutions globally within the development sector. Fee remissions are available to citizens of countries deemed low and middle income by the World Bank .
Designed for academically excellent students with the potential to make a significant contribution to development in their home countries and around the world. They cover 50% of tuition fees for eligible students studying the Master of Leadership for Development (online) co-taught between the University of Melbourne and the University of Manchester.
The fee remissions are intended for those who cannot otherwise afford to study at the University of Melbourne or The University of Manchester. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity. All eligible applicants with citizenship from an eligible country are automatically considered on merit for the fee remission when they submit their application for the course.
Sustainable Development Goals Scholarship (A third off your tuition fee)*
Please see our scholarships and bursaries section for details.
*One-discount policy : Discounts and scholarships are not accumulative. If you qualify for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.
Payment by instalments
You will be able to pay for each unit as the unit starts at the beginning of each study period. This will take place in September, November, February and May of each year you study with us.
Australian Fee Places
When you apply, you will automatically be considered for an Australian fee place if you meet course entry requirements.
Learn more about Australian Fee Places .
FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP can cover all or part of your tuition fees. The Australian Government pays the amount of the loan direct to the University. You’ll make repayments through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) whenever your income is above the threshold.
The Government’s Study Assist website provides more information about FEE-HELP.
Other financial assistance
The University of Melbourne's Student Financial Aid Service can provide you with advice and information on student loans and bursaries/grants, cost of living, budgeting and tax advice.
Additional cost information
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.