MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects / Course details

MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects is taught by the Global Development Institute, Alliance Manchester Business School and the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering.

The course combines the strength of the disciplinary excellence of each, exploring international development management focused on both infrastructure capacity and on social and economic development.

The course is designed to provide you with:

• analytical capacities, knowledge and skills necessary to propose, plan, implement, manage and evaluate development projects;
• enhanced competence in relevant functional areas of development management and the specialist roles of the development practitioner;
• appreciation of the core roles of diagnosing, monitoring and intervening when proposing, managing and evaluating projects;
• insight into and practice of specific people management skills of facilitation, emotional intelligence, conflict management and organisational politics.

• 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 7th in the UK and 11th in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
• Our research was ranked first in the UK for impact and second in the UK for quality in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014).
• We are proud to tackle global inequalities and rank first in the UK for our impact on the Sustainable Development Goals ( THE Impact Rankings 2020 ).
• 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 Effective States and Inclusive Development and FutureDAMS research centres.
• Students are part of our vibrant research community this includes our public lecture series which brings world experts, former heads of state, and leading development thinkers, to discuss current issues in development.
• We have numerous scholarship opportunities for outstanding applicants.

Please note that field visits may be scheduled at any point during the course, including during University vacations. You are expected to be available to attend.

Part-time students complete the course over 24 months. There are no evening or weekend course units available; you should, therefore, discuss course requirements with the Programme Director and seek approval from your employer. Timetabling information is usually available from late August. You can discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.

The School of Environment, Education and Development aim to run advertised fieldwork in the 21/22 Academic Year and we very much hope that students will be able to enjoy the fieldwork experience in the usual way.

The ability of fieldwork to proceed, and whether any changes to proposed fieldwork might be necessary, will remain subject to the current global situation and factors such as the:

• rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• outcome of any risk assessments conducted by the University;
• educational value and student experience of the fieldwork, if significant changes to the proposed fieldwork would be necessary;
• availability of appropriate insurance cover; and
• availability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs.

We will therefore assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any decisions to our students at the earliest possible opportunity. Any fieldwork that does go ahead will be subject to a rigorous risk assessment process and the implementation of any protective measures identified by the risk assessment to ensure the health and safety of all of our students and staff. If the fieldwork does not go ahead as planned then the School's focus will be on seeking to offer a suitable alternative and ensure that the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) of the programme are met.

The taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (eg 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.

'I chose to study at The University of Manchester because of its academic excellence particularly in the field of development and its profound ranking and reputation at global level. In my country, Ethiopia, The University of Manchester is known for being one of the giant academic institutions of UK that many people dream of joining.

The GDI lecture series where big time personalities such as renowned politicians, authors, industry leaders and former prime ministers are invited to share their experience on certain topics was among the most inspiring experiences I witnessed in the university.

Thanks to my course, I know how to produce high quality academic journals and how to manage development projects professionally and my first ever academic publication has been realized few months after my graduation.'

Dawud Mohammed Ali, MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects