Global Development Challenges PgCert (Online Learning) The University of Edinburgh

This is a part-time, online programme taking a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the issues around international development and developing your capacity to address them.

Delivered through online distance learning, this Postgraduate Certificate programme - which can be combined to form an MSc degree - offers you an innovative route to gaining understanding and skills to address the complex, interrelated problems facing the world today.

The programme draws on the University’s best research and teaching to deliver a programme that is flexible, challenging and cutting-edge in content, delivery and ambition.

You’ll examine a variety of case studies to shed light on strategies for addressing some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.

Issues covered by this programme include:

• global governance
• human rights
• donor aid strategy
• global health challenges
• climate change impacts
• ecosystem management

Online learning

Recognising the need for flexibility, our online programmes are an excellent way for those with professional or family commitments to gain a further qualifications with minimum interruption, or to introduce students to a virtual learning environment.

Our award-winning online learning technology is fully interactive, enabling you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

You will learn through a mix of online methods, including:

• video lectures
• study guides
• self-directed and guided reading
• a range of interactive online reflection and discussion activities

Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources but also become part of a vibrant and supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

When you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate you will:

• understand development issues and international development from a comparative global perspective
• be able to critically evaluate the factors shaping particular development processes and their outcomes
• be able to apply theories and insights from scholarly research to practical issues and problems of global development practice and policy

This programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to work with:

• governments
• non-government organisations (NGOs)
• international aid organisations
• United Nations agencies
• the private sector
• universities
• other research institutions

The transferable skills you gain in areas such as communication and research will give you an edge in the employment market, whatever your career.

Programme structure

The programme comprises two 20-credit core courses and 20 credits of elective courses. The core courses are:

• Global Development Challenges
• Analysing Development

After taking this programme, graduates can also take two further postgraduate certificates in Global Environment Challenges and Global Health Challenges.

Completion of all three certificates leads to an MSc in Global Challenges.

Curriculum

Year 1

• Global Development Challenges (Distance Learning)
• Analysing Development (Distance Learning)
• Displacement and Development (ODL)
• Sustainability and Social Responsibility (PG)
• Maternal and Child Health in a Global Context
• Global Challenges in Healthy Ageing
• Politics and Theories of International Development (Distance Learning)
• Dynamics of African Development
• Nutrition for Food Security
• Innovation in Sustainable Food Systems