Master of Leadership for Development

Introduction

Create change through collaboration

Learn to lead with confidence and tackle contemporary development challenges, working in partnership to find sustainable solutions.

This fully-online master's, delivered jointly with the University of Melbourne, focuses on the practical skills, global connections and collaborative outlook needed to make a real difference in the development world.

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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

Setting goals

Abhinav Nath wants to change society. Based in Gurgaon, India, Abhinav first pursued professional soccer, which took him first to England and then to the United States. After winning a partial scholarship to study at the University of Charleston and play for one of the best college soccer teams in the country, he began to realise his dreams lay elsewhere.

On his return to India, he became involved in education consultancy, first for an American firm and then one based in Singapore. Then in 2020, Abhinav started his own business helping students with overseas college and university admissions. He also works as an advisor at a non-profit school.

With an interest in international development, Abhinav wants to learn more in order to effect change in his home country of India. Close to his heart is women’s empowerment and how to break down barriers. A desire to tackle these inequalities led him to choose our Master of Leadership for Development.

Making real change

Abhinav was also drawn to this master’s as a step between his existing career and his desire to make an impact in development. “It sounded exciting. I have always been passionate to do something in the developmental sector, but I never had the courage to take that first step,” he says. For Abhinav, this master’s is just that. As a burgeoning entrepreneur, the focus on leadership further attracted him to this course.

International collaboration

Since starting in September 2021, Abhinav has enjoyed working with academics and other students to enhance his understanding and gain the tools to take into the development field.

“Interacting with professors is very exciting and I enjoy learning more about how some of our experienced faculty have gone about bringing change in their own communities and or the world,” he says. These interactive and international aspects of the course are also major bonuses for Abhinav. “We’re all coming from such diverse backgrounds – there is so much to learn from each other,” he says.

In his desire to make change in society, Abhinav accepts that there may be challenges ahead – and he hopes that this master’s will help him to meet those. “I want to develop a better understanding of how to bring about change in the developmental sector. While you may be very passionate to change something, maybe your society isn’t ready,” he reflects.

Inequalities and wellbeing

Abhinav hopes the collaborative aspect of the course will aid him in developing an organisation in his future career. “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,” he tells us.

We asked Abhinav how he manages his wellbeing. “Getting back to basics and simplicity really helps," he tells us. For Abhinav, staying connected is also very important. “Spending time with family and friends has allowed me to connect with people on a much deeper level,” he says.

Across the world, poverty, inequality and lack of access to healthcare have been thrown into focus particularly in recent years. Development leaders are working to alleviate these problems and Abhinav hopes to join to them.

Through studying the Master of Leadership for Development, Abhinav hopes to shine a light on the issues plaguing society and be an important part of tackling them. Building on his experience in education, he wants to create a curriculum about women’s issues to share with the network of schools built through his business. By focusing his development work on educating people about these injustices, Abhinav aims to spark societal change. For him, the Master of Leadership for Development is the way to start.

Key information

Delivery

100% online courses developed to fit around your lifestyle and circumstances.
Duration

Master’s - 24 month, part-time.
Enrolment dates

Master’s – Start your studies in September.
Application information

Start your studies in September. Complete the contact form below and we'll email you with the details about the course.
Workload

Approx 15 hours per week
Course director

Jaco Renken (Manchester), Natalie Cunningham (Manchester) and Violeta Schubert (Melbourne)

Fees and funding

This course is a joint master's with The University of Melbourne and The University of Manchester.

Fees for the September 2024 entry are $28,152AUD.

The University of Melbourne is managing the admissions process hence the Australian fee displayed on the website.

You can save up to 50% on your tuition fees. 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.

Explore a range of fee remissions, scholarships and bursaries available for this course below.

Find out more about fees and funding

Entry requirements

To apply for the Master of Leadership for Development you are required to have:

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.

Find out more about entry requirements

Contact us today

Complete the form below and our Course Advisor will contact you with the additional course information and relevant event invitations.

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If you are a resident of Australia or New Zealand, your enquiry will be forwarded to the University of Melbourne and someone from their team will be in touch with you soon.

Course overview

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Master of Leadership for Development

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.

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Why study Leadership for Development?

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

You will be studying course units from The University of Manchester and The University of Melbourne. Each institution is responsible for teaching three units over the two years.

You will be provided with a comprehensive set of course materials at the beginning of each course unit from the institution teaching the unit. These interactive, specially designed materials provide an introduction to the issues and skills central to each unit and direct you to other study components such as further reading.

Each unit is supported by a virtual learning environment (VLE) where you can access all course materials, online reading lists, podcasts, and the University's extensive online library . You will have an induction to the two virtual learning environments at the start of the course.

Course units:

Contemporary 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.

Contemporary Leadership

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.

Leading Development

This unit examines 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 aims to answer questions such as, how do I lead? It'll address management performance specific to the Development sector.

Organisation Development and Change

You'll focus on the organisational context where development leaders plan and implement change initiatives. It examines innovative strategies for training and developing leaders, as well as planning and implementing succession in global development sector organisations. You'll work in teams, applying lessons learned from this module in the analysis of real-world change scenarios and leadership challenges.

International Management and Development Innovation

You'll examine processes of internationalisation in private-and public-sector, multilateral institutions and non-governmental organizations, examining the challenges and opportunities for addressing global inequalities. You'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.

Leadership Skills in Action

You'll apply management and leadership knowledge and skills gained through the programme 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.

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

English language entry requirements:

Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the following language requirements:

1. 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

2.TOEFL internet-based test score of 90 or more overall, with a minimum writing score of 22 and no other subsection below 20, or

3. 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

4. Grade C in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, or

5. Grade A in the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English.

(agreed by Melbourne, but subject to finalization of joint regulations)

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

How to apply

As this is a joint degree with the University of Melbourne, when you apply you will be taken to Melbourne's online application form. A member of the Admissions team in Melbourne will be in touch with you soon.

Apply here

If you have any questions regarding the course, please contact us on studyonline@manchester.ac.uk

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.

Paying by instalments

You will be expected to pay for each taught subject/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.

Employer funding

If you are looking to secure funding from your employer, we can help you build a business case or talk to your employer directly. Contact us on studyonline@manchester.ac.uk to arrange a consultation.

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.

Reduced tuition fee - Early application deadline:

To be eligible for a reduced tuition fee, you will need to submit a complete application on or before the early application deadline date and if offered a place, accept your offer by the deadline in the offer letter (normally three weeks from date of the offer).

The University offers a one-discount policy. You will be awarded the discount that offers the largest amount.

Scholarships and bursaries

Alumni discount (15%): If you have successfully graduated from a degree at the University of Manchester, Melbourne or UMIST, you can receive a 15% alumni loyalty bursary

Early application discount 10%: Apply on or before 24 June 2024 to receive 10% reduction on your tuition fee.

Sustainable Development Goals Scholarship - A third off your tuition fee.

Deadline for submissions: TBC

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 excellenceStrong 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.

The University offers a one-discount policy. You will be awarded the discount that offers the largest amount.

Fees and funding

Fees for the September 2024 entry for Master of Leadership for Development are AUD$28,152

International fee remissions (50%)

The University of Manchester and The University of Melbourne’s co-taught and joint award program the Master of Leadership for Development gives students the skills and connections they need to make a real difference in the developing world. Our International 50% fee remission program empowers future leaders to deliver solutions globally within the development sector. These fee remissions are available to citizens of countries deemed low and middle income by the World Bank .

These fee remissions are 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 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.

Early application discount (10%): Apply on or before 24 June 2024 to receive 10% reduction on your tuition fee.

Alumni discount (15%)

One-discount policy : If you qualify for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.

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).

Introduction

Create change through collaboration

Key features

Learn on the job

Build a global network

Practise new skills

Abhinav Nath's story

Setting goals

Making real change

International collaboration

Inequalities and wellbeing

This degree is delivered in partnership with the University of Melbourne

Benefits of our collaborative approach

Key information

Fees and funding

Entry requirements

Contact us today

Course overview

Who this course is for

What you will learn

Where and when you will study

How it will benefit your career

Course units

Contemporary Development

Contemporary Leadership

Leading Development

Organisation Development and Change

International Management and Leadership

Leadership Skills in Action

Project

Course structure

Admissions information

Academic entry qualification overview

English language

English language test validity

How to apply

Advice to applicants

How your application is considered

Policy on additional costs

Regulated by the Office for Students