International Development MRes Development Practice

Overview

MRes Development Practice

* Please note that the two year part-time MRes Development Practice is not scheduled to run in 2012/2013, but we intend for the course to run again in 2013/14. If you are interested in applying for September 2013, please contact the Course Director Dr Kathleen Fincham to register your interest or ask for more details.

The degree will particularly appeal to those working within an international development or humanitarian organisation, such as an NGO or charity who wish to reflect more deeply on their applied work, but may also appeal to those working in institutions that engage more directly with communities in a development context. Training and skills in research methods are an integral part of the study programme. Students will be provided with the opportunity to explore the different methods used to conduct a research project relevant to an issue of particular interest within their own working environment or that of their employer. Whilst undertaking their research, students will use a variety of evaluation methods, and learn to appreciate the value of theory in development and its use in improving their own practice and work.

The components of the course will be delivered through distance learning (ICT-supported). Over two years, students will undertake a phased series of research modules and student-led research projects, culminating in an independently researched output at the end of the second year. Teaching and learning will be delivered through resource packs, downloadable materials, colloaborative learning and one-to-one communication with an allocated supervisor. Assessment will mainly be by written assignments, including a literature review, a research proposal, a policy analysis and the independent research project. Final assessment will be in the form of a fieldwork-based independent research project.

Who is the Course for?

Applicants for the MRes programme should have a good first degree in either the social sciences or science and have some experience of working in development practice. It is preferable that they are currently working in development practice.

Applicants must also have basic computer skills (word processing, e-mail) and regular access to a computer with CD/DVD and the internet.

Progression to PhD

Students performing well on the MRes programme will be encouraged to proceed to MPhil/PhD level.

Programme Structure (over two years)

Block 1: September-August

Students must take three Compulsory modules:

Introduction to Social Science Research (20 credits)
Introduction to Research Methods (20 credits)
Introduction to Development Fieldwork (20 credits)

Block 2: September-February

Students must take the following Compulsory modules:

Research Project 1: Organisational Context and Policy Analysis (20 credits)
Research Project 2: Instrument Design and Piloting (20 credits)
Research Project 3: Final Literature Review and Research Proposal (20 credits)

Block 3: March-September

Students must take the following Compulsory module:

MRes Development Practice Independent Project (60 credits)

Distance learning support is provided throughout to enable study on the modules, and to support the work on each of the research projects.

International Development Research Groups

Research in the School of International Development addresses contemporary challenges in developing and transition economies via disciplinary and multi/interdisciplinary approaches. Please click the weblink to access further information about our International Development Research Groups and our current research projects.

Course Organiser

Dr Kathleen Fincham

Why Choose Us?

The School of International Development offers excellent Masters degree courses in development studies. Our objective is clear: to offer individual Masters students an unrivalled training in their chosen subject, delivered by dedicated and experienced scholars, located within a very memorable and enjoyable life-enhancing year.

With 36 teaching staff and a team of support staff, we offer a very friendly and supportive environment - we are immensely proud of our reputation in this. We welcome about 140-160 postgraduate students each year. Particular attention is given to supporting international students: English and academic skills training, and computer guidance from very basic levels upwards are provided.

Teaching often takes place in a relatively informal learning environment, and courses may incorporate lectures, seminars, and practical work. Assessment is usually by essays, coursework assignments and a dissertation. A continuous control process ensures that our teaching quality continues to develop, and students have access to a number of quality-control channels including student feedback forms, debriefing meetings, and the Student Liaison Committee to help us monitor, evaluate and develop current practice. As well as in-depth and rigorous academic tuition, we also provide students with a range of development practice and key skills - plus opportunities for internships. Our social activities help bind together the students within each programme and across the whole cohort.

The School embraces methodological and theoretical innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment that our research should make a difference. Our staff support interdisciplinary research across environmental and natural sciences, economics and social and political sciences. Our International Development UEA research group works with a wide range of clients, including national and international development agencies, governments, NGOs, international research centres and private clients. Since 2001, we have worked with an estimated 600 different partner organisations and in any year we have 100 or more live projects underway.

Career Opportunities

International Development postgraduates are successful in entering a broad spectrum of employment, with alumni working for the World Bank, the United Nations, DfID, JICA, Christian Aid, Save the Children and many other organisations.

Many of our international students are seconded from governmental or non-governmental posts in their home country and will return to more senior posts with improved skills, knowledge and qualifications gained from their year with us.

Although there are few formal career paths in the field of development, a postgraduate qualification, combined with a willingness to review and change your career aims as development priorities shift, are valuable assets. Many NGOs recruit from applicants qualified and experienced in other types of organisation. This experience, combined with a postgraduate qualification in your chosen development field, will provide you with a valuable basis to pursue a variety of professions. A recent careers analysis of our International Development Postgraduates reflects this diversity, with alumni taking up posts in, for example:

NGO management in Japan;
soil and water conservation in Pakistan;
construction consultancy in Sri Lanka;
export management in Norway;
investments directorship in Zambia;
rural development coordination in Nigeria;
senior inspector of schools in Kenya;
development education work in the UK.

Others have proceeded to doctoral research within the School, or elsewhere, or have become research associates or desk officers for NGOs. Civil servants are well represented - including an Under-Secretary of State for the Solomon Islands - as are lecturers in higher education, and language teachers.

The University of East Anglia provides a professional Careers Centre and, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, we will help students to pursue their chosen career path and develop their employability skills. Please click to view the career profiles of some of our recent graduates.

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

You will have the chance to attend subject-specific talks and presentations about student life and finance. You will also be able to talk directly to academics, admissions staff and current students giving you a first-hand impression of life at the University of East Anglia - check out the accommodation, learning resources, student support, and our sport and entertainment facilities.

If you are not able to visit us in person, check out our Virtual Open Day experience which we hope will help to provide you with an insight into life and study at the University of East Anglia.

Further Information

International Development - Postgraduate Opportunities

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying please do contact us:

Admissions Office (Development)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591393
Email: pgdev.admiss@uea.ac.uk

Please click here to download the School of International Development Postgraduate Prospectus or register your details via our Online Enquiry Form.

International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for the MRes programme should have a good first degree in either the social sciences or science and have at least three years experience of working in development practice. It is preferable that they are currently working in development practice.

Undergraduate Degree Subject Social Science or Science
Undergraduate Degree Classification 2:1 or equivalent

Students for whom English is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

· IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)

· TOEFL: Internet-based score of 92 (minimum 19 listening, 21 speaking, 19 writing and 20 reading)

· PTE (Pearson): 62 (minimum 55 in all components)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3

Year 1

Overview

Compulsory Study (60 credits)

Students will select 60 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Introduction to Development Fieldwork This module will help prepare students for development fieldwork and focus on practical and ethical issues. Topics covered will include understanding the local context and culture, working with marginalised, vulnerable and privileged groups, negotiating access to field sites and power relations. THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MRES DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE STUDENTS. more...	DEV-MD3X	20	Year Period
Introduction to Research Methods The module will provide an overview of different research methods and how they can be applied within the context of development practice. Among other things, it will cover the following topics: interviewing, mixed methods approaches, participatory research methods and basic statistical analysis. THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MRES DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE STUDENTS. more...	DEV-MD2Y	20	Year Period
Introduction to Social Science Research (Mres Dp) This module provides students with a generic introduction to Social Science research. This includes introductory material on the nature of Social Science research, research design and the nature of quantitative and qualitative research methodology. It also examines the skills needed for Social Science research. THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MRES DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE STUDENTS. more...	DEV-MD1Y	20	Year Period

Year 2

Overview

Compulsory Study (60 credits)

Students will select 60 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Research Project 1 In this module, students will conduct an organisational and policy analysis for their Final Independent Research Project. THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MRES DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE STUDENTS. more...	DEV-MD4Y	20	Year Period
Research Project 2 In this module, students will design and pilot their own research instruments for their Final Independent Research Project. THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MRES DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE STUDENTS. more...	DEV-MD5Y	20	Year Period
Research Project 3 In this module, students will develop a detailed research proposal for their Final Independent Research Project. THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MRES DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE STUDENTS. more...	DEV-MD6Y	20	Year Period

Year 3

Overview

This is the third study period of the course running from March 2013 - September 2013.

Compulsory Study (60 credits)

Students will select 60 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Independent Research Project In this module, students will conduct and write up their Final Independent Research Project. THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MRES DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE STUDENTS. more...	DEV-MD8X	60	Semester 2

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Fees And Funding

Fees for the academic year 2012/2013 will be:

UK/EU/International Students: £2,500*

* for each year of the course.

International applicants from outside the EU may need to pay a deposit.

Scholarships and Funding

A variety of Scholarships may be offered to UK students. Please click here for more detailed information about UK/EU Scholarships and Funding.

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for further information about funding for International students. International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.

How To Apply

Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

You can apply online, or by downloading the hard copy application form, or by using the application form in the University’s Postgraduate Prospectus.

Further Information

To request further information & to be kept up to date with news & events please use our online enquiry form.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.

International Development Courses