Rural Development Dynamics, MA

This programme focuses on deepening understanding of the social and economic aspects of development, including institutional and organisational issues, and their link with technical aspects of rural development service delivery and innovation - a recognised international strength of the Natural Resources Institute. The developing world faces exceptional challenges and many approaches to development are having insufficient impact on reducing levels of poverty, particularly prevalent in rural areas and for women. There is growing awareness and practice of considering human needs and interactions in rural development and the programme addresses the identified need for improved capacity in project design, particularly in research to test the impact of development interventions. The programme comprises in-depth investigation of rural change with study of core concepts and their application as well as a research methods core providing advanced training in social science methodologies and particular applications of these approaches. This includes substantial training in social research principles, approaches and methods, applied research tools for use in diagnostic and baseline studies, situation and gender analysis, process monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.

Candidates also select two options from a range of specialist courses. Individual interests are further developed through the independent research project, submitted as a dissertation.

School

Natural Resources Institute

Location

Medway Campus

Attendance

1 year full-time 2 years part-time

Assessment

Each course will include a mix of formative and summative assessments and examinations as appropriate to the subject being studied. These will be drawn from examinations, critical analyses of case studies and problem-solving assignments, presentations and essays.

Career options

Graduates can pursue careers with national and international organisations e.g. NRI, Development NGOs, private sector organisations, university and government sectors. The programme is also a route to obtaining an MPhil/PhD studentship.

Content

Core courses:

• Social Research Methods 1: Origins and Defining Features of Social Science (30 credits)
• Social Research Methods 2: Advanced Social Research (30 credits)
• Understanding Rural Change: Core Concepts and their Application (30 credits)
• Project Dissertation (60 credits)

Options:

Specialty courses (a total of 30 credits to be selected from the following):

• Agricultural Innovation for Development (15 credits)
• Corporate Social Responsibility and Natural Resources Management (15 credits)
• Economics, Agriculture and Marketing (15 credits)
• Livestock and Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
• Risk Analysis for Agriculture and Environment (15 credits)
• Tools for Sustainability (15 credits)

Your time at university should be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is important that it is not spoilt by unnecessary financial worries. We recommend that you spend time planning your finances, both before coming to university and while you are here. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Find out more about our fees and the support available to you at our:

• Postgraduate finance pages
• International students' finance pages

Teaching and learning outcomes [PDF]