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The Open University

Diploma

Code
D37
Level
Postgraduate
Made up of
120 credit points

Description

This postgraduate diploma is part of our Development Management programme, which also offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Development Management (C48), Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict and Development (C67) and MSc in Development Management (F11). The postgraduate diploma is aimed at:

  • Professionals in project management and those who have responsibility for development initiatives in government, non-governmental organisations, international and inter-governmental agencies and public and private enterprises.
  • People who intend to work in those areas, or who have an interest in public action for development.
  • Those who want to combine important elements of development and management.
  • Those who want to expand their conceptual and practical skills by taking an international perspective on management.

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Planning your studies

For entry to the programme we strongly recommend that you hold a degree from a UK university (or the equivalent) and that you start the programme by studying Development: context and practice (TU871). If you are a non-graduate we suggest that you ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for advice before registering. Detailed advice about entry and preparation is given in the individual course descriptions and you can find further advice on the Development Management website.

There is no time limit for completing the qualifications in the Development Management programme, though we cannot guarantee that the same selection of courses will continue to be available. You can take courses for the diploma in any order. Because of demands that courses in this programme will make on you we recommend that you take no more than 30 points, particularly in your first year.

For the diploma, you must include at least 40 credit points from OU courses that have not been counted in any other OU qualification you have been awarded.

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Courses

For this 120-point postgraduate diploma, you require:

60 points from the following compulsory courses:

Postgraduate compulsory courses Points Next start
Capacities for managing development (TU870)

This course provides development practitioners with a conceptual framework for analysing development management practice; and develops skills and capacities for analytical thinking and strategic action.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Institutional development: conflicts, values and meanings (TU872)

Develop the conceptual and practical skills needed to frame, manage and negotiate institutional development, change organisational structures and adopt new norms and values.

See full description.

30 May 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses TUXX870, TUXX872, TUZX870, TUZX872

And either 60 points chosen from the following optional courses:

Postgraduate optional courses Points Next start
Creativity, innovation and change (B822) (or version BZX822)

This interdisciplinary course is about managing innovation and change, sustaining a creative climate in your organisation, and promoting imaginative, flexible and practical thought and action.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Current issues in public management and social enterprise (B857)

Focus on current practice in public management and social enterprise in areas such as partnership and multi-agency working, evidence-based management, stakeholder engagement and governance.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Development: context and practice (TU871)

This foundation course for our MSc in Development Management gives a grounding in development studies and explores the meaning and challenge of international development today.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Education for development (ET821)

Explores the relationship between education and development through topics such as teachers, use of new technologies and gender equality in education.

See full description.

30 Nov 2010
Environmental decision making: a systems approach (T863)

This course uses systems ideas to explore environmental decision-making situations, to make sense of their complexity and to look for feasible changes and action.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Environmental responsibility: ethics, policy and action (TD866)

This course is about understanding and taking responsibility, individually and collectively, for policy and action relating to environmental dilemmas, from climate change to biodiversity loss.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Fundamentals of senior management (B713) (or version BZX713)

This course gives you a thorough grounding in management concepts and principles, from management context and practice, to improving performance, project management and managing change.

See full description.

60 May 2010
Problem solving and improvement: quality and other approaches (T889)

This course considers different techniques and approaches to problem solving and improvement that are sustainable; the nature problems and solutions, and their management.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Rethinking social policy (D860)

Examine new ways of thinking about social policy, including post-structuralism and feminism, which are starting to challenge traditional approaches such as the Fabian ideal.

See full description.

30 May 2010 FINAL
Shaping public policy: contexts and processes (B856)

Develop your critical understanding of public policy, its global trends and local contexts, and the skills needed to negotiate in this complex and challenging arena.

See full description.

30 Nov 2010 FINAL
Strategy (B820) (or version BZX820)

Develop your understanding of business strategy in theory and in practice, improve your strategic thinking skills and reflect on your own role in this context.

See full description.

30 May 2010
War, intervention and development (TU875)

This course analyses the roots of violent conflicts, investigates the processes of peace-building and development, and helps develop the tools necessary for successful intervention.

See full description.

30 May 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses B800, B880, B882, BXX822, D820, D830, D831, D832, D833, D861, T860, T861, T890, TXX860, TXX861, TXX863, TUXX871, TUZX871, TUXR873, TUXX875

Alternatively you can include 30 points from the optional courses listed above and 30 points from any of our postgraduate courses. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for further information.

Once you have completed the Postgraduate Diploma, you can gain the MSc in Development Management (F11) by completing a further 30 points of study from the postgraduate diploma courses and a 30-point management project.

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Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

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Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.

Credit transfer details for this qualification:

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On completion

On successful completion of 120 points’ worth of required courses you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Management entitling you to use the letters PG Dip Dev Mgmt (Open) after your name.

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Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.

Award Regulations

Student Regulations

The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.

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How to register

To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.

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Study explained

Credit points
- show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
Financial support
- find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
Study explained
- all you need to know about studying with the OU.

Got a question?

Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90

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