StudyQA — Master: Personal Professional Development

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Description Contents Requirements

In recent years there has been - and continues to be - a massive expansion in the number of information-and-communications-technology-for-development (ICT4D) projects (telecentres, ICT-enabled microenterprise, public service kiosks, e-government initiatives, e-health projects, ICT-in-education, etc) in developing and transitional economies.

Successful oversight of these projects requires "ICT4D champions" who possess a combination of technical competencies (e.g. information systems skills) and contextual competencies (e.g. development skills). Such a combination is, as yet, rarely found. This has resulted in a high project failure rate, and a recognition of training need.

This programme, therefore, aims to create the "ICT4D champions" who combine the necessary skills to see ICT4D projects through to sustainable delivery of development goals. At the end of the programme, participants will have been provided with:

* conceptual frameworks to understand the process of socio-economic development and the role of information and of ICTs in the development process; and
* new knowledge and skills to help in the effective planning, development, implementation and management of ICT4D initiatives

A range of optional modules provides an opportunity to satisfy specialist "ICT4D champion" knowledge and skill requirements.

Special features An overseas field visit is an integral part of the programme. The cost of the visit is included in the programme fee. In addition, participants may undertake research visits to organisations applying information systems in practice in the UK. Fieldcourses may be scheduled at any point during the twelve-month period of the degree programme and this may include during University vacations. Successful applicants are expected to be available to attend

Module details

Study fellows must complete four compulsory core units (two of which are alternates depending on the participant's choice of implementation or management focus), four optional modules and submit a dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words.

Core programme course units are:

* ICTs for Socio-Economic Development
* Planning & Managing Development

Alternate core course units are:

* Development Practice: International Contexts and Worlds of Action or
* Economic Development or
* Perspectives on Development
* Introducing Information Systems in Organisations or
* Issues in the Management of Information Systems

Optional course units may include:

* Characteristics and Skills of Development Practice
* Civil Society and Public Action
* Economic Development
* E-Government
* E-Business: Organisation and Strategy
* Fundamentals of Information and Information Systems
* Gender and Development
* ICTs in Practice
* Introducing Information Systems in Organisations
* Issues in the Management of Information Systems
* Micro-finance
* Multimedia Design and Development
* Organisational Behaviour
* Perspectives on Development
* Poverty and Development: Concepts, Analysis and the International Policy Agenda
* Poverty and Poverty Reduction in Context
* Private Sector Management for Development

Availability of course units may vary from year to year.

Academic entry qualification: Applicants should have a good first degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline from an approved university, and would ideally have some work or placement experience.Admission of candidates who do not meet this criterion may be approved if satisfactory evidence of postgraduate study, research or professional experience can be provided.Postgraduate Diploma:Applicants who do not fulfil the entry requirements for the Masters degree may be registered as Postgraduate Diploma study fellows. They take a package of core and optional course units identical to the Masters programme. If performance in these course units meets the standard required at the Masters level (a pass mark of 50%), these students upgrade to Masters registration at the end of the second semester and proceed to the dissertation. They then become eligible for award of a Masters degree. Those who do not achieve a pass at Masters level, but at the Diploma level (a pass mark of 40%), will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.English language requirements: Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements: * an IELTS Test score of 6.5 or more overall * or a TOEFL Test (Paper-based) score of 575 or more with a minimum score in Test of Written English of 4.5 * or a TOEFL Test (Computer-based) score of 232 or more with a minimum essay rating of 4.5 * or a TOEFL Test (Internet based) score of 88 or more with a minimum writing score of 22. * an NCUK PMP EAP Grade B English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C)