About the MSc Global Challenges
Develop your knowledge and skills to help tackle the challenge of how nearly 8 billion people can live well on one planet.
Sustainable development is “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
With almost 8 billion people on earth, and rising, how can we all live well without compromising the life support systems of our planet?
This unique and cutting-edge programme will enable you to tackle global problems in a multidisciplinary way. It will equip you to address causes, consider preventative approaches, and implement suitable responses.
Addressing complex global issues
We live in an increasingly complex, often contradictory, fast-changing world:
- we have experienced unprecedented economic growth but inequality grows between and within nations
- we know more than ever about the natural environment, yet we may be on the cusp of irreversible changes caused by human activity
- more people than ever before are living longer, healthier lives, while billions suffer from hunger, malnutrition and disease
Climate change, natural disasters, political instability, conflict and wars, mixed in with overpopulation, poverty and underinvestment in low-income countries are leading to a range of challenges on a scale and at a frequency not experienced before.
Challenges of migrating and vulnerable populations, emerging and re-emerging diseases, humanitarian crises and unprecedented urban development need a multidisciplinary approach with sustainability at the heart of it.
Taught entirely online, this part-time programme is specifically designed so you can study while you work.
This programme is designed for those interested in following a career in international development, environmental and/or global or national health work in government and non-governmental organisations.
It is also particularly valuable for industry and businesses reshaping their strategies to be more responsive to the 2030 sustainability agenda working towards net zero initiatives, and a greener wellbeing economy.
It is also for those who intend to undertake research in these disciplines. It will provide a broad background for local, country or international level careers in policy, planning and management.
The MSc is made up of three postgraduate certificates:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Development Challenges
- Postgraduate Certificate in Environment Challenges
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Challenges
Each of these certificates takes a multidisciplinary approach to global challenges from its own distinct perspective. Studying all three gives you a comprehensive insight into the global challenges, and develops and broadens your skills and knowledge to tackle them effectively.
Each certificate has 60 credits made up of two 20-credit core courses and 20 credits of elective courses.
As you progress through the programme you will integrate your learning from each certificate you study, adding depth and richness to your experience.
There is no dissertation element; each certificate provides opportunities for you, in discussion with academic staff, to develop innovative projects as part of your assessment.
The MSc in Global Challenges is taught in an interdisciplinary way, across three different Schools within the University.
- School of Social and Political Science
- School of Health in Social Science
- School of GeoSciences
Our programme is a collaboration between the University's Global Academies - global networks of experts from over 25 academic disciplines developing innovative solutions for the world's most challenging problems.
The Global Development Academy, the Global Environment and Society Academy and the Global Health Academy supported by the Global Justice Academy provide a step change in the way the University is able to build multi-disciplinary responses to these complex global issues.
The programme really helped me look at my NGO work from a more historical perspective, and made me question why we were needed in the area we work in in the first place.
Our expertise in research, policy and practice across a wide range of disciplines will help you to develop the broad perspective, in-depth knowledge, and professional skills needed to enhance your career as you work for a more equitable and just world.
You will gain crucial understanding at global, national and local levels of how development, health and environmental issues are connected. This in turn will help your career developing enduring solutions while minimising unintended consequences.
The programme helped me towards programme design and civic engagement for the Civil Society Organisation coalition I support in the emerging State of South Sudan.