University of Bradford
School of Social & International Studies
Programme Specification
MSc Development Policy & Practice for Civil Society
Awarding and teaching institution: / Awarded by University of Bradford, UK.Full-time route taught by Mzumbe University Dar Business School Tanzania.
Part-time route taught by University of Bradford
Final awards: / [English National Qualifications Framework level M]
Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters
Programme title: / Development Policy and Practice for Civil Society
Duration: / 12 months (FT in Mzumbe) 2-5 years (PT in Bradford)
UCAS code: / Not applicable
Subject benchmark statement: / Not applicable
Date: / November 2010
The School of Social and International Studies (SSIS) at the University of Bradford in the UK is a multidisciplinary unit spanning creative writing, social work, economics, peace studies and international development. The Division of Development (formerly Bradford Centre for International Development) within SSIS delivers postgraduate degrees in project planning, international development and management, short training courses for development professionals, overseas-based consultancy, training and research. Teaching staff have academic backgrounds in branches of economics and other social sciences, but they share some common areas of interest, including regeneration, civil society and NGOs, globalisation, project and programme management, community development and organisational change. All courses have strong vocational and skill-based elements, in line with the University’s mission of ‘Making Knowledge Work’, and are designed to be relevant to contemporary issues and professions. For more information see
Mzumbe University is a chartered university in Tanzania with over 50 years of experience in training and HE provision. It has two sites: a main campus in Morogoro providing a range of undergraduate degrees and the Dar Business School which offers Postgraduate provision. Programmes in Dar relate to Business and Public Administration with a range of options taught by specialists in Human Resources, Accountancy, Public Administration and NGO Management. For more information see
This programme has been developed jointly by Mzumbe/Bradford to address the specific needs of civil society and non-state actors in Africa. It was supported in the early stages by the EU-funded Non-State Actors Programme in Tanzania. This programme also invested in the creation of a resource centre in the Dar Business School of Mzumbe University to enable the operation of this programme. It is intended to develop the skills of those already working in civil society organisations or those who wish to work in this sector. The programme can be studied full-time in Tanzania at the Dar Business School Campus, but can also be studied on a part-time basis in Bradford. The programme also offers the opportunity to take study take some module with credits Mzumbe and some in Bradford as the two programmes have the same learning outcomes.
Both institutions have collaborated on research and training for almost 30 years. A collaboration with Bradford ensures that students based in Tanzania have access to internet-based learning resources which are otherwise unavailable. A number of Mzumbe staff have undertaken advanced degrees at the University of Bradford; and many Bradford staff have considerable experience in Tanzania and more broadly in Africa.
A Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
Postgraduate Certificate
A1Enable you to evaluate and apply theoretical concepts relevant to Development and Public Policy and Practice, Project and Programme Management with particular reference to civil society.
A2Develop your autonomous learning skills for lifelong learning.
A3 Develop your personal and transferable skills in communication, research and planning.
Postgraduate Diploma
A4Equip you with the knowledge and skills to develop innovative initiatives building the capacity of civil society in the Tanzanian context.
A5Equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a reflective and critical practitioner.
MSc
A6Critically analyse current and emerging research and practice.
A7Critically appraise the nature of evidence in Development Policy and Practice for Civil Society.
A8Formulate and independently investigate a complex research question and communicate your findings at an advanced level.
B Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
Postgraduate Certificate
LO1: Critically evaluate advanced theoretical concepts in Development Policy and Practice, Project and Programme Management.
LO2: Critically appraise policy and practice in relation to Development Policy and practice with a focus on civil society.
LO3: Evaluate complex information on a range of issues related to Development Policy and practice, and Project Design, Planning and Management.
LO4: Use initiative in self-directed learning and make written argument
Postgraduate Diploma
LO10: Critically reflect on advanced theoretical concepts in relation to the governance and role of civil society in Tanzania, advocacy and negotiation and critical reflective practice.
LO11: Critically appraise working practices and change management in organisations.
LO12: Understand and apply skills for conflict resolution, advocacy and negotiation.
LO13: Synthesise complex information gathered from a range of sources.
LO14: Apply originality and creative problem solving in dealing with complex issues.
MSc
LO15.Demonstrate a detailed and critical knowledge of current research and scholarship in a specialist area.
LO16.Identify appropriate research designs and methods for specific purposes and applications
LO17.Identify gaps and inconsistencies in the evidence base guiding policy and practice
LO12.Apply critical reasoning to the existing evidence base and scholarship
C.The Curriculum
Postgraduate Certificate
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / LevelID-7022D / Project Planning and Programme Management / CORE / 20 / M
ID-7017D / Issues in Development Policy / CORE / 20 / M
ID-7065D / Project Planning, Design and Appraisal / CORE / 20 / M
Postgraduate Diploma
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / LevelID-7084D / Working in the Third Sector / CORE / 20 / M
PE-5101D / Applied Conflict Resolution Skills / CORE / 20 / M
ID-7020D / Civil society in Sub-Saharan Africa / CORE / 20 / M
MSc
Module Code / Occ / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodID-7060Z / H / Dissertation in Development Policy & Practice for Civil Society / CORE / 60 / M / DISS
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
D. Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies
We start the programme with an intensive induction to develop learning and personal development planning skills and to provide an introduction to IT and library resources. Additional group and one to one support is provided to individual You who require it.
Most teaching is lecture or group-based for taught course units, while individual supervisors provide specialist guidance during dissertation writing. Hence, as the course progresses, the main learning method gradually becomes more individualised and student-centred.
To ensure the systematic development of knowledge of key subjects, course units are assessed by a variety of assessments in addition to essays and formal examinations. Group work, where the assessment may be based on a report or a presentation, provides both team work experience and practice for you in different ways of expressing arguments and information. Some modules may also use problem-solving exercises or ask you to develop a portfolio of their work. We aim to ensure that you can gain the skills to become independent, critical and analytical thinkers but are also able to apply their knowledge to policy and practice.
The programme will be fully supported by University of Bradford by preparation of module blackboards to support the teaching of staff in Mzumbe.
Teaching on the full-time programme in Mzumbe University will take place in module blocks of approximately 8 weeks starting in February. Staff from Bradford may come to work in partnership with Mzumbe staff where necessary. You will also have access to the virtual learning environment – ‘Blackboard’ which will guide them in reading, further activities and interaction. You also use social networking, create blogs and websites through this means. You will also be able to connect with students studying in Bradford through this medium. This will ensure that you gain an understanding in each module of the importance of e-tools and their potential as tools of governance and policy influence.
Teaching on the Bradford programme follows a two-semester pattern. You can study in Bradford for this degree on a part-time basis starting in either semester 1 or 2 studying the modules on a sequential basis. You start with the modules relating to the postgraduate certificate, followed by the postgraduate diploma and finishing with the dissertation.
E. Assessment Regulations- Progression and Award
The full text of the Regulations Governing Postgraduate Awards is available on the web at
Masters/PgDip/PgCert Award
To be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate you must achieve at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to 40 Credits and at least 35.0% in individual units amounting to the other 20 Credits.
To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma you must achieve at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to 100 Credits and at least 35.0% in individual units amounting to the other 20 Credits.
To be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master you must achieve at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to 160 Credits and at least 40.0% in individual units amounting to the other 20 Credits.
If you achieve an overall weighted average of at least 70.0% at the initial attempt, you will be eligible for the award of the Post-graduate Diploma with Distinction.
If you achieve an overall weighted average of at least 60.0%, you will be eligible for the award of the Post-graduate Diploma with Merit.
F. Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential You regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience. For admissions to the full-time Mzumbe-based routeMzumbe University will be handling admissions. For the part-time, Bradford-based route you should apply direct to the University of Bradford. Both Universities require an applicant to have a good first degree from a recognised university. Mzumbe will be responsible for handling admissions for all standard applicants.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University of Bradford has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Mzumbe and University of Bradford will consider your application jointly if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
The Universities of Bradford and Mzumbe have always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.
G. Learning Resources
The Learning Support Services of the University of Bradford, comprising the Library the Computer Centre and the Career Development Service, provide comprehensive, user-friendly facilities for students, which can be accessed by You from Mzumbe. Distance learning. Students have access to e-journals through ATHENS and other databases and e-resources are available through the Library’s eResources page. The University is a designated European Documentation Centre, with a comprehensive coverage of EU information. There is also the Development Collection, a specialist collection created to support the staff and students, which collects materials in the field of development studies.
The Learner Development Unit (LDU) at the University of Bradford also provides a valuable resource for you to improve your study skills. The LDU are available for distance learners by email.
For this programme, a dedicated resource centre has been established in Mzumbe University funded by the EU Non-State Actors Programme in Tanzania. This contains relevant and current resources in addition to networked computers for You on this programme.
H. Student Support and Guidance:
Support for you personally and in your course of study, will be provided by Mzumbe University or the University of Bradford (depending on whether you are registered on the full-time Mzumbe route or part-time Bradford route) and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on subject specific queries.
We value the feedback provided by students and will provide you with a number of opportunities to offer comments on our programmes. You will have a personal tutor and any personal issues you have will be addressed quickly. You will also have a chance to communicate with the student representative and make your opinions heard at staff/student liaison committee
The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of your personal or academic life. For students based in Bradford, Student Financial and Information Services will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and tourist information. International You can access a range of additional advice and support services through the Student’s Union. This advice and support is available for distance learners through email.
The University's Careers Development Service exists to provide you with information, advice and guidance to help with any aspect of your career planning. More specifically we can help you by providing information on finding work and further study; providing advice on how to write a CV and complete application forms and help you to prepare for interviews and be successful in getting into your chosen career. Career Development Services also provide career and skill development opportunities through a range of accredited career modules. Like student support services, the Careers service can be accessed by distance learners
- Education for Sustainable Development
The University of Bradford, and the School of Social and International Studies (SSIS), are committed to the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) set out in UNESCO’s definition (see
which include: interdisciplinarity; value-driven; critical thinking and problem solving; participatory decision-making; and applied learning which is relevant and culturally appropriate to local and other contexts.
In your programme you will find these principles underlie the teaching learning and assessment strategies. The subject matter of this programme is focussed on ‘development’ as a concept and therefore engages with debates around equity, social justice and the use of resources on a global level. We strive to ensure that You are able to become critical, independent thinkers who can apply knowledge and take action. In addition there are modules in which the themes and issues of ESD are particularly exemplified, such as:
- Issues in Development Policy enables to critically explore the idea of government, third sector and private sector working in partnerships for sustainable development.
- The Working in the Third Sector module in which a student works with a civil society partner to produce a reflective portfolio on the experience.
We are also committed in SSIS to giving you opportunities to engage in debates about the meaning and future of Sustainable Development, as well as in the practice of ESD, for example, through facilitating volunteering experiences and by informing you of activities taking place in the University. We strive to ensure that all You are able to become critical, independent thinkers who can apply knowledge and take action. For more information on Ecoversity activities throughout the university see
J. Further Information
For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact Admissions.
Postgraduate Admissions OfficeSchool of Social & International Studies
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233979
The contents of this programme specification may change, subject to the University's regulations and course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
Appendix 1: Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment Map
Module / Learning Outcomes / Teaching / AssessmentProject and Programme Management / LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 / Lectures/
seminars / 50% 2500 word essay;
50% 2 hour examination.
Project Planning, Design and Appraisal / LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 / Lectures/
Seminars/
Group work / 80% 3000 word essay
20% group presentation;
Issues in Development Policy / LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 / Lectures/
Seminars/
Group work / 80% 3000 word essay;
20% group presentation.
Working in the Third Sector / PG Cert + LO 8,9,10,11,14, 15 / Work based learning. Group seminars / Reflective diary of hours worked & activities during work; (Pass/fail)
100% 4000 word portfolio.
Applied Conflict Resolution Skills / PGCert + LO 8,9,12,13,15,16 / Lectures/seminars / 3000 word log (100%)
Civil Society in Tanzania / PGCert + LO 8,9,11,13,14,15,16 / Lectures/seminars. Problem Based learning / Individual 3000 word essay (75%)
Problem Solving exercise (25%)
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