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Course type
Certificate
Credits
60

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
1 year part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

Postgraduate Certificate in Global Development

Course code: K37

The world is at a turning point, with humanity facing unprecedented global challenges. In this postgraduate certificate you'll explore historical and contemporary theories about global development and critically examine their role in shaping development policy and practice, the opportunities and challenges humanity faces in tackling global challenges and bringing about positive change. It will provide you with an in-depth understanding of key development issues, such as migration, environmental sustainability and the global politics of development, and encourage you to reflect on ways to engage with development issues at different scales. You will be introduced to a conceptual framework to help analyse and understand global development in a multitude of contexts, drawing on a range of case study material. In the process, you will enhance your skills in critical thinking, working with evidence, and presenting arguments using a variety of techniques and media.

  • Provides knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts to make sense of global development issues.
  • Critically engages with the global development agenda, including the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Encourages you to reflect on your standpoint, and that of others, with respect to global development debates.
  • Builds essential skills for a career in development and related areas.
Course type
Certificate
Credits
60

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
1 year part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory module Credits Next start
Understanding global development (DD870)  

This module introduces global approaches to contemporary development issues such as poverty, inequality and environmental sustainability, equipping you with the analytical tools to critically examine and respond to these challenges.

See full description

Register
 60 04 Oct 2025

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

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.

Credit transfer

You cannot count credit for study you have already completed elsewhere towards this qualification.

On completion

On successful completion of the required module you will be awarded the qualification of Postgraduate Certificate in Global Development entitling you to use the letters PGCert Glob Dev (Open) after your name.

You can progress from this Postgraduate Certificate in Global Development to our Postgraduate Diploma in Global Development (E86) or our MSc in Global Development (F86).

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

It is recommended that you hold a UK bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), or have had experience of working, in a paid or voluntary capacity, in a development-related agency (international or local), public sector or business setting prior to embarking on this qualification. However, these requirements are not compulsory, and you will not be required to provide any supporting documentary evidence.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details. If you’re not sure whether your English skills are good enough, there is some help and guidance at our Skills for OU Study website.

How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Certificate in Global Development part-time, completing 60 credits over one year. Typically, this means 16–20 study hours each week.

There’s no time limit to complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Global Development.

Career relevance

Development scholars and practitioners are highly employable social scientists. They go on to a wide range of destinations after graduation, including:

  • Development managers
  • Government policy makers
  • Development consultants
  • Business managers
  • Environmental consultants
  • Data analysis and visualisation using development techniques
  • Transport planners
  • Commercial analysts
  • Financial services
  • Field centre instructors
  • Teachers

In addition, significant number of postgraduate students choose to register for doctoral studies in a variety of specialised areas.

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