The Postgraduate Diploma in International Development at Afro-Brit CID provides an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented training, preparing learners to effectively understand and address contemporary development challenges across different geographical contexts. Particular focus is placed on issues relevant to low and middle income countries, including poverty, governance, human rights, security, conflict resolution, climate change, gender, indigenous rights, sustainable development, and global inequality. This program will equip students with both conceptual frameworks and practical skills necessary for effective policy-making, international development leadership, research, and advocacy in the development sector.
The programme is delivered through distance and online learning, offering flexibility for working professionals globally. It aligns with Afro-Brit CID’s commitment to nurturing socially responsible, ethical, and competent development practitioners.
By the end of the programme, students should be able to:
- Critically examine development theories, interventions, processes, and policies at global, regional, and local levels.
- Analyse the role of different actors in development such as the state, NGOs, international organizations, and communities.
- Understand and reflect upon ethical issues, cultural diversity, and indigenous knowledge in the development context.
- Design, manage, and evaluate development programs and projects in diverse settings.
- Engage with complex socio-economic, political, and environmental challenges in international development.
The programme spans 12 months (2 semesters) and is structured into key thematic modules.
Semester 1: Foundations of Development
The first semester serves as an essential introduction to the field of International Development Studies, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of what development entails in theory and practice.
Module 1: Concepts and dimensions of International Development – This module provides students with the framework for understanding international development, encouraging students to critically examine the evolution of development thinking. Students will engage deeply with Foundational Theories of Development, including Modernization, Dependency, and Post-Development theories. Through these theoretical lenses, they will develop critical thinking skills to analyse historical and contemporary development paradigms.
Module 2: The Role of the State in Development – This module provides analyses on how policy frameworks and governance structures shape developmental outcomes.
Module 3: International Organizations and Development Actors – In this module, students will study the roles and impacts of key global institutions such as UN agencies, the World Bank, and Bilateral Aid agencies and offer a critic on the role of these agencies in the sustainable development of nation states.
Module 4: Gender, Indigenous Rights, and Development – This module will introduce students to gender mainstreaming strategies and integrates indigenous perspectives into the development discourse. These discussions challenge conventional development approaches and promote inclusive and rights-based frameworks.
To reinforce their learning in the first semester, students are expected to complete two (2) assignments by mid-semester, encouraging the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world development issues.
Semester 2: Contemporary Challenges and Strategies
The second semester builds on the foundational knowledge of development studies by addressing current global challenges and strategic responses.
Module 5: Foreign Aid, NGOs, and Development Assistance – In this module, students will assess the effectiveness, limitations, and future prospects of aid in shaping development outcomes. Students will be drilled and offered the opportunity to critically examine the relevance and the realities of foreign aid, NGOs and development assistance, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of the aid architecture for Africa.
Module 6: Environment and Sustainable Development – This will focus on an analysis of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the impacts of climate change, and approaches to community resilience. This module will highlight the urgent need for sustainability and ecological consciousness in development planning.
Module 7: Globalization and Changing Development Paradigms – This module will provide students with a comparative analysis of Free Trade and Fair Trade, evaluating how global trade policies affect local economies and development equity. Students will continue their study of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), gaining practical insight into policy frameworks, implementation strategies, and progress monitoring mechanisms.
Module 8: Project Planning and Evaluation in Development – Students will learn the principles of project cycle management including needs assessments, logical frameworks, implementation, and evaluation techniques. In this module, students will acquire hands-on skills in project design and implementation.
Module 9: Research Methods for Development – In this module, students will gain proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, preparing them for future academic research or professional fieldwork.
In the second semester students will also complete two assignments, undertake research work, and a group/team work on a fundable project portfolio.
Successful applicants into this programme must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or hold an equivalent professional qualification from a recognized institution. Proficiency in English is a requirement as the course is delivered in English. See the application for details.
Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in International Development will be prepared for careers such as:
- Development Project Officers in international organizations (e.g., UN Agencies).
- Policy Analysts for government ministries and NGOs.
- Program Coordinators for humanitarian agencies and aid organizations.
- Advocacy and Campaign Managers for rights-based organizations.
- Research Associates in think-tanks, universities, or consultancy firms.
- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists.
- Field Program Officers in post-conflict, rural, or vulnerable settings.
This qualification will also serve as a pathway for further study at Master’s Degree level in Development Studies, International Relations, Public Policy, and related fields.
