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Governance and Sustainable Development

MA, Postgraduate Certificate (PgC), Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)

Key Features

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Key Features

A stimulating inter-disciplinary programme examining the challenges of international governance and sustainable development.
Study part-time alongside work or other commitments.
Internet-based distance learning study with the option of a project campus-based workshop.
Interaction with tutors, other learners and substantial academic resources over the web.

The award thus examines the nature and role for governance in support of progress towards sustainable development. The latter has become a key goal and principle for policy action at global and local levels. The lack of sustainability characterising much development is mainly a crisis in governance. The study of governance goes beyond the analysis of the formal institutions of nation-states and international regimes to encompass the relationship between the state and other important actors, including civil society and private business. It provides the opportunity to examine the conceptual debates and analysis of the challenges that government, civil society and the private sector will need to face when engaging with the central tenets of sustainable development.

At Certificate level, two 30 credit modules, Globalisation and Sustainable Development: a Governance perspective and Diplomacy and the Global World provide the conceptual and empirical foundation of the programme. They seek to introduce the key concepts of diplomacy, globalisation, sustainability and governance, as theoretical constructs and as factors shaping public policy, from the international to the local level. Key actors in the policy process are identified and evaluated in terms of: power, the state, and bureaucracies. A central focus is on the development of global governance with special attention given to global governance regimes. At the Diploma level, Urban Sustainability: an Urban Governance Perspective is the core module. This investigates the management of urban environmental issues and their management, and the emergence of new forms of governance to deal with the challenges in this environment. Option modules in International Security and Money, Trade and Development in the Global Political Economy are available to complete the diploma level. These will allow the challenges to governance as posed by global and patterns of development and security in the post-Cold war context. In the final year of the Masters programme, students undertake the Understanding Sustainability Research module to advance their capability in understanding and applying methodologies and techniques to research. This provides the foundation for the Masters’ Project, an independent piece of advanced research that the student can shape to concur with their academic or professional interests in the theory and practice of sustainable development.

Fact File

Qualification:	MA, Postgraduate Certificate (PgC), Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)
Faculty/School:	Faculty of Sciences
Location:	Stoke Campus
Course Start:	February and September intakes
Course Length:	The programme is normally offered part-time mode (3 years). Each level consists of 60 credits, based upon 30 credits per semester. The modules are normally taken in sequence, one at a time and 16 weeks of independent study. At Diploma level there are two 30 credits modules. At Masters level, a 15 credits module and a 45 credits module (project) combine to complete the 180 credits of the programme.
Attendance:	No attendance is required although we do offer an optional short workshop in Stoke-on-Trent, before commencing your project. We have a policy of being flexible in patterns of study at postgraduate level. This is reflected in a number of ways. There are two standard routes through the modules that make up the award, a September start and a February start, thus enabling students to begin at different times through the academic year. Students may also accelerate their progress, so they are allowed to undertake the ‘Understanding Sustainability Research’ module in their second year of studies, provided they have completed and passed at least one 30 credit module at Diploma level. This enables them to start work on the Masters Research Project in the second year. Students can also opt to take longer than the normal 3 years span, by contacting the Award Tutor and negotiating their programme. Normally students are allowed to take up to 6 years to complete the programme of studies.
Entry Requirements:	Normally, an honours degree in a related subject such as geography, politics, environmental studies/ science, environmental management, law, sociology or development. But candidates with Lower Second degrees (or equivalent) in other subjects will also be considered. In addition we also encourage applications from those individuals who have related employment or substantial voluntary experience, with a demonstrable interest in or a commitment to sustainable development issues. Normal University arrangements for accreditation of prior (experiential) learning also apply. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview at the University in order to establish and/or confirm their eligibility. For more information on Post-graduate entry requirements, go to the relevant Staffordshire University web pages
Application:	Application is by our online application form, alternatively for a postal application pack please contact our Course Enquiries department. Your application should be accompanied by two references and copies of previous academic qualifications, these can be either be sent by post or by email to scienceadmissions@staffs.ac.uk.
Fees and Bursaries:	Fees and Bursaries
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