Master of Leadership for Development

Learn to lead with confidence and tackle contemporary development challenges collaboratively to drive real change.

In today's complex and rapidly changing global environment, development leaders need a new style of leadership.

Drawing on the strength of two world-class institutions, the University of Melbourne and the University of Manchester have developed this fully online master program focused on the practical skills, global connections and collaborative outlook needed to make a real difference in the development world.

Challenging the traditional narrative around leadership, the course will equip you to become a contemporary leader who works in partnership with people to effect meaningful change.

As you earn your joint degree, you will be taught by a team of international leaders in the field, gaining a global perspective on development issues and building a diverse network of development colleagues in the process.

As a fully online, part-time program, the Master of Leadership for Development allows you to study from anywhere in the world and supports you to combine study with work, so you can start implementing change from day one.

In the Master of Leadership for Development you will learn how to effectively facilitate change in the contemporary global development landscape.

Taught from a global, future-focused perspective, you will explore key development theories, contemporary global issues in development, fundamental principles of leadership and the nuances of leading in development, the complexities of institutional structures and how to implement change within an organisational context.

With a focus on highly applicable skills and knowledge, you will also learn through interactive, state-of-the-art simulations that allow you to experience and practice real-world scenarios.

You will:

• Adopt a new approach to leadership, with sustainability and collaboration at its core.
• Learn to effectively navigate complex circumstances and challenges in contemporary development.
• Build skills for effective negotiation, diplomacy and cross-cultural communication.
• Champion positive, proactive and improved social transformation in a global context.

Upon completion of the program you will:

• Possess an in-depth understanding or your personal leadership styles, strengths and limitations and have the competencies to effectively participate in leadership from that unique and individual SHAPE (Skills, Habits, Abilities, Personality, Experience)
• Have the skills to more accurately assess and interpret the leadership requirements for common scenarios in encountered in development practice
• Possess a range of competencies to more efficiently and effectively respond to leadership challenges in the development sector
• Be able to make an effective contribution to processes of organisational change relevant to the global development sector
• Possess strategic and cross-cultural leadership and management skills, analytical competencies and knowledge to enable one to effectively engage with and lead development initiatives at a trans-local and global level
• Have developed the competencies and habits to critically reflect on your own leadership practice and assume responsibility for life-long leadership development.

The Master of Leadership for Development will help you navigate and lead in the fast-changing environment of development. You will be better equipped to take on more challenging and impactful roles, increasing your career opportunities and potential to drive change. The practical nature of the course means you will be able to think differently and apply your newly acquired skills and knowledge to real-world problems and challenges.

Your career will also benefit from:

• Building a professional network across the globe
• Learning from the experiences of colleagues in diverse settings
• Applying your skills in real-life scenarios through learning via simulation, helping you prepare for a range of situations
• Using skills and knowledge acquired in the course in your job from day one.

It takes about 20 minutes to complete the form using the online application system.

You can save your work in progress and complete the application at a later date.