Skip navigation
Digital Development at University of Manchester - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
Apply

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

MSc Digital Development will train you to become a digital development champion who possesses the necessary technical and contextual skills to lead digital development and information-and-communications-technology-for-development (ICT4D) programmes and projects to completion, such as ICT-enabled enterprise, e-government, m-health, MOOCs, etc. In recent years there has been - and continues to be - a massive expansion in the number of digital development projects in developing and transitional economies. With a skills shortage resulting in a high project failure rate, this course satisfies the pressing need for digital development champions. By taking this course, you will benefit from The University of Manchester's world-leading Centre for Digital Development and gain:

  • conceptual frameworks to understand the process of socio-economic development and the role of information and of
digital technologies in the development process; 
  • new knowledge and skills to help in the effective planning, development, implementation and management of digital
development/ICT4D initiatives. A range of optional course units provides an opportunity to satisfy specialist digital development champion knowledge and skill requirements, while the field visits that we normally offer will enable you to build up your real-world experience at no additional cost. The course is designed for those applying, or seeking to apply, digital information and communication technologies in pursuit of socio-economic development goals. It will include those who have, or plan to have direct design and implementation responsibilities, project managerial responsibilities, or broader strategic or policy-related responsibilities. Typical participants include:
  • early-career professionals who have found themselves involved with digital development/ICT4D projects and want a
period to reflect, learn and broaden their impact and career horizons; 
  • technical staff involved with digital development/ICT4D projects who wish to add systems, managerial and development
skills to their portfolio; 
  • computing graduates who wish to make ethical use of their skills but lack the necessary understanding of systems and
development.

Entry requirements

We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent. When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For fees for entry in 2025, please view the course listing on our website.

Sponsorship information

There are many internal and external funding opportunities for postgraduate study. We offer several postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students. We also regularly welcome students on the University's Equity and Merit scholarship scheme. In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to The University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course. Many of our students have gained British Chevening, British Council or Commonwealth scholarships, as well as country-specific awards. For more information, see our fees and funding webpages.

Digital Development at University of Manchester - UCAS