Global Development Challenges (Online Learning) PgCert (ICL), PgCert

Recognising the need for flexibility, our online programmes are an excellent way for those with professional or family commitments to gain a further qualification with minimum interruption, or to introduce students to a virtual learning environment.

Our award-winning online learning technology is fully interactive, enabling you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

You will learn through a mix of online methods, including:

• video lectures
• study guides
• self-directed and guided reading
• a range of interactive online reflection and discussion activities

Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but also become part of a vibrant and supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

Studying online at Edinburgh

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree:

• Postgraduate online learning

The programme can be completed as:

• a standalone 60-credit Postgraduate Certificate

or

• as one of the three certificates that make up the MSc in Global Challenges

The programme comprises two core courses, worth 20 credits each, and 20 credits of elective courses. The core courses are:

• Global Development Challenges
• Analysing Development

After completing this programme, graduates can also take two further Postgraduate Certificates in Global Environment Challenges and Global Health Challenges.

Completion of all three certificates leads to a qualification of an MSc in Global Challenges.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

During this programme, you will develop the ability to:

• analyse development issues, taking account of the complex institutional and economic contexts in which governance takes place
• critically assess the social and political effects of aid and the way aid policy is made and executed

When you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate, you will:

• understand development issues and international development in comparative global perspective
• be able to critically evaluate the factors shaping particular development processes and their outcomes
• be able to apply theories and insights from scholarly research to practical issues and problems of global development practice and policy

This programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for work with:

• governments
• non-government organisations (NGOs)
• international aid organisations
• United Nations agencies
• the private sector
• universities
• other research institutions

The transferable skills you gain in areas such as communication and research will give you an edge in the employment market, whatever your career.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Graduates from this programme will be uniquely equipped to advise and guide on the implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The goals emphasise the need for a coherent connection across many challenges and this programme will give you the language, and knowledge, to understand the complexity of the challenges and to look at innovative solutions and approaches.

Our graduates

Graduates of this programme have previously found careers in:

• consultancy
• NGOs and charities
• international development
• corporate managerial positions in environmental and social governance
• Ministry of Health policy, strategy and managerial positions

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

• Online Learning Scholarships

Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are available for the Global Challenges online taught programme. The postgraduate study scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year will accept applications from 23rd October 2023 at 10:00 AM until 7th December 2023 at 5:00 PM (UK Time). Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.

For more information and how to apply, visit the website

Please note: If the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only scholarship you are interested in applying for at the University of Edinburgh, please apply for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship only first. If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, then you can apply for the academic programme.

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding