MSc Communication for Innovation and Development

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1 Graduate Institute of International Development and Applied Economics (GIIDAE) MSc Communication for Innovation and Development Developing knowledge and skills to support positive change through communication 3 Postgraduate

2 MSc Communication for Innovation and Development Programme details 12 months full-time. 24 months part-time for home and EU students only. Entrants are normally required to have obtained an honours degree or its equivalent in a related subject. Applicants with other qualifications and who have at least two years professional experience in a relevant field are also encouraged to apply. References are also taken into account. Funding There are a number of funding opportunities for applicants applying to study in the Graduate Institute, ranging from bursaries to full scholarships. Visit: Research degrees In addition to taught programmes, we offer research degrees. For more information about the availability of research degrees, please contact pgso@reading.ac.uk, phone +44 (0) or visit pg-research/apd-pgrabout.aspx Providing a globalised educational experience The Graduate Institute itself attracts around 90 MSc/MA students each year to study at Reading, typically coming from 40 countries and as such is an outstanding example of a globalised educational experience. In recent years we have attracted students from throughout Africa, South and East Asia, South America, Europe and the Middle East. This broad international mix, which includes both young graduates and experienced mid-career professionals, helps create a unique learning environment for all students. This programme: Builds a critical understanding of innovation and communication theory in the diverse contexts of international and local development. Strengthens professional competence in the design, planning and management of information and knowledge interventions. Provides a focus on practical application of new knowledge and skills to support innovation and change. Is taught by specialists with research and professional expertise in development communication. Covers communication theory and issues at all levels, from local to global, and from inter-personal to mass and social media. Explores a range of development applications, from agricultural advisory services and health communication to advocacy and social change communication.

3 A one-year masters programme This one-year masters programme explores the main challenges of communication and innovation in a development context, in a world of rapidly expanding opportunities for interactive communication. It develops professional skills as well as a deep and critical understanding of communication for development. Participants enrich their ability to address the challenges and use the opportunities to support efforts to achieve positive change in people s lives and communities. The programme will suit those with an interest in how communication processes can be used constructively to support development initiatives at local, national and global levels. This includes mid-career professionals working in government departments, agencies, non-governmental organisations and as independent consultants. Students with a wide range of backgrounds and career interests will benefit, however, since communication and development issues have implications across a wide range of subjects and sectors of society. Compulsory modules Students take 70 credits in compulsory modules: Perspectives on development 20 Research and study skills for independent learning 10 Communication and innovation in development 20 Principles of communication design for development 10 Social policies for development 10 Optional modules A further 50 credits of optional modules can be chosen from a wide range available within the Institute and a cross the University. Students prepare a dissertation on a relevant topic to be agreed with their Programme Director. The modular structure of the course allows students to select subjects that meet their own needs and interests, while developing a core set of knowledge and skills. In health and agriculture, governance and improvement of urban set tlements, communica tion plays a key role in facilitating change and innovation. Our MSc is for those who want to become part of this exciting enterprise.

4 The blend of theory with practice has enhanced, even changed, my view of how communication for development should be carried out. I can firmly say that I am now very well equipped to make the necessary changes to the communication approaches adopted by my organisation. Susanna Alo, Gender Promotion Program National Coordinator of the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation The MSc Communication for Innovation and Development provided me with a deep insight of how communication tools can be used in development settings. Through the different courses I attended, I gained thorough understanding of development theories and of how communication can be used for different purposes. In addition to this, studying at GIIDAE is a unique experience to thrive in a completely multicultural environment and an extremely enriching opportunity to learn from people from all over the world. Rosa Palli, Campaigner and researcher, ONE International anti-poverty organisation Graduate destinations In 2012, 92% of University of Reading graduates available or looking for work/study are either in employment, in further study or taking up voluntary or unpaid work opportunities. Students who follow this programme are expected to have employment opportunities in a wide variety of institutional and developmental settings. These include aid agencies, non-governmental organisations, and relevant national and international bodies, especially those focused on rural development, disaster preparedness and response, health communication and human rights Recent GIIDAE graduates went on to work for international NGOs including CARE and Oxfam, campaigning and advocacy organisations, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Energy and Climate Change, United Nations, Economic & Social Research Council, BBC World Service (News and Current Affairs department), FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organization), for commercial companies and also onto study for PhDs. Whether you see your future within the academic, business, government or NGO sector, GIIDAE s courses offer a stepping stone to a rewarding and worthwhile career.

5 Why study at Reading? Reading continues to be one of the highestranked research-intensive universities in the UK, ranked in the top 250 universities in the world in 2011, according to the QS World University Rankings. Internationally recognised teachers and researchers We are world leaders in teaching and research in the social and natural sciences relating to international development, communication, rural livelihoods and environments, agriculture and the food chain. Our work covers the businesses and people associated with these sectors (such as food and agribusiness, communities and households, and consumers), and the policy and political environments in which they function locally, nationally, regionally and globally. In our subject area, the School is consistently ranked as having teaching of the highest quality by numerous newspaper university subject ratings and by student surveys. Reading was 12th in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2012, out of 105 UK universities. Staff calibre and commitment are major factors in our continually high performance in national assessments and league tables. The core team for the MSc Communication for Innovation and Development are active researchers in the field of rural extension and communication for development and engage with policy makers and practitioners in international development organisations through consultancy and advisory assignments. Strong links with world experts in the field Courses in the Graduate Institute are taught by staff from a broad range of applied social and natural sciences who are at the forefront of research and policy discussions in their own fields. Many of the staff involved in teaching the MSc Communication for Innovation and Development programme are research associates within the internationally renowned Walker Institute. The Walker Institute delivers world-leading research at the frontier of climate system science. Research areas include examining the economic impact of climate change, human behavioural responses to climate change and climate change adaption and rural development. The School of Agriculture, Policy and Development is also heavily committed to the University Centre for Food Security. The Centre reflects Reading s reputation as a lead institute in the area of food security, and changes in climate, particularly in developing countries, are high on its research agenda. This interaction with our research partners will allow students to develop a coherent understanding of the current trends and debates.

6 Reading the town Reading is superbly located on the river Thames, with excellent road and rail access. Heathrow airport is a short bus-link service away. London, Oxford and Windsor are all within 35 minutes travelling distance. Reading offers some of the best retail and entertainment experiences in the Thames Valley yet is surrounded by beautiful countryside, ideal for country walks and pub lunches. Henley with its famous regatta, is local to Reading as are many other picturesque riverside towns and villages. Located in the prosperous Thames Valley, Reading is rich in investment and employment opportunities. Its buoyant economy offers plentiful work for both current students and new graduates. A degree from the University of Reading is well regarded by employers in business and industry. On campus The award winning University campus is set in a mature parkland of over 160 hectares, which has been judged as one of the best open spaces in the country under the prestigious Green Flag Award scheme. The on campus facilities include halls of residence, a sportspark, shops, including a large supermarket stocking a great range of oriental and international foods, bars, eateries, a chaplaincy and Reading Film Theatre. First class resources are supported by world-class teaching. The University s ongoing investment in high-quality teaching and learning facilities ensures its staff and students can achieve their full potential. The Graduate Institute is located in a new building with state-of-the-art lecturing facilities, a PC lab with 24-hour access, wireless internet connection and its own catering facility. MSc Communication for Innovation and Development To apply for Postgraduate study at the University of Reading use our online application service: For more information about the course, please contact: Postgraduate Student Office University of Reading Whiteknights PO Box 237 Reading RG6 6AR United Kingdom pgso@reading.ac.uk Tel +44 (0) The statements made and information provided are a general guide and there may be changes following publication which affect the contents. For details of any changes made since publication, please refer to the website address at the bottom of this page. This document is University of Reading It was designed and printed in July B