What will I learn on this module?
This is an innovative experiential module that will involve you preparing for, taking part in and reflecting on an overseas study visit. Visits will take place in various locations and will draw on the expertise, partnership, and experiences of the teaching staff. You may visit India, Indonesia, Peru, Uganda or other countries where teaching staff maintain well-established research projects and professional relationships. The location of each study visit will be advertised in advance.
Through this module you will (a) seek to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the development trajectory of the country/region you are visiting, (b) engage with key civil society development actors and educational partners in that context, (c) deepen your understanding of development practice, (d) develop key transferrable fieldwork skills and (e) develop a critical appreciation of the importance of experiential learning in your own personal and academic development.
The central part of this module will be your experiences whilst overseas in which you will be supported through a range of activities to engage with development practitioners and development challenges as well as the cultural life of the location visited. In order to prepare you for this, workshop will focus on cultural awareness training, the development of core fieldwork skills and planning for enhanced group work activities.
How will I learn on this module?
This module will involve up to 3 extended workshops to prepare you for the visit. These will focus on (a) core academic themes that will support the module and (b) planning and logistics for the trip. The trip will take place over approximately 7-10 days and will involve group activities, structured dialogue with key individuals and organisations and ongoing reflective discussions. On return the module will conclude with further workshops to debrief after the visit and reflect on learning. All activities will be interactive and participatory and will focus on group work.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
On the module you will be supported through (a) pre and post study visit workshops with module tutors, (b) in-country through visits, activities and support group work/project activity and (c) through one-to-one tutorials through all stages of the module.
You will also be able to access a range of academic support (including academic skills around reading, writing, research, literature reviews, referencing etc) and pastoral support (including, health and wellbeing support and guidance) from our award winning student services and library teams.
In addition, if you have moved to the UK to study from overseas, then additional support will be provided for international students with a focus on helping you settle in to the university and the city, understanding culture traditions in the UK and explore academic expectations. English language support can be accessed should you need further guidance and support in this area.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. To develop an understanding of the development trajectory of a specific country/region.
2. To critically consider the challenges, experiences, and implications of development in practice.
3. To assess the thinking and approaches of key development actors.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. . To develop skills in collecting, interpreting and presenting data in an international fieldwork setting.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. . To develop an appreciation of the importance of experiential learning and to reflect on its impact on your own development.
How will I be assessed?
Formative:
The workshops and study visit will support the formative assessment for this module through ongoing interactive discussions and debates. development of the knowledge, skills and values listed in the MLOs.
Summative
You will be assessed in two ways.
1. 20-minute group presentation (worth 30% of the module mark)
2. 3,500 word reflective essay (worth 70% of the module mark)
Comprehensive feedback for the reflective essay and group presentation will be provided separately.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This intensive study visit provides an opportunity for you to engage with key themes in development practice in an immersive way within a selected overseas country . Through interactive workshops you will encounter contemporary development issues whilst establishing the leadership skills needed to intervene as an affective development practitioner. The module will focus on understanding development trajectories and development practice through the experiences and insights generated through the study visit. Whilst in the field you will interact in real-world scenarios with development practitioners and researchers during formal sessions. You will also be supported in learning the essential ‘soft-skills’ – local customs, conventions, and cultural knowledge – necessary for becoming a successful development practitioner.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 2 years Full Time (with Advanced Practice in the second year)
1 other options available
Department Geography and Environmental Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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