THE University of London External Programme and Nations University will be offering a Diploma in Development commencing in September.

According to a release, the programme aims to provide a thorough grounding in the principles of development and to promote the acquisition of critical skills for a wide range of real world professional situations, it said.

The Diploma will be comprised of four units: World Development; Economics of Development; Social Policy; and either International Relations or Principles of Sociology.

“This programme is suitable for graduates in any discipline who wish to gain an international qualification in development,” the release informed.

“This diploma has been developed by leading academics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) of the University of London. LSE is internationally regarded as a centre of excellence and innovation in the social sciences,” the release said.

To be eligible to register for a Diploma in Development from the University of London as an external student, applicants must be the holder of a full first degree from a University acceptable to the University of London and show competence in Mathematics at least equivalent to a pass at CSEC/O Level at Grade ‘C’ or above.

The release also noted that to complete the Diploma students must pass the four units.

Also, the programme can be completed in one to five years depending on how many units a student wishes to take each year.

It is however feasible, if one worked very hard, to complete the programme in 12 months, the release pointed out.

The total fee payable to University of London is Sterling £1,020 (G$408,000) depending on rate of exchange), if you complete the course in one year and the total fee payable to Nations University is G$440,000 hence a total fee of $848,000.

“Nations University offers generous scholarships for students of high academic promise,” it said.

The release also said that the fees are paid in installments on a semester basis however, fees for each course need to be paid in full.

“If the student chooses to take the diploma over a two year period the financial undertaking is obviously then spread out over two years instead of one,” it noted.

According to the release, the applications should arrive in London by 17 September therefore applicants are advised to register far earlier hence Nations is using an August 17 deadline for registration to ensure everything gets to London in good time.

The release said that fees include the supply of detailed study materials from the University of London which will be sent shortly after the registration form is received in London.

The examinations will be held in Guyana, in May/June 2009.