Within our Leadership and Development MSc, we focus on the issues that highlight the significance of leadership processes and outcomes in the dynamics of development. Through this programme, you will gain a deep understanding of the increasingly key role that leadership plays in the context of development and transformation, with a particular focus on global south contexts. In today's world, next generation leaders must be able to thrive across different socio-cultural contexts while achieving success in organisations. Within the dynamic global landscape, which involves a wide array of diverse actors and stakeholders, leaders need a unique skill set and must be uniquely prepared. The Leadership and Development programme is designed to achieve the following objectives: • Deepen students' understanding of the diverse patterns of leadership that have underlined social, political, and economic processes and outcomes in societies across the world. • Advance critical knowledge of development in relation to leadership and problem-solving. • Develop students' profound analytical skills to address the challenges presented by the global landscape in the 21st century. Students will learn to understand the complexity of leadership operating across different levels and their interconnections. This programme uniquely blends the study of theoretical concepts with real world application, allowing you to comprehend leadership's central role in the dynamics of development across the globe.

Key benefits

• Our programme offers a unique and innovative approach to interdisciplinary leadership studies, focusing on its intersection with development and societal transformation. It is the only MSc programme in the UK examining leadership in the context of development and societal change.
• It empowers students to critically analyse complex leadership concepts and challenge conventional assumptions about what leadership entails, how influence is asserted, why leaders emerge (whether effective or ineffective), and the intricate relationships between leadership and institutions. This fosters personal growth, enabling students to make independent judgments, contributing to change and innovation within their chosen field, and transforming their ideas into impactful actions within their unique contexts.
• You will have ample opportunities to connect with the global network of the African Leadership Centre, uniting esteemed academics, practitioners, activists, and institutional partners, including universities, international organisations, research institutions, and policy institutions from around the world. Learn from leading intellectuals and experts in global leadership, peace, and security from both the Global North and South.
• Build upon and expand knowledge gained from your undergraduate or professional experiences, with a deliberate and clear overlap with development studies, politics, economics, and business and management (as well as other disciplines and sectors).
• Our programme delivers a dynamic and engaging learning experience that combines a rich array of theoretical concepts with practical, real-world applications. You will not only comprehend the intricacies of leadership and development but also gain the skills to apply this knowledge to your career and personal life, customising it to your specific interests.
• You will enhance your studies by attending a weekend workshop dedicated to leadership studies. You will join students from similar courses for training and problem-solving exercises, and get the opportunity to expand your personal network.
• Additionally, you can tailor your studies by selecting from a wide range of optional modules from across King's, with a particular emphasis on the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy. Explore topics such as leadership and society, research methods in global leadership, state and development dynamics in Africa and Asia, and emerging powers in global leadership. Customise your dissertation according to your interests, delving into areas such as applied global leadership, themes of gender and leadership, the examination of youth and society in the developing world, or the exploration of regional topics like African issues in global affairs.

“My tutors always try their best to support us and often invite high profile guests in the field of politics and economics to interact with us in the workshop, which is really helpful in deepening our understanding of leadership”

Yuqing, Leadership & DevelopmentShow more

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