Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP)

CENDEP's award-winning Masters degree in Development and Emergency Practice is known and respected for its practice base and strong culture of student and practitioner collaboration.

Since its founding in 1991 the Masters degree has established an international reputation for excellence. In that time well over 600 students have attended the programme from all around the world, with many going on to hold wide-ranging positions in community based groups, NGOs, UN and donor bodies, governments and the military.

The programme is above all multi-disciplinary: each year students come from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. While many have extensive experience working within aid agencies and are looking to make sense of their experience, others may be wanting to become engaged in issues of poverty, development, conflict and disaster. Others still may have found themselves caught up in emergencies and are now looking to refocus their careers.

For details on the programme please review the postgraduate prospectus.

DEP in the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment

DEP began in 1991 when Nabeel Hamdi, an architect, left the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and initiated at Brookes a Master of Science degree in Development Practice. Reflecting this, 13 out of 15 of the first intake of students came from an architectural background. Since then the programme has evolved into a multidisciplinary Masters degree, drawing on a wide range of specialisations, including social science, political science, law, economics and anthropology. The programme today draws from its architectural heritage, reflected in creativity and innovation (a final dissertation can be presented for example as a film, a play, a toolkit), a focus on practicality, and an approach that brings together wide-ranging backgrounds and interest to address problems and issues.

Queen's Anniversary Prize

[The degree is recognised for its] international reputation for pioneering education and training for humanitarian aid workers. Combining innovative practice-based study with a multi-disciplinary academic approach, its unique emphasis on educating humanitarian practitioners for work in war, political violence and disaster is a model for others.

In 2001 CENDEP's masters degree was awarded the Queen's anniversary prize for Higher and further education. The Prizes scheme was set up in 1993 by The Royal Anniversary Trust with the consent of the Queen and the approval of the Prime Minister and all political parties, and of the Charity Commission.

Uniquely in the field of education, these Prizes sit within the national honours system. They recognise and honour outstanding achievement and excellence in UK universities and colleges.