Fieldwork

Most of our GDI Masters programmes include an extended fieldwork visit, which is an integral part of the programme.

Fieldwork gives GDI taught master's students an opportunity to put their skills to the test in a real environment.

All fieldtrip destinations are subject to change, and students will be given information on the destination for that year at the start of their academic programme. Previous field work assignments have included Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Kendal, Rwanda, Cyprus, Uganda and South Africa and allowed students to augment their classroom learning.

Below you will find some information on past locations.

Uganda

"What struck me was the openness of quality speakers to discuss Uganda’s challenges and the respect we were given as students from The University of Manchester."

Cyprus

"Our visit to the UNDP facilities and the buffer zone expanded our knowledge about the reality of Cyprus. We learnt about the complexity of working on the re-unification of the country and the projects on both sides." 

Cape Town

"It has been very educational and a lot of fun too. We've heard about data in the community, we met city councillors who talked about the conditions in Cape Town and how they run things here. It's been a wonderful experience."

Global Inequalities Campaign Manager Caroline Boyd joined students on a Cape Town visit. Read about the experience:

SEED Field Course Disclaimer

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

We will do our best to deliver fieldwork and placements in line with the original programme information given. However, it might become necessary for us to make changes – for example, due to:

  • changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
  • a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
  • changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
  • changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
  • the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
  • the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs.

We will always seek to limit changes to those which are identified as being necessary. Where the proposed activity cannot proceed, we will do our best to offer a suitable alternative and ensure that the intended learning outcomes of the Programme are met.

  • Where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar.
  • Where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

  • a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged; and
  • the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

  • a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry); and
  • a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

  • a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged; and
  • the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.