The Programme
How does it work?
How does it work?
The LEAP programme in Humanitarian Practice is a fully funded, flexible, higher educational programme for Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff.
The LEAP programme in Humanitarian Practice is a fully funded, flexible, higher educational programme for Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff.
LEAP intends to broaden your understanding of humanitarian management and leadership, making you a more capable humanitarian.
LEAP intends to broaden your understanding of humanitarian management and leadership, making you a more capable humanitarian.
The programme is 'blended': with face-to-face courses taught at two partner universities in the UK, and online courses that you can do remotely.
The programme is 'blended': with face-to-face courses taught at two partner universities in the UK, and online courses that you can do remotely.
This means that you can tailor your studies to work around your MSF commitments.
This means that you can tailor your studies to work around your MSF commitments.
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
If you have aspirations of leadership within MSF - whether you are medical, or non-medical, regardless of your staff profile - then you should apply.
If you have aspirations of leadership within MSF - whether you are medical, or non-medical, regardless of your staff profile - then you should apply.
So far on the programme we have: Surgeons, Project Coordinators, Medical Team Leaders, Nurses, Operations Officers, Administrative Coordinators, Heads of Mission, Translators, and Logistics Managers.
So far on the programme we have: Surgeons, Project Coordinators, Medical Team Leaders, Nurses, Operations Officers, Administrative Coordinators, Heads of Mission, Translators, and Logistics Managers.
You can read what students have said about leap on our Student Voices page.
You can read what students have said about leap on our Student Voices page.
How could it benefit you?
How could it benefit you?
You can progress towards a Master of Science (MSc) over a two to five-year period, studying a range of courses in humanitarianism, to fit your interests and your role. There is also the option to take shorter courses over one to two years (postgraduate certificate), or two to four years (postgraduate diploma).
You can progress towards a Master of Science (MSc) over a two to five-year period, studying a range of courses in humanitarianism, to fit your interests and your role. There is also the option to take shorter courses over one to two years (postgraduate certificate), or two to four years (postgraduate diploma).
You can also benefit from a highly flexible course structure that will allow you to integrate your studies into your MSF career path.
You can also benefit from a highly flexible course structure that will allow you to integrate your studies into your MSF career path.
The LEAP programme has been designed specifically for MSF staff, allowing you to share experiences and build a professional network with other students from across MSF.
The LEAP programme has been designed specifically for MSF staff, allowing you to share experiences and build a professional network with other students from across MSF.
The programme is also open to external applicants, which means you have the opportunity to gain additional perspectives on humanitarianism from outside MSF.
The programme is also open to external applicants, which means you have the opportunity to gain additional perspectives on humanitarianism from outside MSF.
LEAP Study Pathways
LEAP Study Pathways
Depending on which OC you work for, you will be able to choose between one of four 'study pathways' as a LEAP candidate:
Depending on which OC you work for, you will be able to choose between one of four 'study pathways' as a LEAP candidate:
MSc (180 credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), and various standalone modules (10 - 20 credits each).
MSc (180 credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), and various standalone modules (10 - 20 credits each).
One credit is roughly equivalent to 10 hours of study.
One credit is roughly equivalent to 10 hours of study.
See below for more information on:
See below for more information on:
You can find out more about the programme on the LEAP academic partner website: Study Pathways, Academics, Module List.
You can find out more about the programme on the LEAP academic partner website: Study Pathways, Academics, Module List.
Please see our 'Key Student Resources' page for more information, including the timetable for the 2022/2023 academic year.
Please see our 'Key Student Resources' page for more information, including the timetable for the 2022/2023 academic year.
If you have any queries about the information provided in the academic partner website, please get in touch with the University of Manchester directly at: leapmsf@manchester.ac.uk.
If you have any queries about the information provided in the academic partner website, please get in touch with the University of Manchester directly at: leapmsf@manchester.ac.uk.
LEAP students in class, November 2022, Manchester UK.