For fundraisers wanting to learn rather than train, there are a number of higher-level opportunities to further your knowledge, from certificates and diplomas, to MScs and MAs, and even a PhD.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next step, here’s a list of 12 of those on offer, with all the key details you need to take the plunge into some further research.
Course: Post Grad Certificate or Diploma, or MSc in Charity Management
From: St Mary’s University, Twickenham, LondonFormat: In-person. 2 days a week for full-time study, and one day a week for part time.Duration: 1 yearCost: £9,750Next start date: SeptemberApplication deadline: Suggested by mid-August although some applications may be accepted after this.Course linkCourse: Post Grad Certificate or Diploma, or MA in Philanthropic Studies
From: University of Kent, Canterbury.Format: OnlineDuration: 2 years part-timeCost: Last year’s fees were £4050 for the MA, £2700 for the PgDip, &£1350 for the PCertNext start date: SeptemberApplication deadline: At least 3 months before intended start dateCourse linkDr Beth Breeze, Director of the Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent:
“Our MA Philanthropic Studies is unique in its content – we teach fundraising, volunteer management and philanthropy – and in its delivery. We understand the difficulty in juggling a job, family and study so our MA is taught part-time and fully online so that it fits around professional and personal commitments. We do hold in person gatherings on campus but these are optional. It’s greener and makes the course accessible and inclusive for everyone, wherever they live.”
Course: PhD in Philanthropic Studies
From: University of Kent, CanterburyFormat: RemoteDuration: 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time.Next start date: September, January or MayApplication deadline: At least 3 months before intended start dateCourse linkCourse: Post Grad Diploma or MSc in Charity Marketing and Fundraising
From: Bayes Business School at City, University of LondonFormat: Part-time, requiring in-person attendance one weekend a monthDuration: 12 months (PgDip), or 24 months (MSc)Cost: Currently £10,700 or £6,800 for the diplomaNext start date: OctoberApplication deadline: 1 AugustCourse linkCourse: Post Grad Diploma or MSc in Charity Accounting & Financial Management
From: Bayes Business School at City, University of LondonFormat: Part-timeDuration: 12 months (PgDip), or 24 months (MSc)Cost: £6,800 (PG Dip), £10,700 (MSc) for October 2022 entryNext start date: October or AprilApplication deadline: rolling applicationsCourse linkCourse: Post Grad Cert, Diploma or MSc in Philanthropy, Grantmaking & Social Investment
From: Bayes Business School at City, University of LondonFormat: Part-timeDuration: 6 months (PgCert), 12 months (PgDip), or 24 months (MSc)Cost: £3,400 (PG Cert), £6,800 (PG Dip), £10,700 (MSc) (for April 2022 entry)Next start date: October or AprilApplication deadline: rolling applicationsCourse linkCourse: Post Grad Diploma or MSc in Voluntary Sector Management
From: Bayes Business School at City, University of LondonFormat: Part-timeDuration: 12 months (PgDip), or 24 months (MSc)Cost: £6,800 (PG Dip), £10,700 (MSc)Next start date: OctoberApplication deadline: 1 AugustCourse linkCourse: Post Grad Diploma or MSc in NGO Management
From: Bayes Business School at City, University of LondonFormat: Part-timeDuration: 12 months (PgDip), or 24 months (MSc)Cost: £6,800 (PG Dip), £10,700 (MSc)Next start date: OctoberApplication deadline: 1 AugustCourse linkCourse: Diploma in Fundraising
From: Chartered Institute of FundraisingFormat: Live virtual delivery or onlineDuration: Average 9-month commitmentNext start date: To be announcedCost: Members – live virtual £2557, online £2285. Non-members – live virtual £2741, online £2442Course linkCourse: International Advanced Diploma in Fundraising
From: Chartered Institute of FundraisingFormat: OnlineDuration: 30 August 2022 – 19 February 2024Next start date: 30 August (booking deadline 28 July)Cost: Member – £3950. Non-member – £4100Course linkCourse: The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification
From: CFREFormat: a third-party certification that assesses fundraising competence it has two steps – an application and an examDuration: Once an application is approved, candidates have a 1-year eligibility period to sit for and pass the CFRE ExaminationNext start date: 4 testing windows a year. Next application deadlines: 15 July & 1 OctoberCost: Standard fee for initial certification is USD $875 (roughly £733)Course linkAshley Gatewood, Communications and Marketing Director, CFRE International:
“We don’t offer courses per se, but the certification attracts fundraising professionals across the span of their careers. Certificants may be three years into their career (the minimum amount of professional experience required to become a CFRE) up through those with decades in the field.
“The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification is the only globally-recognised, accredited certification for fundraising professionals. The exam covers six domains: Current & Prospective Donor Research; Securing the Gift; Relationship Building; Volunteer Involvement; Leadership & Management; and Ethics, Accountability & Professionalism.”
Course: Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology
From: Institute for Sustainable PhilanthropyFormat: OnlineDuration: 40 hours over 8 weeksNext start date: 5 SeptemberCost: £1360 plus VATCourse linkProfessor Adrian Sargeant, Co-founder and Co-director, Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy:
“The dimension that runs through all our courses is Philanthropic Psychology. Yes, we teach fundraising, but we do it through a very particular lens, with the goal of developing more meaningful and loving donor relationships.
“We have a 40-hour introduction to fundraising class, our Fundraising Standard, which teaches donor behaviour through our PhilPsych lens and then a range of specialist certificates including our flagship, the Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology.
“All our courses are taught online, where students can learn at their own pace and they all provide a window on the very latest academic research alongside the best of professional practice. We also feed in new data from our own experiments and reports to keep the experience fresh.”
Looking for funding help?
Here are a couple of links.
Funding for post graduate study – Government info
St Mary’s post grad funding info
University of Kent post grad funding info
Blackbaud Scholarship – the Blackbaud Scholarship provides two partial scholarships of £2,500 (£1,250 towards tuition fees each year of the degree programme), assessed by application, for entrants to the University of Kent’s MA in Philanthropic Studies. More info here
