Gain Academic Credit while Volunteering

You complete your diploma fully-online, and in your own time.

You have two years to complete it and it takes up to 41 hours to do.

The course is completely interactive, allowing you to engage with other students throughout your learning journey.

• Delivery: Online
• Cost: $995
• Hours: 41 hours
• Available time to complete: 2 years

When you book your project, simply add your diploma alongside it. Once you pay your sign-up fee, you’ll be enrolled and you can start work.

The diploma is made up of five modules (we recommend completing 1 to 3 before you travel):

• Module 1: Prepare for your experience (4 hours)
• Module 2: Explore your motivations and how to get the most from your trip (6 hours)
• Module 3: Specialist track (8 hours)
• Module 4: Complete your placement (15 hours volunteering experience minimum)
• Module 5: Reflection (8 hours)

Choose from one of four specialisms:

1. Global Health (exclusive to Projects Abroad)
2. Marine Conservation
3. Wildlife Conservation
4. Global Citizenship

Your work will be reviewed by an external examiner, meeting the criteria required by the United Kingdom’s Department of Education.

A specialist diploma is your passport to personal growth. It’s a great way to show universities and employers that you are passionate and committed to a particular area of study or career.

Our specialist tracks let you tailor your learning to align with your personal aspirations and professional goals. This means you’ll gain the skills and experience you crave, empowering you to shape your future.

Here are the four specialist tracks you can choose from:

Global Health (Exclusive to Projects Abroad):

With our Global Health Diploma, you'll gain a deeper understanding of health priorities, the factors that influence them, and how care is delivered around the world, including the barriers communities can face in accessing health.

Explore key issues like infectious diseases, nutrition, water and sanitation, and maternal and child health. Develop a foundation in public health covering the basics of epidemiology, disease prevention, and health promotion.

You'll also learn the fundamentals of community health and receive the essential information you need to make a positive, ethical contribution during your Projects Abroad programme

View our Medicine & Healthcare Projects.

International Volunteering (Marine Conservation)

This is designed for anyone who loves the ocean and its inhabitants. You’ll work with local communities to promote sustainable tourism, participate in research projects, and help protect vulnerable marine species.

On completion of the Marine Conservation Diploma, you’ll be well-placed to pursue a career in marine biology, eco-tourism, or sustainable fishing. You’ll also become a well-informed advocate for protecting sea life.

View our Marine Conservation Projects.

International Volunteering (Wildlife Conservation)

If you’re passionate about protecting animals and their habitats, then this diploma is for you. You’ll work with experienced conservationists to participate in research projects and contribute to conservation efforts.

This will give you the skills to pursue a career in wildlife management, eco-tourism, or animal welfare. You’ll also become equipped to join the fight to help secure the survival of crucial species.

View our Wildlife Conservation Projects.

International Volunteering (Global Citizenship)

This course is designed to help you develop intercultural competency and understand the complexities of global issues. You’ll learn to engage with diverse communities and collaborate with organizations to leave a positive impact. You’ll focus on social, economic, and environmental development.

This will open doors to a wide range of careers, including international development, education, and sustainability. You may end up following in the footsteps of our other graduates by joining NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations.

Volunteering abroad is a fantastic way to build skills and gain experience. By studying for your diploma alongside it, you’ll get academic credits to back up your practical work.

Key benefits at a glance:

• An affordable way to get internationally recognised academic credit towards university
• Stand out to employers with an international diploma on your CV
• Choose from four exciting specialisms
• Learn about the social, economic, political, and religious aspects of volunteering abroad
• Complete your studies from anywhere in the world, before, during, and after your project
• Increased inter-cultural competence, an important feature of any modern work environment

In order to gain the Diploma in International Volunteering, you must complete orientation and pass five modules:

• Module 1 - Preparing for an international volunteering placement: discover the culture of the country you’re visiting and learn your responsibilities as a volunteer.

• Module 2 - Reviewing and reflecting on your selection as an international volunteer: understand the skills, characteristics, and motivations of a volunteer.

• Module 3 - Special interest study: develop your core knowledge of either marine Conservation, global health, wildlife conservation, or global citizenship.

• Module 4 - Undertaking an international volunteering placement: identify and successfully complete volunteer activities during your placement.

• Module 5 - Reflecting on your international volunteering placement: after returning home, reflect on what you’ve learned and experienced.