Involvement Volunteers International 
Diploma of International Volunteering
Gain an internationally recognised diploma, as well as academic credits, alongside your volunteer program!
Overview
Are you interested in gaining an internationally recognised NOCN Level 3 Diploma, plus academic credits, to go alongside your volunteer program? We’ve partnered with Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS), experts in the field of international volunteering, to offer a Level 3 diploma designed to help you gain the skills, knowledge and practical experience to make a real impact in the world.
Choose from 3 specialised modules: Global Citizenship, Wildlife Conservation or Marine Conservation. Become a global citizen today and make a real impact in communities and environments across the world!
The diploma is internationally recognised, in which you can earn UK or US academic credits that can be transferred to your home institution, so it doesn’t matter where in the world you are joining us from!
Choose from 3 specialised modules: Global Citizenship, Wildlife Conservation or Marine Conservation. Become a global citizen today and make a real impact in communities and environments across the world!
The diploma is internationally recognised, in which you can earn UK or US academic credits that can be transferred to your home institution, so it doesn’t matter where in the world you are joining us from!
In partnership with…
Choose your Specialist Module
There are 3 specialised modules you can choose from: Global Citizenship, Wildlife Conservation or Marine Conservation.
Global Citizenship
The Global Citizenship focus equips you with the knowledge and abilities needed to create real change - whether it’s through addressing climate issues or promoting social justice. If you are not doing a wildlife or marine program, this one will be the best module for you.
Core Areas of Learning
• Global Issues: Investigate key worldwide issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental change, and human rights to understand their widespread impact.
• Sustainable Development: Explore the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and learn practical ways to support their objectives.
• Cultural Skills: Develop essential communication and collaboration skills for navigating diverse cultural landscapes - essensial skills in which every global citizen needs.
• Sustainable Development: Explore the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and learn practical ways to support their objectives.
• Cultural Skills: Develop essential communication and collaboration skills for navigating diverse cultural landscapes - essensial skills in which every global citizen needs.
Wildlife Conservation
Are you passionate about protecting the world’s unique wildlife? The Wildlife Conservation diploma teaches you about our natural environment, where you’ll gain practical experience in conserving endangered species and maintaining their habitats.
Core Areas of Learning
• Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Dive into the diverse habitats that support the worlds wildlife, and understand how these ecosystems contribute to global biodiversity.
• Wildlife Protection: Study effective techniques for preserving endangered species and gain skills to implement these methods in conservation settings.
• Community Involvement: Learn how to engage with local communities to support conservation and address the complex issues that arise from human-wildlife interactions.
• Wildlife Protection: Study effective techniques for preserving endangered species and gain skills to implement these methods in conservation settings.
• Community Involvement: Learn how to engage with local communities to support conservation and address the complex issues that arise from human-wildlife interactions.
Marine Conservation
If you’re enthusiastic about protecting our marine life, then the Marine Conservation diploma is for you. Dive (pardon the pun) into marine ecosystems, discover the challenges they face, and gain practical experience in safeguarding our precious oceans.
Core Areas of Learning
• Marine Ecosystems: Journey through diverse ocean habitats. Learn about the biodiversity that supports these ecosystems and how we can ensure their survival.
• Conservation: Develop hands-on conservation skills, like scientific survey methods and habitat restoration, to actively support marine health.
• Resource Management: Explore the complexities of marine resource conflicts and learn how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help secure ocean conservation for future generations.
• Conservation: Develop hands-on conservation skills, like scientific survey methods and habitat restoration, to actively support marine health.
• Resource Management: Explore the complexities of marine resource conflicts and learn how Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help secure ocean conservation for future generations.
Why Choose an Online Diploma?
What's Involved?
You will need to complete your modules before, during and after your trip. The course is designed to provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed for international volunteering. In total it is 36 hours of online study, plus a min of 20 hours on your volunteer program.
The course will give you 41 UK credits (TQT), or the equivalent to 16 UCAS points in the UK, 20-21 European academic credits, or 10 academic credits in the US.
Diploma fee: $595 USD
The course will give you 41 UK credits (TQT), or the equivalent to 16 UCAS points in the UK, 20-21 European academic credits, or 10 academic credits in the US.
Diploma fee: $595 USD
Modules: A closer look at what you’ll be learning:
Module One: Preparing for an International Volunteering Placement
Duration: 6 Hours (Before your trip)
- Cultural Awareness: This module will introduce you to the concept of culture and your responsibilities as a volunteer. You’ll learn about the cultural, social, political, and religious factors that may influence your volunteering experience.
- Volunteer Responsibilities: Understand the key duties you’ll have as a volunteer, with an emphasis on safeguarding and supporting vulnerable groups.
- Managing Challenges: Learn how to identify and navigate challenges in your placement, from cultural differences to managing your workload.
- Planning and Reflection: Develop skills to plan, deliver, and assess activities during your placement, while also reflecting on your learning journey.
Module Two: Reviewing and Reflecting on Your Role as an International Volunteer
Duration: 8 Hours (Before your trip)
- Self-Assessment: Reflect on the traits and motivations that drive you as an international volunteer. Explore how your personal skills and qualities align with your chosen role.
- Placement Planning: Create a tailored plan for your volunteering placement based on your interests and goals.
- Presentation Skills: Learn how to effectively present your ideas and plans—skills that will serve you well during your placement and in future opportunities.
Module Three: Your Specialization (Marine, Wildlife, or Global Citizenship)
Duration: 8 Hours (Before your trip)
- Choose your specialist module from Marine, Wildlife, or Global Citizenship to learn more in-depth about your chosen subject.
Module Four: Undertaking an International Volunteering Placement
Duration: 6 Hours + min 20 hours volunteering (During Placement)
- Real-World Application: This is where theory becomes practice. While on your placement, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to tackle real-world challenges, lead volunteer-driven activities, and conduct a community research project.
- Personal Development: Set personal goals and track your growth throughout the placement, ensuring you gain the most from this transformative experience.
Module Five: Reflecting on Your International Volunteering Placement
Duration: 8 Hours (Post-Placement)
- Consolidating Learning: After your placement, take time to reflect on your experiences and learning. This module helps you process your journey, understand the global issues you’ve encountered, and assess the impact of your work.
- Global Perspective: Reflect on how your experiences fit into a broader global context, encouraging you to think critically about how volunteering addresses global challenges.
Earning academic credit
The NOCN Level 3 Diploma in International Volunteering (based out of the UK) is a 41 credit (TQT), including 173 Guided Learning Hours (GLH). Even though it is UK based, you are able to transfer your credits internationally.
In the UK, the diploma is the equivalent to 16 UCAS points. In Europe, it equals 20-21 academic credits, and in the US, it equals 10 academic credits, which are awarded by Warren Wilson College. We Credit transfer allows you to apply the credits you've earned in this program towards another program at a different institution, helping you advance more quickly in your academic journey.
*Each institute can vary in its requirements. Before enrolling we advise you to consult with your admissions or academic adviser to ensure you understand how your credits can be applied.
In the UK, the diploma is the equivalent to 16 UCAS points. In Europe, it equals 20-21 academic credits, and in the US, it equals 10 academic credits, which are awarded by Warren Wilson College. We Credit transfer allows you to apply the credits you've earned in this program towards another program at a different institution, helping you advance more quickly in your academic journey.
*Each institute can vary in its requirements. Before enrolling we advise you to consult with your admissions or academic adviser to ensure you understand how your credits can be applied.
How do I apply for a Diploma of International Volunteering?
Here is a breakdown of the steps:
1. Apply
Choose a program you wish to join and make a free application. In the ‘Extra Information or queries’ section, please tell us which diploma option you would like.
2. Pay Application Fee
After your application has been approved, pay the application fee to secure your spot on the volunteer program.
3. Pay Diploma Fee
After the application fee has been paid, we will send 2 invoices: one for your volunteer program, and another one for your diploma.
4. Enrol
Once you pay the diploma fee, you will be contacted by the CGCS team within 48 hours. You will then choose your module, and they will help you enrol on the course.
5. Start the Course
You will need to complete the first 3 modules before the start of your IVI program.
