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Name of qualification

The master's programme leads to the degree Master in Philosophy in Global Development Theory and Practice.
The programme has two specializations; (1) Health Promotion and (2) Gender in Global Development

ECTS Credits

The master's programme is two years (120 ECTS)

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

Language of Instruction

English

Semester

Autumn

Objectives and content

The aim of this master's programme is to train advanced professionals in the field of Global Development Theory and Practice with specialisation in either health promotion or gender in global development. The overarching objectives for both specialisations are to provide the students with in-depth understanding of:

Global development through critical evaluation of relevant theories; integration of human rights and social justice; appraisal of global governance and the politics of aid; and assessment of impact of current or relevant societal challenges on sustainable development.

The practice of development, including critical appraisal of the project cycle, implementation and evaluation; and coordination systems at the levels of local organisations and communities, municipalities and states, national and international cooperation projects.

The contexts of sustainable human development including culture, international cooperation and physical environment.

Specialisation in health promotion

The aim of this specialisation is to give the student expertise in health promotion theory and practice in the context of global development. The general approach of all aspects of the health promotion specialisation is a resource-based perspective. The specialisation includes the 15 ECTs module on Foundations of Health Promotion related to Development and a 30 ECTs internship (or Erasmus exchange or courses in other departments) plus 30 ECTs thesis on a health promotion topic.

Specialisation in gender in global development

The aim of this specialisation is to give the students expertise in gender and feminist analysis and enable them to take a critical and reflective perspective on the significance of gender in the context of global development. Focus is put on gendered power relations and vulnerabilities as well as processes of empowerment and social change. The specialisation includes the 15 ECTs module on Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues and a 30 ECTs internship (or Erasmus exchange or courses in other departments) plus 30 ECTs thesis on a gender and global development topic.

In both specialisations, students may choose between qualitative or quantitative research methods depending on thesis topics. Please note that in some years it may not be possible to choose quantitative methods. Research ethics is an integral part of learning.

Required Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

Students have:

  • an in-depth understanding of the complexity of global development issues in the context of historical and current processes generating global and local inequalities
  • a critical overview of relevant theory relating to development issues over time and from different perspectives
  • a critical understanding of different approaches and practices in development
  • broad knowledge of local, national and global governance of development

Skills

Students:

  • can critically evaluate and apply relevant theories in a particular development context
  • can analyse social processes of change from a global or local perspective
  • have the ability to successfully conduct commissioned work at local or national level
  • have the ability to work or research with an organisation or institution at local, national or global level

General competence

Students have the ability to:

  • work collaboratively across disciplines to solve complex development issues/tasks
  • coherently design, analyse data for and write up an independent research project in an ethical manner
  • communicate in written work, oral presentations and through giving and receiving constructive feedback

Admission Requirements

Prospective students for the Master's Programme in Global Development Theory and Practice must have obtained an undergraduate degree or Bachelor's degree of at least 3 years' duration at a recognised institution in either social or health sciences, or have an equivalent educational background. The applicants must document special competence equalling one and a half years of study (90 ECTS) in a field or specialisation relevant for the programme.

For international applicants a minimum of 2nd Class, Upper Division or the equivalent on the Bachelor's degree is normally required in order to be considered for admission. For Norwegian applicants the requirement is an average of C or above on the courses of specialisation.

Applicants will be ranked according to their academic results from their bachelor degrees.

Bachelor degrees from UiB that qualify:

  • Education Studies
  • General Psychology
  • Global Health
  • Human Nutrition
  • Sociology
  • Social Anthropology
  • Gender Studies
  • Human Geography
  • European Studies
  • Political Science
  • History
  • Social Economics
  • Work- and Organisational Psychology
  • Administration and Organisation Theory

External bachelor degrees that also can qualify:

  • Development Studies
  • Development Economics
  • Social Work
  • International Health
  • Geography and resource management
  • Environmental studies
  • Global Studies
  • Agricultural Studies

Other bachelor degrees with at least 90 credits within the areas of Health Promotion, Gender Studies, Social Sciences or Environmental studies might also be considered for admission.

Example of degrees that do not qualify for admission are:
Engineering, mathematics, chemistry, international economics, business management, business administration, business psychology, economy, integrative studies, literature and languages, computer science, occupational therapy, odontology, nurse studies, pharmacy, sports, music, law among other more technical degrees.

Language requirements:

Non-native English speakers must document their English language proficiency according to the university regulations.

Application procedures:

Applicants from outside the EU/EEA.

Applicants from the EU/EEA/Swiss aplicants

Application procedure for Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway

Please note that we only evaluate application documents submitted through our online application system.
Emails regarding pre-evaluation of application documents will not be answered.

Compulsory units

GLODE300 Critical Perspectives on Global Development (15 ECTS)

GLODE311 Development practice (15 ECTS)

HEM303 Qualitative methods and research planning (15 ECTS) or HEM304 Quantitative Methods, Research Planning, and Applied Statistical Analysis (15 ECTS)

GLODE310 Internship (30 ECTS) OR Erasmus exchange or courses in other departments at UIB or other institutions. Students must apply on an individual basis for approval of courses taken at other departments or institutions.

GLODE330 Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

Specialisation

Health Promotion:
The specialisation includes the 15 ECTs course on Foundations of Health Promotion related to Development (GLODE 309) and a 30 ECTs internship (OR an Erasmus exchange or courses in other departments) plus a 30 ECTs thesis on a health promotion topic.
OR
Gender in Global Development:
The specialisation includes the 15 ECTs module on Theoretical Perspectives and Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives (GLODE 308) and a 30 ECTs internship (OR an Erasmus exchange or courses in other departments) plus a 30 ECTs thesis on a gender and global development topic.

Recommended electives

None

Sequential Requirements, courses

1st semester:
GLODE300 Critical Approaches to Global Development (15 ECTS)

GLODE309 Foundations of Health Promotion related to Development (15 ECTS) or GLODE308 Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues (15 ECTS)

2nd semester:
HEM303 Qualitative Methods and Research Planning (15 ECTS) OR HEM304 Quantitative Methods, Research Planning, and Applied Statistical Analysis (15 ECTS)

GLODE311 Development Practice (15 ETCS)

3rd semester:
Either

GLODE310 Internship (30 ECTS)

Or

Erasmus exchange or courses at other departments

4th semester:
GLODE330 Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

Study period abroad

This programme offers the opportunity to undertake an Erasmus exchange during the third semester. In addition, you can travel as part of your field work for the master's thesis or an organised internship.
Students must apply on an individual basis for approval of courses taken at other departments or institutions.

Teaching and learning methods

The programme combines different forms of teaching and educational tools, including lectures, seminars, workshops and other student active methods. digital teaching methods may also be employed. emphasis is placed on developing students' ability to read critically their own and other's work, and on developing their academic writing and presentation skills.

Teaching methods

The programme combines different forms of teaching and educational tools, including lectures, seminars, workshops and other student active methods. Digital teaching methods are also employed. Emphasis is placed on developing students' ability to read critically their own and others work, and on developing their academic writing skills.

Assessment methods

The students will be subject to different forms of assessment such as term paper, reflection paper, oral presentation, portfolio, take-home exam, report and master's thesis.

Grading scale

Two grading scales are used:

1) A-F

2) Pass/not pass

See the course descriptions of the specific courses.

Diploma and Diploma supplement

The Diploma and the Diploma Supplement will be issued when the degree is completed

Access to further studies

A master's degree in Global Development Theory and Practice may qualify the student for further studies at PhD level

Employability

A Master's degree in Global Development Theory and Practice gives the candidate broad competence in the development field, and qualifications for employment in a broad spectrum of local, regional, nation and international humanitarian and development organisations (the UN, national development agencies and NGOs), as well as in different parts of national and local public administration.
All students who complete the programme satisfactorily will be qualified for public and private positions that require entry-level skills in development programme planning, implementation and evaluation, related to their specialisation in either health promotion or gender and development.
Graduates of the programme will have demonstrated skills in interdisciplinary teamwork and will know how to build, participate in and manage teams with members from different professional backgrounds, and from community organisations.
Graduates will also be qualified to work as research assistants both in industry and in the public sector. Students with superior performance in the programme may be qualified for further academic work, including doctoral study.

Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the Faculty of Psychology's routines for participatory evaluation and the University of Bergen's Quality Assurance System.

Administrative responsibility

Department of Health Promotion and Development, The Faculty of Psychology.

Contact information

Faculty of Psychology,

Information Centre: info.psyfa@uib.no

Tlf: (+47) 55 58 27 10