Global development Theory and Practice

• How can human rights and social justice be integrated in development processes?
• How do we appraise the consequences of global governance and the politics of aid?
• How does climate change impact on sustainable development?

You will also learn about the practice of development, including policy and programme planning, implementation and evaluation at different levels of organisation.

In addition, you will get the opportunity to develop and carry out an independent research project under close supervision of staff at The Department of Psychology, and thereby develop your skills as a researcher.

We offer two specialisations:

• Health Promotion: Gives you expertise in health promotion theory and practice in the context of global development. The general approach of all aspects of this specialisation is a resource-based perspective.
• Gender in Global Development:Gives you expertise in gender and feminist analysis in the context of global development. Focus is put on gendered power relations and vulnerabilities as well as processes of empowerment and social change.

Our programme also gives you the unique opportunity to choose between a 60 ECTS Master's thesis or a one semester's internship and a 30 ECTS Master's thesis.

Career

A Master's degree in Global Development Theory and Practice qualifies you for work in a broad spectrum of development aid organisations (the UN, national development agencies and NGOs), as well as national and local public administration.

You will be skilled in interdisciplinary teamwork and will know how to 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 may be qualified for further academic work, including doctoral study (PhD programme)

More information below

Sofia Petkovic

Regional Programme Coordinator

Structure

The programme covers two academic years (four semesters) and starts in the autumn.

Semester 1:

• Critical Approaches to Global Development (20 ECTS) (mandatory)
• Introduction to Methodology (10 ECTS) (mandatory)

• Development Practice (10 ETCS) (mandatory)
• Either Qualitative Methods and Research Planning (10 ECTS) or Statistical Analysis and Research Planning (10 ECTS)
• Either Specialisation in Gender in Global Development: Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues (10 ECTS) (mandatory) or Specialisation in Health Promotion: Foundations of Health Promotion (10 ECTS) (mandatory)

Semester 3:

• Either Internship (30 ECTS)
• Or Master's Thesis—semester 1 of 2

Semester 4:

• Either Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)
• Or Master's Thesis—semester 2 of 2 (60 ECTS)

See full list of courses

What you will learn

With a master’s degree in Global Development Theory and Practice, you can analyse critically the field of global development both at policy and academic levels. You are also able to implement and evaluate the processes and outcomes of development initiatives in partnership with communities.

Full list of learning outcomes 

Study abroad

It is usually not possible to study abroad on this programme. However, you can travel as part of your field work for the master’s thesis or organised internship.

If you choose the option of a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis plus a 30 ECTS internship, we encourage you to do your internship abroad for one semester at one of our collaborating Universities (lenke) or with an organisation. It is also possible to do the internship with a Norwegian organisation.

If you write the 60 ECTS Master’s thesis, we encourage you to go abroad for field work and/or data collection.

See list of recommended exchange agreements

How to apply

Follow the guidelines on how to apply depending on which applicant group you belong to:

• Citizens from outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 December)
• Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 March)
• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (15 April)

You will also have to meet the programme's specific entry requirements.