Global development Theory and Practice, master, 2 years.

Note: Starting in fall semester 2023 the program will undergo some changes. Those who started in the autumn of 2022 or earlier, will follow the study plan you started with.

The programme offers a strong practice component. This includes group work with an organisation in Bergen to solve a problem or evaluate a project. In addition, students have the opportunity to do an internship, in Norway or abroad, with global organisations, municipalities or small NGOs.

Flexibility

In the context of an international study environment, the GLODE programme offers you a series of choices.Firstly, we offer a choice of specialisation:

Health Promotion specialisation gives you expertise in health promotion theory and practice in the context of global development.  This approach focuses on people and communities, allowing them to identify challenges as well as resources and strategies to deal with them. In addition to this bottom-up perspective, health promotion seeks to ensure that health implications of top-down action are considered at local, national and international policy levels.

Gender in Global Development gives you expertise in gender and feminist analysis in the context of global development, including postcolonial perspectives and theories of masculinities.  Focus is put on gendered power relations and vulnerabilities as well as processes of empowerment and social change.

Secondly, 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. This is an opportunity to develop and carry out an independent research project under supervision of GLODE programme staff and thereby develop your skills as a researcher.

Thirdly, you may choose to deepen your knowledge and skills in either qualitative research methods or statistical analysis.

More information below

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.

Top students may also qualify for admission to PhD programmes at universities worldwide.

More information below

“A three-month long internship turned into the three next years of my life,” Mats says.

Mathias James Venning

PhD Candidate

Structure

The programme covers two academic years (four semesters) and starts in the autumn.  The following study plan applies to students starting in the autumn semester 2023:  (For those who started in the autumn 2022 or earlier, must follow the study plan you started with) 

Semester 1:

• GLODE300 Critical Approaches to Global Development (15 ECTS) (mandatory)
• Either GLODE308 Specialisation in Gender in Global Development: Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues (10 ECTS) (mandatory) or GLODE309 Specialisation in Health Promotion: Foundations of Health Promotion (15 ECTS) (mandatory)

Semester 2:

• GLODE311 Development Practice (15 ETCS) (mandatory)
• Either HEM303 Qualitative Methods and Research Planning (15 ECTS) or HEM304 Statistical Analysis and Research Planning (15 ECTS)

Semester 3:

• Either GLODE310 Internship (30 ECTS)
• Or ERASMUS exchange (equivalent 30ECTS)
• Or courses at other departments (equivalent 30 ECTS)

Semester 4:

• GLODE330 Master's Thesis (30 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.

How to apply

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

• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA (1 december)

• Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 March)

• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (20 April)

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