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.

What will you learn?

The degree is designed to provide our candidates with tools that enable them to; not only critically analyse the field of global development at both policy and academic levels, but also be able to implement and evaluate the processes and outcomes of development initiatives in partnership with communities.

The program offers two specialisations, “Health Promotion” and “Gender in the context of global development”. The first one, gives you expertise in health promotion theory and practice, focusing on people and communities, allowing them to identify challenges as well as resources and strategies to deal with them. The second one approaches gender and feminist analysis, 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.

Full list of learning outcomes.

Student life

The programme combines different forms of teaching and educational tools, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and other student activ  e methods.

Our program also provides you with the unique opportunity to choose between a one semester's internship   "or take relevant courses at UiB or other institutions in our outside Norway. Students organise their own internships with support from the programme if need be. If students want to do courses at UiB or through UiB exchange agreements, this can be organised with assistance from the programme or UiB.

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 private and in the public sector.

Admission requirements and how to apply

Application deadlines:

• 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)

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.

Study structure

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

First semester:

• Critical Approaches to Global Development (GLODE300, 15 ECTS, mandatory)

and either

• Specialisation in Gender in Global Development: Gender Analysis in Global Development - Core Perspectives and Issues (GLODE308, 15 ECTS) or
• Specialisation in Health Promotion: Foundations of Health Promotion (GLODE309, 15 ECTS)

Second semester:

• Development Practice (GLODE311, 15 ECTS, mandatory)

and either

• Qualitative Methods and Research Planning (HEM303, 15 ECTS) or
• Statistical Analysis and Research Planning (HEM304, 15 ECTS)

Third semester:

Either:

• Internship (GLODE310, 30 ECTS) or
• ERASMUS exchange (equivalent to 30 ECTS) or
• courses at other departments (equivalent to 30 ECTS)

Fourth semester:

• Master’s Thesis (GLODE330, 30 ECTS)

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.

Study period abroad

It is possible to study abroad in the third semester through the ERASMUS programme as an option for the 30 ECTS internship. If you chose to do the internship, we encourage you to travel abroad for one semester at one of our collaborating Uuniversities or with an organisation. It is also possible to do the internship with a Norwegian organisation.   

You can also travel as part of your field work/data collection for the master’s thesis.

Further studies

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

Questions about the study?

Student Information Center at the Faculty of Psychology

Study plan

A study plan is a formal document that acts as a contract between the university and you as a student. It must make it clear which framework applies to the study, which learning objectives you will achieve, and describe a plan for how this will be done.See the study plan here:

Study plan for MAPS-GLODE Global Development Theory and Practice, master, 2 years