Programme Structure
The MA in Development Studies is a one-year programme divided into four blocks of 15 EC each:
- Block 1 – Compulsory foundation courses (two General Courses + one Methodology course)
- Blocks 2 & 3 – Electives, Research Methods, and the start of your thesis
- Block 4 – Thesis research, writing, and defence
Diagnostic Tests
In the first weeks, all students take:
- An English academic writing test
- A numeracy and quantitative skills test
These help you identify areas for academic support.
General Courses (Compulsory) - Block 1
All students follow two General Courses:
- Histories and Theories of Development – explores the roots of development studies.
- Grand Challenges in Development Studies – looks at critiques of “development” and alternative approaches.
- Doing Development Research – introducing research ethics, critical approaches to data (including AI), and basic research methods.
Electives - Block 2
Choose two elective course (5 EC each) and one research methods course (5 EC).
Electives | Electives | Research methods courses |
| Political Economy of Agriculture and Food | Economic Analysis of Households, Firms and Institutions | Multi-methods Research in International Development |
| Economic Perspectives on Globalization and Development: Theory, Evidence, and Policy | Policy Analysis, Design and Implementation | Qualitative Research Methods and (Digital) Fieldwork |
| Feminist Perspectives on Gender and Development | Human Rights in Context: Law, Politics and Challenges | Quantitative Methods for Development Research |
| Social Protection and the Life Course | Political Ecology of Natural Resources and Development |
Electives - Block 3
Option 1: Students choose two elective courses (5 EC each)
Option 2: *one research methods course (5 EC) and one elective course - if you want a stronger research profile.
Electives | Electives | Research methods courses |
Climate Crisis, Disasters and Humanitarian Action
| Entrepreneurship and Organizations in Development | Discourse Analysis and Critical Social Research |
| Armed Conflict, Collective Violence, and Epistemologies for/of Peace Governance | Migration, Mobilities and Development: Global Entanglements, Livelihoods and Intersectionality | Deep Diving into Quantitative Analysis |
| Monitoring and Evaluation | Politics of Global Order: Debating Liberal Internationalism | Decoloniality in the Development Research Context: Decolonizing Knowledge |
| Humanizing Digital Design for Development | Behavioral Perspectives and Development
|
Thesis - Block 4
Your thesis runs through the whole programme, in four stages:
- Choose your topic and electives (Block 1)
- Develop your research problem & literature review (Block 2)
- Prepare your thesis design (Block 3)
- Conduct research & write your thesis (Block 4)
Along the way:
- You’ll join a thesis group (4–5 students) with a dedicated supervisor.
- A Thesis & Course Market in Block 1 helps you meet advisors and choose a topic.
- Your progress is formally evaluated at the thesis design stage and again with the final thesis.
Overview:
| Period | Block / Activity | Credits (EC) | Duration | Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 4 Sep | Intro Week | _ | 1 week | Orientation & introduction |
| 7 Sep – 13 Nov | Block 1 | 15 EC | 10 weeks | General Course 1, General Course 2, Doing Development Research |
| 16 Nov – 20 Dec | Block 2 (part 1) | 15 EC | 5 weeks | Elective Course 1, Elective Course 2 |
| 21 Dec – 3 Jan Winter Break –2 weeks | ||||
| 4 Jan – 5 Feb | Block 2 (part 2) | _ | 5 weeks | Methods Course |
| 8 Feb – 16 Apr | Block 3 | 15 EC | 10 weeks | Elective Course 3, Elective Course 4 |
| 19 Apr – End Aug | Block 4 | 15 EC | 10 weeks | Start Thesis, Thesis Writing, Thesis Defence |
| Graduation ceremony | ||||