Programme overview

The MA in Development Studies (MADS) at ISS is a one-year programme that provides students with critical perspectives on contemporary issues in global development. Located in The Hague—the City of Peace and Justice—ISS offers a unique international classroom environment.

Students engage with key themes, including social justice, just transitions, conflict and peace, governance, public policy, environment and sustainability, gender, and human rights. Elective and research methodology courses allow students to tailor their curriculum to their own interests and to apply their knowledge to cases of development and social change. Optional career workshops support professional preparation.

ISS attracts students from diverse backgrounds in terms of nationality, academic training, and professional experience. MADS students are encouraged to critically engage with major debates, theories, and interventions in development, strengthen their analytical skills, and design or assess initiatives that address pressing global challenges.

The programme comprises 40 EC of coursework and a 20 EC thesis, completed within 12 months.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of the MA in Development Studies, graduates will be able to:

1. Analyze how industrialization, globalization, and climate change shape inequalities—such as unequal access to resources—within a dynamic and interconnected international context.
2. Critically assess development policies and intervention strategies, taking into account their theoretical foundations, practical implications, and the roles of diverse stakeholders.
3. Apply relevant development theories and analytical tools to examine, critique, and compare real-world social, political, and economic issues in development practice.
4. Develop and evaluate strategic solutions, targeted interventions, or tailored recommendations to address or mitigate specific development challenges across different contexts.