Globale utviklingsstudier

Objectives, content and organisation of the study program

Graduates of the Master's Programme in Global Development Studies possess an extensive, interdisciplinary knowledge of theories of development, as well as a thorough grounding in the application of these theories and practical experience of specific issues through the work they carry out in connection with the master's thesis.

The two-year program is organised as four 30-credit semesters, with the final thesis constituting one quarter (or one half) of the required credits. Students are exposed to lectures and seminars, and acquire skills in critical analysis, field work, scientific writing, and oral presentation.

A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of C or the equivalent is required.

A one-page (A4) motivation letter outlining their background (personal, professional, academic), their motivation to study the M-IES programme and their contribution to the learning environment is recommended. In the international admission round, applicants with a strong motivation letter will be prioritized above similarly qualified applications without a motivation letter if all other admission criteria are met. In the local admission round, applicants with a strong motivation letter will receive a 0.5 increase in the grade point average if all other admission criteria are met.

Admission will be based on academic transcripts and the motivation letter.

Applicants must meetNMBU’s requirements for English language proficiency

General information on Admission requirements | NMBU.

Applicants must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree in the social, political, environmental, management or agricultural sciences or humanities.

A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of C or the equivalent is required.

A one-page (A4) motivation letter outlining their background (personal, professional, academic), their motivation to study the M-IES programme and their contribution to the learning environment is recommended. In the international admission round, applicants with a strong motivation letter will be prioritized above similarly qualified applications without a motivation letter if all other admission criteria are met. In the local admission round, applicants with a strong motivation letter will receive a 0.5 increase in the grade point average if all other admission criteria are met.

Admission will be based on academic transcripts and the motivation letter.

Applicants must meetNMBU’s requirements for English language proficiency

General information on Admission requirements | NMBU.

Why International Development Studies?

• You want to learn about the challenges facing developing countries.
• You want to study in an international environment and experience a developing country.
• You want to contribute towards poverty reduction and a sustainable world.

What will I learn?

• You will gain a solid grounding in the concepts, theory and practice of international development. You will learn a nuanced understanding of the concept and meaning of development.
• You will learn about conditions for human development at the local and global levels, as well as the relationships between development and ecological processes.
• You will learn to understand the connections political and economic processes in the north and south.
• You will learn the necessary analytical and practical skills to work in the field of international development.

What can you use this qualification for?

Although not a vocational degree, students find employment in a wide range of national and international institutions, government agencies, non-governmental development organizations, multilateral and bilateral aid organizations, businesses and research and teaching institutions.

Godkjent av: AV

Dato:01.01.2021

Etter endt utdanning vil studentene ha følgende kvalifikasjoner:

Kunnskap:

• En forståelse av utvikling, de ulike tilnærmingene og teoriene relatert til utviklingsdynamikk og kritikken av disse.
• Ha en spesialisert innsikt i et særskilt omårde av utvikling, f.eks. fattigdom, matsikkerhet eller institusjoner.
• Ha kunnskap om teori og forståelse av ulike begrep om utvikling, inkludert fagspesifikke og tverrfaglige fortolkninger.

Ferdigheter:

• Kunne anvende kompetanse i planlegging og være i stand til å utføre feltarbeid, prosjekt ledelse og utviklingsarbeid.
• Kunne gjennomføre tverrfaglige analyser av utviklingsspørsmål and evaluere tidligere erfaring med policy instrumenter sammen med kollegaer fra andre akademiske fag.
• Kunne bruke ulike metodetilnærminger til og forståelser av sosial relasjoner og drivkrefter for endring.
• Kunne analysere gamle og nye retninger innenfor samfunnsfag i forståelsen av fattigdom, rikdomsakkumulering, rettighetsutvikling og konflikt.
• Kunne evaluere og bruke primær, sekundær og tertiærdata.
• Kunne opparbeide et kritisk perspektiv på maktrelasjoner, etiske spørsmål og verdikonflikter relatert til miljømessige endringsprosesser.
• Kunne bidra til sosial innovasjon og utvikle nye løsninger til utviklingsutfordringer.

Generell kompetanse:

• Kunne planlegge og utføre selvstendige forskningsprosjekter, utvikle nyskapende forskningsspørsmål, og delta på en informert og kritisk måte i politikkutforming og prosjektutvikling.
• Kunne selvstendig løse teoretiske, metodologiske og prosjekt og policy problemer.
• Kunne anvende tilegnet kunnskap i nye sammenhenger slik som i utvikling, ledelse innenfor privat sektor eller i undervisning.
• Kunne delta i nettverk, forhandlinger, offentlige debatter, og ha evnen til å samarbeide med folk fra ulike kulturelle bakgrunner og faglige disipliner.

The Master in Global Development Studies engages with contemporary discourses on global development and explores the interplay between social, economic, political, environmental and gendered aspects of societal change across scales from local to global. Central themes addressed are inequality and poverty, the environment, climate change, global governance, armed conflict and violence, gender, food systems, rural development, decolonization and other struggles for justice. The programme builds on research-based knowledge from a wide variety of geographical contexts and emphasizes the complex interlinkages across levels and between countries and localities in a multipolar world.

Student-active learning strategies are emphasised, including field courses, internships, and dynamic student collaboration. The emphasis on interdisciplinary education and research methods provides empirical insights, analytic tools and practical skills in evaluating and formulating policies and strategies within the field of global development. The learning approach is sensitive to diverse cultures, ecologies, institutions, economies and knowledges of different societies and groups. Electives include field courses and internships that provide valuable practical experience. Exchanges with other universities (global or domestic) may be included in the degree. The M-GDS programme attracts students from all over the world and provides the opportunity to study in a unique learning environment with an interdisciplinary and international composition of students at a green and beautiful campus.

The M-GDS degree is a two-year, full-time English language programme accredited by the European Association of Development Research and Training (EADI).

• See 4.2