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Master in Development Studies

Master of Arts in Development Studies (MA)

The Institute of Social Studies in The Hague is an international postgraduate school and one of the oldest and largest centres for the comparative study of social, political and economic development.

In the MA programme you learn about the most recent theories and debates in your area of specialisation and learn to apply this knowledge to practical issues of development and social change. Students come from government, NGOs, universities and private companies, as well as some directly from their previous studies. The staff is drawn from around thirty countries from all over the world.

Majors on offer:
1. Advancing Social Justice
2. Agrarian and Environmental Studies
3. Economics of Development
4. Governance, Policy and Political Economy
5. Social Policy for Development

Career opportunities Master in Development Studies

ISS students are young and mid career professionals who often return to their previous job or make another career step. ISS alumni are working in NGOs governments, universities and international organisations as the UN and Worldbank.

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Education objectives Master in Development Studies

Graduates will be able to understand processes of social development and change and how such processes at various levels (from local to global) interact. They will be able to present a critical overview of major issues, theories, debates and strategic interventions in the field of Development Studies.

Target audience Master in Development Studies

The programme would be invaluable to young and mid-career professionals currently working in the government sector, national or international NGOs and staff of Southern and Northern universities focusing on Development Studies.

Admission criteria Master in Development Studies

• Applicants are required to have a Bachelor degree in one of the social sciences or equivalent, comprising at least three years studies at a recognised university or institute of higher education. They must have obtained at least class 2.2 (Lower Second), B or equivalent, but preferably class 2.1 (Upper Second), B+ or equivalent. Applicants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan are required to have an MA degree.
• Professional experience relevant to the specialisation which the applicant wishes to study is normally expected and is a preference for admission.
• Applicants who are not native English speakers are required to demonstrate their proficiency. Thus on application for admittance to an ISS programme, students must provide a certificate from TOEFL (PBT-580, CBT-237, iBT 92) or IELTS academic test 6.5.

Application Master in Development Studies

You can apply to the MA programme by filling in a complete application form. The applications are assessed on a regular basis by the Admission Board.

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Specialisation Master in Development Studies

Please see below for information about the specialisations within this Master programme. Whether a specialisation is offered full-time or part-time, is indicated accordingly.