What the programme entails
The 15.5 month MA programme consists of coursework (40 weeks of fulltime study, 60 ECTS credits) and the research paper (25 weeks of fulltime study, 28 ECTS credits).
MA students are encouraged to develop a critical understanding of major debates, theories and strategic interventions and of the skills to analyze the issues, and to design and assess interventions aimed at tackling these issues. An essential part of this process is to develop skills in research methodology, which will be applied in a research paper prepared as a requirement for the Masters degree.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MA in Development Studies, graduates will be able to:
a) Analyze how industrialization, globalization, and climate change shape inequalities—such as unequal access to resources—within a dynamic and interconnected international context.
b) Critically assess development policies and intervention strategies, taking into account their theoretical foundations, practical implications, and the roles of diverse stakeholders.
c) Apply relevant development theories and analytical tools to examine, critique, and compare real-world social, political, and economic issues in development practice.
d) Develop and evaluate strategic solutions, targeted interventions, or tailored recommendations to address or mitigate specific development challenges across different contexts.
Majors
The Majors form an important part of the study programme. The courses are closely related and are designed to give students deeper insight and a higher level of competence in their field of study. Students write their research paper under the guidance of staff with relevant expertise. You must choose one major when you apply for our MA programme.
Please contact the ISS Admission Office at admission@iss.nl for more information about part-time study.
Specializations
Within the MA programme, students have the flexibility to deepen their expertise by choosing from our range of available specializations. While specializing in a specific area is optional, if you do decide to pursue a specialization, please note that your Research Paper must align with the chosen specialization.
Newly added specializations:
Other specializations topics:
- Conflict and Peace Studies
- Econometric Analysis of Development Policies
- Environment and 'Sustainable Development'
- International Political Economy and Development
- Local Development Strategies
- Public Policy and Management
- Women and Gender Studies
More detailed information of the specializations can be found in the Academic Calendar.
Education objectives
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.