What the programme entails
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
ISS offers a unique international classroom environment, as well as exciting opportunities to engage with the many NGOs and international organisations located in The Hague, the “city of peace and justice". Upon completion of the MA in Development Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Analyze how industrialization, globalization, and climate change shape inequalities—such as unequal access to resources—within a dynamic and interconnected international context.
- Critically assess development policies and intervention strategies, taking into account their theoretical foundations, practical implications, and the roles of diverse stakeholders.
- Apply relevant development theories and analytical tools to examine, critique, and compare real-world social, political, and economic issues in development practice.
- Develop and evaluate strategic solutions, targeted interventions, or tailored recommendations to address or mitigate specific development challenges across different contexts.
Mode of assessment
In the MA in Development Studies, a variety of assessment methods are used to evaluate your learning progress and performance. These include:
- Individual assignment: May take the form of an essay, policy brief, academic paper, blog contribution, individual presentation, or computer-based task.
- Group assignment: Collaborative work can be included in assessment but normally accounts for no more than 20% of the final grade, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Examiners.
- Participation: Active participation in class may contribute to your grade, but only when clear criteria are provided to distinguish different levels of engagement.
- Take-home exam: In some courses, students receive an assignment during the exam period to complete within a set time frame under non-invigilated conditions.
- Written exam: Scheduled, invigilated exams where students answer open-ended questions. Multiple-choice questions may be included but can account for no more than 50% of the grade. The length of the exam depends on its weighting.
Important dates
The academic year is structured into blocks, each with clear dates for orientation, coursework, exams, and thesis milestones. Students should keep an eye on important deadlines for registration, thesis topic selection, and assignment submissions throughout the year. Please note that the dates and activities are subject to change.
Got any questions about this programme? We're here to help
Darren Baradhan
Study advisor and student outreach
- Email address
- study@iss.nl