The first year of the programme is classroom-oriented.  

The first semester is made up of our core course entitled Theories, Issues and Debates, a course exploring the philosophies of science, and two thematic electives.  

In the second semester, you will prepare to plan your own research project. This preparation includes two required courses which are Research Design: Mixed Methods and a unique course titled Purpose, Portfolio, and Proposal Development. In this course, you will be guided in defining your positionality and research goals, laying the groundwork for your second year of academic independence.

Additionally, you will select two methodological electives during this semester. Another unique course, Re-imagining International Development Studies, will broaden your perspective on IDS beyond academia through innovative practice- or research-based projects with various stakeholders. 

In the second year, you will work independently as a junior scholar, focusing on conducting your own research for the master thesis. This often involves research in other locations to collect empirical data. You will also complete your individual portfolio, which includes personally tailored professional and academic activities, such as creating webinars or preparing a documentary. These activities will help you gain clarity on your future career aspirations. 

When you finish the research phase, you will take the Writing and Dissemination course which provides structure while writing the thesis. You will explore how you can share the conclusions of the thesis with important stakeholders through, for instance, an academic article, policy brief, or infographic. Additionally, career development workshops, held in collaboration with other research master's programmes, will assist you in grant writing, publishing, networking, and other essential skills to build your research careers. 

You will write a final thesis based on your independent research. This thesis will contribute to ongoing debates in theory. You'll be able to do independent research in various contexts relevant to understanding development issues better. This can be in the Netherlands or another country. Your research can focus on development, as well as on decision-making processes that impact development outcomes. 

Independent research is an important aspect of our programme. When you are carrying out primary data collection, you are doing more than addressing development issues in a classroom. Rather, you have the opportunity to explore them first-hand and develop your own lines of inquiry to understand them better.  

Most students consistently highlight their fieldwork experiences as one of the most valuable parts of their education. 

You can travel all over the globe for your research. We encourage exploration in a variety of contexts. This might include studying development agencies or issues in Northern countries, diving into issues like inequality, exclusion and/or power asymmetries in your home country, or looking beyond to the majority world.  

It's important to note that students cover the costs of their fieldwork, typically ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 euros. Fieldwork activities are also subject to rules regarding the safety of the country to which you are travelling and any health-related or visa restrictions. 

The Portfolio is one of the most unique aspects of our programme and stands out as a particularly valuable experience. It makes up 15 EC in the programme which you mostly fill in yourself. You can choose to make an academic profile to prepare yourself for a PhD, a professional profile to enter the professional field, or a combination of both.  

The portfolio activities are usually carried out in the same period of time as your independent research. These activities can include research or professional internships, but also less conventional activities or projects such as mini-documentaries, photo-narration projects, volunteer work, and extra-curricular courses, among many others. We will guide you in making your decisions about the portfolio. 

Our programme maintains a high academic standard. It is designed to be challenging so that you can achieve your best. Be prepared to fully immerse yourself in your studies. On average, you'll be looking at around 40 hours of work each week.