Study programme

The Master’s programme of 60 EC credits begins once a year in September and runs for 12 months. Some students will be required to follow a half-year preparatory programme before being able to start the one-year Master’s programme.

First semester

In the first block of the programme, students take the comprehensive core course in which we discuss the theoretical foundations of International Development Studies (IDS), topical debates in the field of IDS, and look into the application of development theory to policy and practice. In addition to this, students take the research training and fieldwork preparation course.

In the second block of the programme, students take two elective courses and the second half of the research training and fieldwork preparation course. Simultaneously, students will begin drafting their research proposals which will be finalised by mid-January before they leave for fieldwork.
Second semester

During the second semester, beginning mid-January, students will carry out their fieldwork and write up their thesis. Students return from the field in the last week of March in order to begin with the Thesis Seminar, which supports students in the writing process. Students will also meet once a week for the course Job Market Preparation in ID in which they get exposure to what is happening in the professional field of development and can start thinking about what steps they will want to take after completing the programme.

Fieldwork and Thesis

The Master’s thesis and fieldwork together make up 24 EC credits. The thesis builds on your independent fieldwork research, allowing you to combine theory with your findings. You'll complete this work with guidance from a faculty supervisor.

You’ll conduct your research independently or with a set partner from International Development Studies, in locations like Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, or the Netherlands.

When applying to the programme, start thinking about possible research topics—especially because some locations require a research visa (or equivalent) in advance. Most students will join a project aligned with their supervisor's expertise or apply for fixed research positions with our partners. If you want to explore topics outside these options, be prepared to find additional supervision and use your network and resources to arrange fieldwork.

List of our Partners

_{Note that you can only travel to these destinations in case of a positive travel advise. There can be no rights obtained from the publishing of this overview.}

Organisation	Location
Simon Diedong Dombo University Of Business and Integrated Development Studies	Wa, Ghana
Centre for Development Policy (CDP-Africa)	Rwanda, Kigali
Naku One (NGO)	Kenya, different locations
University of Southern Denmark (part of EPICUR programme)	Denmark, Odense
University of Venda	South- Africa, Venda region
Water and Land Resource Center	Ethiopia, Addis Ababa but also other locations
University of Brawijaya	Indonesia, Malang
University of Mekelle	Ethiopia, different locations
University of Development Studies (UDS)	Ghana, Tamale

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC

Core Issues in IDS: theoretical approaches and current debates

Period 1

9

Get introduced to the main debates in international development, exploring its history and current challenges like post-development and decolonial perspectives. You will study how development and environmental issues have merged into sustainable development and examine the roles of various actors, including states, international organizations, and social movements, in shaping the global political economy.
Research Training and Fieldwork Preparation

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

9

Learn how to design research by exploring topics like research problems, theoretical frameworks, and key social science methods. You will receive guidance on drafting and finalising research proposals to prepare for their independent field research. The course aims to ensure a smooth writing process for the final research proposal.
Job Market Preparation in the Field of International Development

Period 5

3

Get prepared for careers in international development by focusing on practical skills, understanding the job market, and networking opportunities. You will work in teams to create a project proposal, simulating real-world professional challenges. You will learn about program management, fundraising, and monitoring while receiving guidance from field practitioners.
Thesis Seminar Master International Development Studies

Period 5

Period 6

3

The thesis seminar consists of six sessions to support you in writing your thesis. Topics include writing steps, structuring, organising data, and preparing for the defense. You receive guidance on working with supervisors, ensuring data quality, and addressing ethical issues.
Restricted-choice electives: IDS Electives

Period 2

12
Research Project IDS - Field Work and Thesis

Period 4

Period 5

Period 6

24

The fieldwork and thesis project is a key part of the Master's program where students conduct research for 8-10 weeks in a development context. You will collect data, connect theory with practice, and learn to overcome research challenges. This experience enhances your personal and professional growth while preparing your final thesis.

Compulsory course

Elective

Find more information in the online course catalogue

Workload

What makes this programme unique?

Frequently asked questions

What are the main differences between the one year Master's and the two year Research Master's?

The biggest difference between the regular and the research programme is the time factor. In our research master there’s more time to gain more in depth knowledge and you will become an expert in the field.

The period you will spend on fieldwork will be longer in the research master (14-16 weeks), compared with the regular master IDS (8-10 weeks).

In the research master there is a strong focus on methodology courses.

The regular master’s programme is more practical, the research master has a more academical character.

The thesis for the Research Master is longer and builds up to writing an academic article.
When and how long do students undertake fieldwork?

Once the thesis proposal has been approved by your thesis supervisor, one-year master students (MIDS) undertake three months of fieldwork in Block 4, i.e. between the end of January until early April (for exact dates please consult your specific MIDS Canvas Page). The research master students (RMIDS) undertake three to six months of fieldwork in Block 1 and 2 of their second year or between the end of August until early January (for exact dates please consult your specific RMIDS Canvas Page).
What can I expect from a thesis supervisor?

While every supervision is different depending on the student and the supervisors, all students are entitled to a maximum of eight meetings with his/her first supervisor to discuss data-analysis, chapters, the final draft or other issues the student or supervisor considers relevant. The date of submission of the thesis, the date of the thesis defense and planned graduation date have to be carefully coordinated with the supervisor and second reader, to ensure their availability in the planned period.

Study programme

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