Indigenous Studies UIT the Arctic University of Norway

Overview

The Centre for Sami Studies offers a two-year full-time master's programme in Indigenous Studies (MIS) at UIT the Arctic University of Norway. The programme is multidisciplinary within social sciences and humanities, and rootet in research conducted at UIT regarding the Sami and other Indigenous peoples. The thematic focus of the programme is the historical and contemporary experiences that Indigenous peoples have faced across the globe, and the development of the international Indigenous movement.

During the two years of studies, students take five thematic courses focused on key issues in Indigenous studies, and one elective are designed to give a broad base, from which students may choose a relevant research topic for the master's thesis.

The thesis work is supervised by a faculty member from the Sami Centre and the other units. Topics are chosen in cooperation with the program coordinator. It is customary to conduct data collection for the master's thesis at the end of the second semester.

Career

As a graduate from the Master in Indigenous Studies, you would gain general conceptual, critical and evaluative skills which are required in many senior jobs in the government and public sectors, civil society organizations, project management and education institutions. The skills to analyze public policy, plans and development projects make our graduates highly qualified candidates for working both in the public and private sectors at all levels, providing institutions and organizations with knowledge, critical thinking and advice in a wide range of processes.

The international nature of the programme connects our students in a global network that helps them develop a global outlook and competence to make high-level critical comparisons of Indigenous realities on the ground. As a graduate from the Master in Indigenous Studies your in-depth analyses of Indigenous peoples own experiences locally, nationally and internationally could be of critical importance for Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide. This expertise makes you qualified for work both with international and local stakeholders, contributing to frame, voice and disseminate their interests and concerns, and co-design suitable courses of action.