Global Development

Overview

The MSc in Global Development at the University of Copenhagen is a two-year programme taught in English.

The first year consists of seven compulsory courses including the mandatory field course in a low or middle-income country. All students undertake fieldwork in the same location. 

The second year is a year of specialisation wherein the fourth semester is devoted to your master’s thesis.

You have the opportunity to design and compose your third semester according to your interests. It is recommended that you link your third semester activities with your master’s thesis.

As a graduate, you will be able to

• identify and critically analyse key factors and forces shaping the livelihoods and well-being of individuals, populations and societies at global, regional, national and local levels
• independently analyse and evaluate policies and strategies for development and economic growth in low and middle-income societies
• discuss cultures and social norms in the contextualisation of theories
• critically evaluate, discuss and prioritise among key methodologies with regard to validity, reliability and applicability
• communicate and discuss research-based knowledge, advice and decisions across cultures and on different levels to researchers, policy-makers, media, organisations and laypersons.

Combining knowledge and skills, graduates will be able to work effectively with cross-disciplinary problems in the area of global development on an individual basis and in teams as well as being able to provide evidence-based solutions to situations which are complex and require new approaches.

Furthermore, you will be able to communicate your knowledge and findings to a wide range of audiences using different media and strategies.

Careers

The study programme paves the way for several types of employment depending on your specialisation during the second year of the programme. Many candidates will go on to jobs in private companies which interact with the Global South (Africa, Asia and Latin America). Other graduates will find employment in institutions and organisations engaged in development work and other international issues. 

There is considerable potential for production companies, service businesses and consultants in the global markets, especially in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and in the new growth countries, for example Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey and several African countries. Graduates of this new study programme can help realise this potential.