Faculty of Social Sciences

SAMDE, Master of Science Programme in International

Development and Management, 120 credits
Masterprogram i International Development and Management,
120 högskolepoäng

Second cycle degree programme requiring previous university study / Program

med akademiska förkunskapskrav och med slutlig examen på avancerad nivå

Decision
The programme syllabus is established by Pro dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences
14-03-2019 (U 2019/127) to be valid from 15-10-2019, autumn semester 2020.

Programme description
The purpose of the programme is to provide the student with applied and specialised
knowledge of international development issues and international development
cooperation. Building on foundation courses in development theory (International
Development Perspectives) and methods (Theory of Science and Methods) in the first
term, the second-term courses of the programme provides the student with a
theoretical platform for a career within the field of international development. The
field-based components of the programme (the third term), moreover, apply the
theoretical knowledge to the professional reality of the area of international
development. The programme prepares the student both for a professional career and
for further academic studies within the area of international development.

Goals
Pursuant to the Higher Education Ordinance, for a degree of Master (120 credits) the
student shall:

(SAMDE) Master of Science Programme in International Development and Management, 120 credits /
Masterprogram i International Development and Management, 120 högskolepoäng
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Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
● demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the field of Development Studies,
including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of
specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current
research and development work, and
● demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the field of Development
Studies.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
● demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and
analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even
with limited information
● demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously
and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake
advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the
formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
● demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally
to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and
arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
● demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development
work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
● demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the field of Development Studies
informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to
demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
● demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in
society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
● demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and
take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

In addition to the outcomes stated in the Higher Education Ordinance, for a degree of
Master of Science (120 credits) in International Development and Management the
student shall:
● be able to apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem-solving
abilities to new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary)
contexts related to the field of international development and management,
● analyse and critically examine development theories, policies and strategies in a
variety of contexts, ranging from the micro-level to the international level,
● analyse specific development needs within the abovementioned contexts,
● understand and reflect critically upon key concepts and approaches of project
and programme management in the sphere of development,
● formulate development policies and strategies relevant to particular development
contexts, on the basis of the theoretical, analytical and practical skills acquired

(SAMDE) Master of Science Programme in International Development and Management, 120 credits /
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during the programme,

● apply these policies and strategies in real-life settings in developing countries,
● access policy documents and quantitative data from governments,
nongovernmental; organisations, international organisations, academic journals
and public data-bases and adopt an analytical and critical approach to this data
and information,
● identify the correct qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection and
analysis in a developing-country context, and
● monitor the academic and non-academic development within their field of study
and employ referencing systems and possess knowledge about scientific channels
of communication.

Course information
The programme comprises a total of 120 credits divided among nine courses.
The courses are the following:
1. International Development Perspectives, 15 credits
2. Theory of Science and Methods, 15 credits
3. Global Public Health, 7.5 credits
4. Development, Livelihoods and Rural-Urban Interaction, 7.5 credits
5. Sustainable Development and Natural Resource Management, 7.5 credits
6. Development Organizations and Programme Management, 7.5 credits
7. Field Studies of Programme Management, 22.5 credits
8. Field Methods, 7.5 credits
9. Master’s Thesis, 30 credits

Degree
Degree titles
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in International Development and
Management
Major: Development Studies
Filosofie masterexamen i internationell utveckling och management
Huvudområde: Utvecklingsstudier
For a degree of Master of Science (120 credits) within the programme, the student
must have passed the courses specified under “Course information” (or the
equivalent courses at another higher education institution).

Requirements and Selection method

Requirements
To be admitted to the programme, the student must hold a Bachelor’s degree
equivalent to 180 credits.
A good command of spoken and written English, equivalent to English 6/B (advanced)
proficiency in the Swedish secondary system, is required. Equivalent assessments will
be made according to national guidelines.

(SAMDE) Master of Science Programme in International Development and Management, 120 credits /
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Selection method
Based on the final selection among applicants fulfilling the entry requirements is
based on academic degrees, academic marks, disciplinary background, relevant work
experience, recommendations given by the applicants referees and the statements of
purpose written by the applicants. Special attention will be paid to the statement of
purpose.

Other information
The language of instruction and assessment is English.

(SAMDE) Master of Science Programme in International Development and Management, 120 credits /
Masterprogram i International Development and Management, 120 högskolepoäng