About this programme
Understanding development processes in times of global change: Processes of development and transformation are playing an important role in today’s world. The interdisciplinary Master's programme "Development Studies" addresses the causes, conditions, and consequences of such processes. The programme offers multiple perspectives on "development" that link methodological and theoretical approaches, and reveal connections between economic, social, political, and spatial conditions. Development Studies is mainly taught in English and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Classes in German broaden the choice, but they are not mandatory. Master complexity through interdisciplinarity: The programme combines interdisciplinary academic analysis with practice-oriented approaches by including a mandatory internship and exchanges with practitioners. The disciplinary perspectives that contribute to the programme include economics, human geography, political science, and sociology, amongst other additional choices. Students choose one disciplinary focus area to guarantee that they can be considered for a disciplinary PhD programme after their Master’s. All disciplines involved address both theoretical and empirical perspectives on matters of global development, while a mandatory general section of the programme ensures the interdisciplinary integration of all four disciplines into the study experience of all students. Students can generally choose from a wide range of courses and opportunities to build their own profile. Teaching and learning content will be paradigmatically deepened making use of the University of Bayreuth’s unique interdisciplinary expertise in African affairs. However, the programme does not exclusively draw on African experiences, but clearly goes beyond this through the use of global and comparative approaches. The multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective of the programme trains graduates for the broad fields of development cooperation, the sustainable transformation of economies and societies, and the related field of international relations. The "project-focussed units" tie academic research to practice. Students are required to do an internship or participate in empirical research projects (subject to relevant opportunities) in the broader field of global development. Internships in research or practice are individually prepared with the help of flexible modules that allow students to deepen their understanding of a relevant topic or methodology. Moreover, students have the opportunity within the project-focussed units to critically examine current processes in development professions. The active participation in planning and organising the project offers important experience and skills that are necessary for employment. Please find more information about the study scheme and course structure on the programme’s website that go beyond the general set-up presented in the following: 1) General Foundations (28 ECTS) Introduction to Development Studies Regional Geography Macroeconomics Qualitative Methods for the Social Sciences Contemporary Theoretical Approaches to Global Development 2) Advanced Foundations (20 ECTS) Social and Political Processes in Global Development Geographies of Environment and Development Economics, Governance, and Development 3) Three Individual Focus Areas (students select one out of three; 18 ECTS) a) Advanced Global Sociology and Politics Actors and Policies in Global Development Global Entanglements Social and Political Processes in Africa b) Advanced Global Geography Spatial Perspectives on Socio-Economic Development Processes Development Cooperation / Development Planning Political Ecology / Economy of Global Change c) Advanced International Economics Economic Progress and Institutional Change Economic Development Topics in Economics and Governance 4) Project-Focussed Units (28 ECTS) Individual Deepening Internship 5) Master's thesis (26 ECTS) PDF Download
Course details verified 09 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source