International Development Studies focuses on countries in the global South who are integrating in a globalised world. The programme looks at economic growth strategies, social inequalities and the ways of dealing with these inequalities in both rural and urban contexts. New participatory governance networks at local and national levels are among the strategies which are explored. Both environmental and social issues are included in the programme within the broader context of the strong urbanisation processes currently in the global South. Prime issues in the programme are natural resources and the management needed to provide them for growing populations.

The Master's programme in International Development Studies provides students with a thorough background in contemporary theories and debates on international development, as well as more specific insights into key themes within the international development sector, such as:

• poverty, growth and resilience
• globalisation
• children, health and education
• conflict and migration
• governance, voice and empowerment
• urbanisation, local governance and social inequalities
• sustainable development
• community-based natural resource management

A characteristic feature of this Master’s programme is a fieldwork period of roughly 8-10 weeks in a developing country.

For students interested in this field of study, we also offer a two-year Research Master’s.

Studying International Development Studies at the University of Amsterdam

The MSc in International Development Studies welcomes both Dutch and international students who are seeking to study international development issues in an interdisciplinary programme and to join an intellectual community known for its open view towards global concerns. A distinctive feature of the programme are the fieldwork research projects that students undertake in developing countries. The IDS programme builds upon a tradition of policy-oriented research through its extensive network of both Southern and Northern partners-in-development.

The University of Amsterdam is also home to the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), a major research institute in the areas of international development studies, human geography and spatial planning and policies. More information on the Governance for Inclusive Development (GID) research group in AISSR can be found on its website.