Programme Structure

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.

Students enrolled in the programme September 2024 will follow the structure below:

First year

Part of the semester Part 1 Part 2
Semester 1

Applied Research
Methods
(7.5 ECTS)

 Global Politics
(7.5 ECTS)		 Global Development: Theories, Facts and Current Issues
(7.5 ECTS)		 Transnational Actors,
People and Placemaking
(7.5 ECTS)
Semester 2 Interdisciplinary Field Research
(15 ECTS)		 Social Science Perspectives on Climate and Development (7.5 ECTS) Global Business
and Economics
(7.5 ECTS)

Second year

Semester 3 Study abroad, internship and/or courses within social sciences (30 ECTS)
Semester 4 Thesis (30 ECTS)

For students enrolled in the programme before September 2024, the following provision applies: 

Table of equivalent courses

Courses at the MSc prior to the september 2024-revision Courses at the MSc after the September 2024-revision
Economic Growth and Inequality (7.5 ECTS)* Social Science Perspectives on Climate Change and Development (7.5 ECTS)

*The course Economic Growth and Inequality will be offered for the last time in spring 2024. The last exam attempt will be offered in summer 2025.

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.

You can choose between:

or a combination of these activities.

Master’s thesis

You spend your fourth semester working on your thesis (30 ECTS), which must be handed in at the end of the semester. The thesis is the culmination of your study in global development.

Academic year

In the Global Development programme, you work closely together with your fellow students during the first year. It is important that students get to know each other well and therefore we start the first year with three introduction days. Please make sure that you arrive in Copenhagen in due time to participate.

The approximate dates for the first year are:

  • Introduction days: Last week of August

  • First semester, incl. exams: September - January

  • Second semester, incl. exams: February - June. Field course is expected to take place in late February and early March.

  • Third semester: Dates depend on your chosen activities.

  • Fourth semester: Thesis to be submitted by May 31. The oral defence will take place in June.