Globalisation and Development

The objective of the Master programme is to provide students with a solid understanding of the globalisation phenomenon in all of its dimensions (worldwide markets for goods and services, capital and labour/migration, the planetary challenge of the environment and sustainable development). It also offers insights and tools with which to analyse and affect the impact of globalisation on local development and poverty alleviation in low- and middle-income countries. As such due consideration is given to the complexity of local-global interactions in the multifaceted arenas of globalisation.

This Master offers only one track: Global opportunities for local development. This track focuses on the analysis of the interaction between external and local actors at the interface of global and local development processes.

The Master’s programme comprises 12 months, starting and ending mid-September, and consists of four modules.

• The first module (Theories of Development Research methods I and II) provides an overview of theories of development and gives students up-to-date knowledge of research methods and techniques, both general and programme-specific.
• In modules II (Globalisation and Development) and III (Local Institutions and Poverty Reduction) research-driven interactive education is offered.
• In module IV (Dissertation), each student conducts an individual development research project under the guidance of a supervisor. The topics covered relate to the thematic focus of modules II and III. A limited number of students receive IOB travel grants in order to conduct fieldwork or participate in an internship for their research project. The dissertation is the subject of a public presentation and defence.

All modules are attended by all students enrolled to this master.

Requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master's degree in Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, or related disciplines), with good study results. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree of four years of study can be admitted, provided they have attended additional courses/trainings and/or hold relevant professional experience. Applicants with only a Bachelor’s degree of three years of study will not be admitted to the Master programmes.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 550 for the paper-based test or 79 for the Internet-based test. Information about this test is available at the TOEFL-website. IOB does not accept the TOEFL ITP.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 on each component. Information about this test is available at the IELTS-website.
• A copy of your valid passport or identity card/a curriculum vitae
• A motivation letter
• A legalised copy of your degree certificate (please read more information on legalisation)
• Applicants that are enrolled in the final year should submit an original and signed letter from their college or university confirming that they are expected to finalise the program at the end of the current academic year
• A copy of your academic transcripts, provided with a stamp of the university

Scholarships

• VLIR-UOS: scholarships for students from developing countries: Scholarships are available for students from 54 scholarship countries in Africa, Asia and Latin-America to follow a training or master programme at the University of Antwerp.
• ASEM-DUO: Scholarships are available for students from China, India, South-Korea and Vietnam.
• Transition Fellowship Programme: Scholarships are available for students from 4 countries in transition (Brazil, Morocco, South Africa and Turkey).
• Mastermind: Scholarships are available for international students who want to take up a master degree programme.
• Global Study Awards: An individual global study award with a maximum value of £10000