StudyQA — Master: Development and International Relations

Photos of university / #aaustudieliv

Description Contents Requirements

Development and International Relations (DIR) is an intensive two-year (four semesters) master program at Aalborg University, Denmark. It aims at providing an interdisciplinary insight in studies of development and international relations from a social sciences' perspective. DIR gives you the opportunity to become a dynamic practitioner in your field, whether your interests are strategic, managerial, policy-related, or all of the above.

You will achieve knowledge about various theoretical approaches to the study of development and international relations, learn to analyse aspects of economic, cultural, political and social developments from an interdisciplinary perspective, and benefit from the experience of working in an intercultural environment derived both from participation in the international degree program at Aalborg University and from an internship.

Our learning model rests upon principles of inter-disciplinary, problem-based learning and project work. Today, we are one of the leading universities in this method - but what truly sets us apart is the close connection between students and faculty. It begins by students themselves identifying real-world problems, which they tackle through group projects in cooperation with their supervisor. In a recent OECD evaluation, our teaching model was applauded for being optimal for learning.

It is possible to study Development and International Relations for one or two semesters as a guest/exchange student. Guest/exchange students studying two semesters will obtain a one-year specialization Diploma. Note that guest/exchange students who are admitted for one semester will only obtain academic credits but not the diploma.

* Full degree students begin 1 September.
* Guest/exchange students begin 1 September or 1 February.

In the first semester at Development and International relations at Aalborg University students attend a wide range of lectures related to modern-day concerns in international relations. The second semester focuses predominantly on development problems, challenges and possibilities.

Third semester consists either of a study period within the field of development and international relations at a foreign university, or an internship in an institution or organisation having an international relations or development dimension in its activities.

Finally each student writes a masters thesis the last fourth semester.

1st semester

Course topics

* Development and Political Change 5 ECTS credits
* International Organisations 5 ECTS credits
* Theories of International Relations 5 ECTS credits
* Project work 15 ECTS credits

2nd semester

Course topics

* International Political Economy: Presentation of the Main Schools and Critique 5 ECTS credits
* Culture, Identities and Politics 5 ECTS credits
* Globalization, Culture and Modernity: Challenges to Third World Development 5 ECTS credits
* Project work 15 ECTS credits

3rd semester

* Internship abroad/ Denmark or Study period abroad 15/15 ECTS credits

4th semester - Master's Thesis 30 ECTS credits

Optional courses are offered according to the specific needs of the foreign and Danish students in: Scandinavian Studies, Methodology of Project Work, and Language Training (each 1 ECTS credit).

In addition to the courses on 1st and 2nd semester, students prepare a project in groups. The theme of the project is normally related to the themes of the courses. As a general rule, 50% of a semester's work is devoted to the preparation of the project (15 ECTS credits).

Although Development and International Relations is an interdisciplinary study, a social science background is essential. While a bachelors degree in a social science for instance economics, international relations, or political science is directly relevant, other degrees such as history, geography, law or anthropology are equally qualified for admission.Foreign students are required to pass one of the English proficiency tests accepted by Aalborg University. These are IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge ESOL.The test has to be less than two years old, otherwise it will not be accepted as valid. Danish students must have no less than a B-level in English.You do not have to submit an English test if one of the following criteria applies to you: * You have a complete bachelor degree done in English from either Australia, the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, USA, New Zealand, South Africa or Canada. * You have a complete bachelor degree done in English from a Danish University. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80