The general requirement is completed bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration (180 ECTS).
Other requirements:
a) Either: a major subject of at least 80 ECTS within the social sciences.
Or: an integrated programme of at least two years duration within the social sciences.
Examples of relevant fields of study: Development Studies, Planning, Geography, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Politics and Business Administration
b) Additional admission requirements:
Social science methods, at least 7,5 ECTS.
A weighted, average grade of C or better is required.
For further information, see regulations concerning admission to programmes and courses at the University of Agder, § 24 https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-3370?q=uia.
The study programme combines knowledge of global and local processes of change, planning and development based on development studies, geography, social anthropology, cultural studies and planning studies. The objective is to develop a critical and analytical view on development in different contexts in both western countries and the global south. Students will be trained in developing and analysing complex questions and how to collect, analyse and critically assess knowledge and knowledge production.
The programme provides methodological and theoretical tools for change and development processes in different cultures at different geographical levels out of a social science perspective. The programme focuses on poverty reduction, planning and development strategies, cultural change, economic and ecological processes, power, identity and social practice.
There are two specialisations in the programme. The Development Management specialisation focuses on the role of management and planning for sustainable development in the global south. The course offerings employ a range of theoretical and methodological tools, geared towards a critical understanding of development studies that brings together theory and practice.
Topics:
The other specialization is Planning, Urban and Regional Development. This specialization is about planning and development of sustainable cities, regional and local communities. The specialization has three main perspectives. First, it focuses on forces of social change that affects social organization and everyday life. Second, it focuses on the facilitation of planning processes with a special focus on power relations, knowledge and participation. Third, it focuses on the construction of strategies for change and development in cities and regions.
Topics:
After completing the programme, the candidate should:
Knowledge
Skills
General competence
The teaching methodology will build on a team-based and problem-based learning platform with extensive use of case-based teaching and field studies. Students will be trained in conducting case studies, and to propose strategies for specific development and planning challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective. They will also be trained in how to approach their own and foreign cultures through an everyday perspective.
In courses given as e-learning, the pedagogy is mainly focused on learning through group work, discussions, joint exercises and individual assignments with guidance and feedback from the tutor and lecturer.
Each student is expected to actively participate and contribute to a good learning environment. Students will gain experience in different ways of acquiring knowledge and how this knowledge is passed on. Examples of teaching methods in both classroom and e-learning are lectures, group discussions and group work, fieldwork, seminars, and supervision.
The specialisation in Development Management is net-based, except from two face-to-face sessions. The first face-to-face session takes place in Kristiansand in the beginning of the study programme in August (two weeks). The second face-to-face session will take place in a developing country in May/June (four weeks), in the second semester. For students who cannot participate in the second face-to-face, there is an alternative on-campus. The language of instruction is English. Students doing this specialisation normally do fieldwork in a developing country in connection with their master’s thesis. The fieldwork can last from 6 weeks to 3 months.
In the specialisation Planning, Urban and Regional Development, there will be a combination of classroom teaching in Norwegian on campus and net-based courses in English. This specialisation also participate in the face-to-face session in Kristiansand in the beginning of the study programme in August (two weeks).
Global development and planning are interdisciplinary, international fields, which is reflected in the courses provided in the programme. Some of the strengths of the study programme are the field courses (1st year) and fieldwork (last semester, 2nd year). The field course for the Planning, Urban and Regional Development specialisation usually takes place in another European country, and the field course for the Development Management specialisation takes place in the global south. These opportunities provide practice-oriented knowledge, and the students acquire the ability to conduct empirical studies and participate in intercultural communication, and international and intercultural teamwork. Students in both specialisations often carry out fieldwork for their master’s thesis in various parts of the world, supported by our international partner universities.
The master’s programme recruits international degree students and exchange students. The department is engaged in several Erasmus+ Global Mobility partnerships that offer scholarships for master’s students undertaking fieldwork in the global south. Our partner universities include University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka), Makerere University (Uganda), Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Kathmandu University (Nepal), Universidad San Simón (Bolivia), and Wits University (South Africa).
Students may apply to go on an exchange in the third semester. The department has exchange agreements with many universities in different parts of the world offering interesting courses within global development and planning. For more information please contact the study program coordinator or the department academic adviser. Further information can also be found through the following web page: https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange
Graduates from the master’s programme qualify for work related to:
The master’s programme can qualify for admission to the Faculty of Social Sciences' PhD programme or other relevant PhD programmes.
Field work in connection with the master’s thesis
Normally, part of the third semester (10 ECTS) and the whole of the fourth semester (30 ECTS) will be fully devoted to writing a master's thesis. Students are encouraged to do fieldwork in connection with the master's thesis.
Use of lap tops
Students at UiA are expected to have laptops for use in learning and at examinations, cp. the Examination Regulations for the University of Agder section 12d.
For the master programme students depend on the use of a computer in all subjects. Canvas is the main digital communication platform between students and members of staff. The students are also introduced to other digital resources throughout the programme.
120
Full time
Kristiansand
Faculty of Social Sciences