The MSc in Development Studies is promoted by the Department of Political Economy (DEP) of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities (ECSH) and has the collaboration of the Centre for Studies on Socioeconomic Change and Territory (DINAMIA'CET-IUL), Centre for International Studies (CEI-IUL) and Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA-IUL).
In the 1st year/1st semester, students in the MSc in Development Studies reflect and discuss the theories, processes, policies and practices in global development.
In the 1st year/2nd semester, students learn how to design, implement and evaluate development projects and meet with professionals in this area to learn about their daily challenges and the complexity of the problems they face in order to try to contribute to positive change. This semester also provides for the attendance of electives in research methodologies, specialized areas as well as the possibility of undertaking an internship.
In the 2nd year/1st semester, students have two free electives and need to mandatorily attend the UC Dissertation that prepares them to write a proposal for the master's thesis or project-based work necessary to finish the master's degree.
In the 2nd year/2nd semester, students are expected to focus exclusively in writing their master's thesis or project work.
Programme Structure for 2025/2026
Curricular Courses | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Anthropology and Developement
6.0 ECTS
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Cooperation for Global Development
6.0 ECTS
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State and Development
6.0 ECTS
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Seminário Desafios do Desenvolvimento Global
6.0 ECTS
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||
Modernity and Development
6.0 ECTS
|
||
Global Development Project Management and Evaluation
6.0 ECTS
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||
Theories of Development
6.0 ECTS
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||
2nd Cycle Internship
6.0 ECTS
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||
Master Project in Development Studies
48.0 ECTS
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Master Dissertation in Development Studies
48.0 ECTS
|
Recommended optative
- 04659 | Civic-Led Global Development
- 00541 | Sociology of Modernity
- 00022 | State and Politics in Africa
- 03361 | Super-Diversity in Contemporary Society
- 01627 | Globalization, Social Justice and Human Rights
- 00424 | Contemporary International Migrations
- M6810 | Regional and City Policies
- 04660 | Ecological transition, work and employment
- 03647 | Political Economy and Development
- 04658 | The (Re) Emergence of Asia-Pacific: Ideas, Institutions and Agents
- 02022 | Rural Territories and Sustainability
- M0108 | Political Communication
- M8019 | Media Geopolitics
- 02427 | Great China and East-Timor: Media, Journalism, Politics and Economy
- 00201 | Economics of Knowledge and Innovation Policy
- M8025 | Media Management
- 01729 | Media and Political Participation
- 03364 | Digital and Social Media Marketing
Optional Courses > Research Methods
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
Objectives
The MSc in Development Studies aims to develop skills to:
- Critically analyze the complexity of global development challenges,
- Understand the importance of territorial specificities in terms of history, governance, ideologies and power relations in global development processes,
- Know and critically analyze the role of the various actors (governments, multilateral agencies, civil society and the private sector) in global development processes,
- Be able to identify, analyze and discuss a set of global development issues using appropriate analytical frameworks and methodologies respecting scientific rigor,
- Be able to collect, interpret and evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively facts and evidence on processes, indicators, results and impacts of public policies and private practices for change,
- Be able to lead, design, negotiate, implement, manage and evaluate impacts of change programs and projects,
- Be able to communicate the results of your research to multiple audiences, ranging from academics, policy makers, media, local communities, businesses and non-governmental organisations.
The MSc in Development Studies aims to develop skills to:
- Critically analyze the complexity of global development challenges;
- Understand the importance of territorial specificities in terms of history, governance, ideologies and power relations in global development processes;
- Know and critically analyze the role of the various actors (governments, multilateral agencies, civil society and the private sector) in global development processes;
- Be able to identify, analyze and discuss a set of global development issues using appropriate analytical frameworks and methodologies respecting scientific rigor;
- Be able to collect, interpret and evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively facts and evidence on processes, indicators, results and impacts of public policies and private practices for change;
- Be able to lead, design, negotiate, implement, manage and evaluate impacts of change programs and projects;
- Be able to communicate the results of your research to multiple audiences, ranging from academics, policy makers, media, local communities, businesses and non-governmental organisations.
Thesis / Final work
The completion of the master's degree implies the completion of a master's thesis or a project work corresponding to 48 credits.
The diversity and personal paths of master's students justify the possibility of choosing to carry out a master's thesis or a project work.
The completion of a master's thesis or project work is supervised by a doctorate or by a specialist of recognized merit and is subject to public appreciation and discussion, before a jury appointed for this purpose.