Development Studies
Source: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/development-studies-master-of-science-programme-SADVS Parent: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/university-glance/mission-vision-and-values/sustainability/sustainability-education-lund-university
Master's programme • 2 years • 120 credits
Are you interested in working with development related issues, with a focus on human development, poverty reduction and sustainability? This interdisciplinary programme gives insights into development-related fields from a social science point of view.
Start
Autumn 2026
Duration
2 years
Level
Master's
Language
English
Place of study
Lund
- Overview
- Teaching and learning
- Career prospects
Overview
In this programme, you will learn about important development challenges and explore ideas that explain what makes progress possible. The programme will give you the background knowledge and skills to understand, assess and work in development-related fields. This could be in direct poverty reduction or in other aspects of social and institutional development.
The programme will help you acquire a critical social science approach. This will prepare you for post-graduate studies and enabling you to contribute to sustainable development as a policy maker, trainer, or practitioner in government agencies, private firms, and non-governmental organisations.
Teaching and learning
The Master of Science Programme in Development Studies is taught entirely in English. Lectures and seminars are held regularly, providing a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical application. As a student you will engage in discussions, group work, and presentations to improve your understanding and communication skills.
Campus Paradis: a central study environment in Lund
Campus Paradis is where most of Lund University's social science programmes are taught. The campus is centrally located in Lund, in a historic neighborhood. Many of the buildings here were formerly hospitals, which is why they have been given names such as Gamla kirurgen (Old Surgery) and Gamla barnsjukhuset (Old Children's Hospital). The buildings were constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries and are valuable from a cultural and historical perspective, giving the area a unique character.
Another thing that distinguishes Campus Paradis from other parts of Lund University is the proximity between different study environments, libraries, and cafés, all surrounded by lush greenery and pleasant outdoor areas. In the area, you will find the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), where you can borrow course literature and find a quiet place to study. Next to Sambib is Micrologen, where you can easily heat up your own lunch box. On campus, you will also find Samvetet, where the student union for social scientists is located. There are two cafés here: Café Eden and Karnas café. Here you can have a coffee, eat lunch, or take a break between lectures. Since Campus Paradis is centrally located in Lund, you are also close to restaurants, other cafés, and the central station.
Career prospects
The programme in development studies will prepare you for PhD studies as well as for a career in a role as policy maker, trainer or practitioner, in government agencies, private firms and non-governmental organisations.
Degree
After completing the programme, you will acquire a Degree of Master of Science in Development Studies (120 credits), with a major in either of the following:
- Gender Studies
- Development Studies
- Human Geography
- Political Science
- Social Work
- Social Anthropology
- Sociology
- Sociology of Law
The major corresponds to the major in your Bachelor's degree.
- Dates
- Requirements and selection
- Tuition fees
- Scholarships and funding
Dates
Autumn Semester 2026
Closed for applications.
Lund - Full time 100%
Apply now
Start
28 August 2026
28 Aug 2026
End
4 June 2028
4 Jun 2028
Form
Normal learning
Pace
Full time
Language
English
City
Lund
Apply now
Good to know about applying for international Master's programmes
Most international Master's programmes require you to submit programme-specific documents as part of your application. Make sure to check the requirements carefully.
Requirements and selection
Prerequisites
A Bachelor’s degree with a major (i.e. at least 90 ECTS credits) in one of the following social sciences disciplines: Development studies, Gender Studies, Human Geography, Political Science, Social Work, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Sociology of Law or equivalent. English course 6 (advanced proficiency).
Selection criteria
The applicant’s estimated capacity to complete the programme is the primary criterion for selection. Students are selected on the basis of their previous study results (grades on courses and thesis in the Bachelor’s degree), proficiency in English and a statement of purpose.Since this a multidisciplinary programme it is essential to attain an even distribution among different majors within the group. The number of admitted applicants from one major shall not exceed 30 % of all students admitted to the programme. Hence the applicant’s major will be used as a selection criterion in case of many applicants from one major. The following main fields of study are eligible as majors: Gender Studies, Development Studies, Human Geography, Political Science, Social Work, Social Anthropology, Sociology and Sociology of Law.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
Citizens of countries outside:
- The European Union (EU)
- The European Economic Area (EEA) and
- Switzerland
are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each \ semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 270,000 \ First payment: SEK 67,500
Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.
No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Scholarships and funding
Lund University Global Scholarship Programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarship: Global professionals
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.
External scholarships
In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries.
Overview
In this programme, you will learn about important development challenges and explore ideas that explain what makes progress possible. The programme will give you the background knowledge and skills to understand, assess and work in development-related fields. This could be in direct poverty reduction or in other aspects of social and institutional development.
The programme will help you acquire a critical social science approach. This will prepare you for post-graduate studies and enabling you to contribute to sustainable development as a policy maker, trainer, or practitioner in government agencies, private firms, and non-governmental organisations.
Teaching and learning
The Master of Science Programme in Development Studies is taught entirely in English. Lectures and seminars are held regularly, providing a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical application. As a student you will engage in discussions, group work, and presentations to improve your understanding and communication skills.
Campus Paradis: a central study environment in Lund
Campus Paradis is where most of Lund University's social science programmes are taught. The campus is centrally located in Lund, in a historic neighborhood. Many of the buildings here were formerly hospitals, which is why they have been given names such as Gamla kirurgen (Old Surgery) and Gamla barnsjukhuset (Old Children's Hospital). The buildings were constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries and are valuable from a cultural and historical perspective, giving the area a unique character.
Another thing that distinguishes Campus Paradis from other parts of Lund University is the proximity between different study environments, libraries, and cafés, all surrounded by lush greenery and pleasant outdoor areas. In the area, you will find the Social Sciences Library (Sambib) and the University Library (UB), where you can borrow course literature and find a quiet place to study. Next to Sambib is Micrologen, where you can easily heat up your own lunch box. On campus, you will also find Samvetet, where the student union for social scientists is located. There are two cafés here: Café Eden and Karnas café. Here you can have a coffee, eat lunch, or take a break between lectures. Since Campus Paradis is centrally located in Lund, you are also close to restaurants, other cafés, and the central station.
Career prospects
The programme in development studies will prepare you for PhD studies as well as for a career in a role as policy maker, trainer or practitioner, in government agencies, private firms and non-governmental organisations.
Degree
After completing the programme, you will acquire a Degree of Master of Science in Development Studies (120 credits), with a major in either of the following:
- Gender Studies
- Development Studies
- Human Geography
- Political Science
- Social Work
- Social Anthropology
- Sociology
- Sociology of Law
The major corresponds to the major in your Bachelor's degree.
Dates
Autumn Semester 2026
Closed for applications.
Lund - Full time 100%
Apply now
Start
28 August 2026
28 Aug 2026
End
4 June 2028
4 Jun 2028
Form
Normal learning
Pace
Full time
Language
English
City
Lund
Apply now
Good to know about applying for international Master's programmes
Most international Master's programmes require you to submit programme-specific documents as part of your application. Make sure to check the requirements carefully.
Requirements and selection
Prerequisites
A Bachelor’s degree with a major (i.e. at least 90 ECTS credits) in one of the following social sciences disciplines: Development studies, Gender Studies, Human Geography, Political Science, Social Work, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Sociology of Law or equivalent. English course 6 (advanced proficiency).
Selection criteria
The applicant’s estimated capacity to complete the programme is the primary criterion for selection. Students are selected on the basis of their previous study results (grades on courses and thesis in the Bachelor’s degree), proficiency in English and a statement of purpose.Since this a multidisciplinary programme it is essential to attain an even distribution among different majors within the group. The number of admitted applicants from one major shall not exceed 30 % of all students admitted to the programme. Hence the applicant’s major will be used as a selection criterion in case of many applicants from one major. The following main fields of study are eligible as majors: Gender Studies, Development Studies, Human Geography, Political Science, Social Work, Social Anthropology, Sociology and Sociology of Law.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
Citizens of countries outside:
- The European Union (EU)
- The European Economic Area (EEA) and
- Switzerland
are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each \ semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 270,000 \ First payment: SEK 67,500
Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.
No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Scholarships and funding
Lund University Global Scholarship Programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarship: Global professionals
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.
External scholarships
In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries.
Testimonials
Student portrait
"The programme helps me get ready for the labour market" ->
Student portrait
"The programme went beyond my expectations" ->
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Contact us
Administration
Graduate school
Email: master@sam.lu.se