Closed for enrolment
Development and International Relations
Closed for enrolment
Development and International Relations
From 2022, the DIR and ES programs will be merged into the new Master of International Relations. Students who are already enrolled in the programs will of course continue in the DIR and ES programs, but new students will be admitted to the new master program. For more information about the program for Master of International Relations, please have a look at the website - Master of International Relations
The Study Board of International Affairs also offers a Master's program in European Studies.
The Master's program in Development and International Relations (DIR) aims at providing an interdisciplinary insight into 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 programme 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 specialisation 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.
For information about the application process, deadlines, tuition fee, scholarship etc. please see How to apply to Aalborg University.
| 1st semester | |
| Methods and methodology | 5 ETCS |
| Theories of International Relations | 5 ETCS |
| Regional Integration and Regionalisation or specialization classes | 5 ETCS |
| International development | 5 ETCS |
| Project work | 10 ETCS |
| 2nd semester | |
| Topical seminars | 5 ETCS |
| Rising Powers and Emerging Markets | 5 ETCS |
| Project management and international organizations | 5 ETCS |
| Project work | 15 ETCS |
| 3rd semester | |
| Internship or Study Period Abroad | 25 ETCS |
| Thesis preparation | 5 ETCS |
| 4th semester | |
| Master's Thesis | 30 ETCS |
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 (10-15 ECTS credits).
Job and career
For some students it may lead to PhD studies or a career in teaching and research, while for many others it will open the door to a professional career in a number of areas in which development and international relations is a central component, such as:
- Business and industry
- International trade
- Government and international service
- Civil societies/NGOs