Master of Science (MSc) in Global Development

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and why did you choose to study the MSc in Global Development?

I’m Colleen I’m 25 and I’M from the US. I studied international sustainable development before. Well… it’s a very personal life choice but I think it’s very important to know about the world, current conflicts and different cultures and life people have. I wanted to make my work meaningful - which is kind of a silly thing to say – but I didn’t want to work just for making money, I wanted to use my time to help people. However, I also realized that global development hasn’t always been that way, but there are ways to do it right, specially if you work with the people in different contexts.

Right now you are not in Copenhagen, where are you and what are you doing?

I’m taking the Borderland Field Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We have a lectures series the first week, we went to class from 9 to 5, and I learnt the most about generic borderland conflicts from environmental conflicts in the amazon, to Syrian refugee crises. We each did an internship for two weeks, mine was not in an NGO, as its difficult to give all students an internship in an NGO and most of them don’t want people for such a short period of time. I got paired with a professor and did a lot of independent research and got a lot out of it. This professor was focused on displaced people, specially Rohingya people that are prosecuted, and a lot are now living in Thailand. In this course there’s 5 students from Chiang Mai University and most of them are coming from Myanmar to scape the political situation there, so it’s been interesting to learn about the conflict there from their experiences.

What motivated you to take Borderland course?

I have never turned down an opportunity to travel, and the University of Copenhagen has a lot of great opportunities for seeing the world at a low cost. I didn’t know before, but this program has a stipend of 8000kr so I got to go to Thailand for cheap. Global development is super broad, and we never get to focus on one thing, and this course was very focused on migration; I learnt about refugee law, history of refugee conventions across international organizations and that has been very beneficial, and I have enjoyed a lot. I think it has inspired me for my thesis, I want to write now about the US Mexico border, and I thought I was not interested in the topic of migration, I thought I was more interested in the topic of education, but as we learnt about nation states, I realized borders are just line, but humans are meant to be mobile.

Now that you are almost done with this experience, what do you think it has been the most positive aspect of it?

I think studying with migrants from Myanmar and hearing their life experiences and how dangerous it can be to be political – which was something I didn’t think about. A lot of students are political and are targeted by the Juntas. In Global Development we are mostly from the Global North, so it was interesting to study with people from the Global South. I was lucky to connect with them outside class during my internship, I had a person from Myanmar and got to meet them in a personal level.

How can you apply the knowledge that you have gained in this course to your professional career in the future?

As I’m writing my research proposal, that knowledge is very transferable to writing my thesis and it would also be very useful if I were to do a PhD – which I’m not going to do. For me I’ve been inspired to look at borderland conflicts everywhere and it has also made me NOT want to do research. There was this one line that hit me from one of the readings: how do you justify your PhD? You’re getting money for studying this conflict every year and how do you justify not giving that cash flow to the community. It has to be research that 1. Knowledge gets translated back to the native language of the community or 2. You really give something to help them. It is a luxury to build your academic career at the expense of migrants or refugees, so this experience has made me think more critically about what research is usable and justifiable.

How has this experience shaped you, not only professionally but also personally?

I think it has made me appreciate where I’m from, it makes you reflect on your positionality as well. Sometimes I thought I had to hold myself back because I felt like I needed to give the space because in a classroom sometimes Europeans dominate, but I really learnt to let the people speak for themselves. It would be unfortunate saying that I will go back to a comfortable Denmark and forget about it, but I think I won’t – this conflict has made me realize how important it is to learn about conflicts like this and make people aware of struggles like this that are fully dependent on finance from the global north. You have to learn to just not assume things, let people share what they want to share and just take less space in these settings! In general, this was a very useful course, the city is incredible and super safe, Thai people are so friendly. I would highly recommend anyone to spend one month in Chiang Mai.

I am from Augsburg, Germany and I have two Bachelor Degrees from the Catholic University of Eichstaett. One is in European Studies, the other one in Political Science and Sociology.

Why did you choose to apply for the MSc in Global Development?

I studied political science and European Studies in my Bachelors, already there I was very interested in a course about the “capability approach” and development cooperation. We had an obligatory internship and I got lucky to get accepted as an intern at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. After that I was a 100% sure that I wanted to work in the field of development cooperation. I applied for the master because I was intrigued with the focus on economy and the good reputation of the university as well as the program. Furthermore, I got really convinced by the very practical approach when it comes to teaching methods courses. This seemed very appealing considering that I am aiming at a job in (political) consultancy afterwards.

What is the best thing about studying at the MSc in Global Development?

Besides the many challenging, forwarding courses, what especially got me was the group structure. Even though before I would prefer a lot more working individually than in groups, I got very lucky with my groups. The master is very practical oriented, with Stata, GIS and other program tools, which is very challenging. Now to do it on my own it would have been a big piece of work but working in a group, learning was actually interactive and much quicker. Also I got various informed inputs which helped me taking a different perspective on cases and even facts, changing and challenging my way of thinking. This process was also due to the cross disciplinary aspect of Global Development, so in every team there would be persons with different “backgrounds” (one of the most asked questions during introduction week by the way: What is your background?). In addition to that I think group work as such, as you have to arrange yourself with other persons and opinions, is also a very good preparation for “real-life” jobs.

I am Gabriel and I studied political science at Universität Augsburg in Germany

Why did you choose to apply for the MSc in Global Development?

I knew already that I wanted to study development studies. It was just a matter of choosing the right University and the right program for it. UCPH gave me the combination of a prestigious University, a comprehensive program with opportunity for exchange and field work and a new country for me to discover.

How are you experiencing the cross-disciplinary aspect of the MSc in Global Development?

My background was interdisciplinary, because I did sociology and political science during my Bachelor and a year of intensive economics later on, but I appreciated very much the anthropological part of the program and it has proven useful during my internship now. I think it is one of the greatest features of the program.

I’m Joseph, from Accra Ghana. I have a BA in Political Science and Geography and Resource Management from the University of Ghana.

What was the most difficult thing about starting the MSc in Global Development?

“The main challenge that I faced here, I think it was an internal struggle. In the beginning of the semester I lost this self-confidence this confidence I had back home. I don’t know how it happened. I just lost confidence, that maybe I couldn’t do this. No, no no, That this wasn’t me.  That maybe I should just pack my bags and get home.  And maybe this was also because I was missing home and this is the first time that I had been away, so, so far away from home. So I was like ‘Maybe I just can’t do this!’ But with time, I just told myself ‘Hey, I am one of the few lucky people to get on this programme which is really competitive and I am here and I can do this!’

I also found a lot of inspiration from my friends, from my colleagues. They were super helpful! They help me settle down and I realised that some people were extremely good in one area and if I needed help I could just go to them and ‘Hey I don’t understand this, can you help me out?’ And they were super helpful. In everything from me getting used to Denmark, to buying my first winter jacket, and everything, the little things. And especially the Danes. They were super helpful and all the classmates. So those were some people and the small Ghanaian community that I had here they also helped me settle down. They showed me areas where I can get some Ghanaian food. Which was like ‘Ah now I am finding my focus.’ And my church too, I have a Ghanaian church here that I attend. They were super helpful.”

Why did you choose to study Global Development at UCPH and how has your experience been?

I chose it basically to apply my graduate studies in Economics and Sociology in Space, I was passionate about. I never thought personally that a full time job would make me rich ever... so I thought I might as well work in an area where I can express my passion in something that I think is worthwhile so I went to the development field. Then of course, it's in a nice place and it's also free if you have SU, so it makes it easy for you to come and choose this master.

What do you highlight the most from this experience?

One of the most valuable experiences I'd say probably the different perspectives from the network, college, friends, and professors that are coming from such diverse fields. It was nice to touch points on a lot of different subjects and have the flexibility to explore what piqued my interest. All professors and PhD students were also super open so that was very nice. I could really feel what was for me in the development sector and pursue whatever I was interested in – which was a really big plus.

What was your employment situation after finishing the degree?

For the employment, I took two months' holidays travelling after graduation, but then I actually got a job pretty much straight away when I started looking. It was a short-term contract for the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), where I used some very specific skills in event management and design to get the position. It was very personalised and it was a three-month contract, so I thought I had a much higher chance of getting it. I think this was just a serendipity and it worked out well for me, so I got that straight away. Then I made it clear about my passion to stay in the sector and to stay with DRC, which is in my eyes a good NGO. So, they've kept me on and it's been a year now and I made my passions clear to them and where I wanted to work, even though it wasn't necessarily where I started working, but even now I've moved laterally. So for me it has turned really well. More specifically on that, I guess I started in the innovation unit working on an annual event, annual innovation event, and then I moved around the innovation team working with the youth agenda and not so much with the climate agenda, but a small bit with innovative finance and private sector partnerships within the innovation field and then moving over to the economic recovery unit. I am currently working as an innovation and partnership specialist still at the Danish Refugee Council!

What advice would you give to current GD students and recent graduates?

I'd say just talk to as many people as you can and really don't be afraid to challenge the professors or challenge your classmates. Don't be afraid to reach out to people because I think it's the most important thing to get your name known and to make these connections and increase your network. And don't be afraid to ask for anything - if you don't ask, you don't get. And be persistent, I would say. It's nice to get good grades, but they're not necessarily the be all and all. Just make sure, stay healthy and you enjoy your experience because it will end before you know it.

Also, if you can pick or narrow down sooner or later what kind of fields you want to work in and already get some work experience of any kind in these fields, it's a huge advantage to start earlier or rather than later. yes, even if you don't know what you want to do, pick your top three and just get experience and something like that, and ask professors how to get in or do some volunteer work or do some extra internships or some student work if you can do it, because it really helps to get those early career opportunities.

I was wondering if, considering the current war(s) context, your vision towards the field of global development is still the same as when you entered the career. And if it has changed, how has it changed?

While the current conflict situations are deeply concerning, my perspective on global development (GD) has remained largely consistent since my student days. I've always understood the vital role of GD, especially as we face increasing global displacement challenges. The key for me is how we engage in this space effectively.

Despite the grim reality of war, my focus is on contributing positively within the GD field. At the moment, for me, this involves securing new funding sources, driving innovative solutions, and building strategic partnerships to enhance our programming. I do think we need to keep questioning the sector, as huge inefficiencies on all levels are evident. I believe the GD alumni are pretty good at that already though. It is more a question of realising where each person best fits in the puzzle and where they can make the most impact in the sector as an individual and as part of a larger collective.

For this coffee conversation, we are talking with Jacob Wiman and Nathan Remcho, two second-year Global Development students who are writing their master thesis together on ethnic conflicts and prospects for peace and conflict resolution in Samburu County, North Kenya. To address the data gap on the conflict, they spent nearly two months in the region, not only assessing the conflict but also seeking solutions. There is a long history of ethnic conflict between the Samburu and Turkana tribes, exacerbated now by the introduction of firearms and worsened by climate change. This conflict, deeply rooted in land and livestock, affects various aspects of tribal life including grazing land and dowries for marriage. Initially, they went to look at that specific conflict between those tribes, but they quickly discovered a third conflict that has not been reported in academia nor in international journalism. There is another tribe, the Pokot tribe, who has been moving into Samburu County, displacing both Samburu and Turkana people out of their villages to land grab, leading to a deadly conflict in the region.

To study the conflict, they conducted experiments and interviews to analyze the tribes' cooperation and trust levels. They focused on decision-making and behaviors regarding resource distribution, exploring dynamics of selfishness and altruism within and between the groups. Additionally, they implemented a risk-taking game where participants bet on various outcomes, providing insight into their risk preferences and decision-making under uncertainty.

When asked about the experience and fieldwork, both agreed that it was a good but quite a challenging experience, as the context was vastly different from what they were accustomed to. They found themselves immersed in conflict, constantly reminded of the danger around them. However, amidst the challenges, they found gratitude from many individuals who appreciated their efforts to investigate the issue. As we read about conflicts and violence every day, you almost become desensitized to these conflicts, so being present with people facing danger daily not only highlights your own privilege but also deepens your research. Both agree that the moments they lived have reshaped their understanding and approach to writing and doing research about such issues.

One of the hardest parts was that those privileges also affect the way they interact with people, as they were in a context in which many people in villages expect and rely on food aid and assistance. When two white men arrive, there's an assumption that they're there to provide aid. So even if they would like to help and they did provide compensation to the people they worked with, their role was not to distribute resources.

As advice for Global Development students embarking on fieldwork or writing a master's thesis, their advice is to prioritize organization and structure. Planning and organizing the data collection is crucial, as mistakes can waste valuable time, energy, and resources. "Stick to your research plan, but remain flexible regarding location, timing, and other things," advised Jacob. "Down the line, you will find things you wish you would have done differently– but that's all part of the research process." However, they also admitted that there were times when they made decisions the night before. Yet, it was their adaptability and openness to change that prevented them from becoming disappointed or frustrated.

Nate and Jacob are not only colleagues but also friends and found that the most valuable aspect of this experience was the time spent together and the shared adventures. Whether camping, embarking on days-long drives, or even getting stranded on a boat, these experiences strengthened their bonds and created lasting memories.

I am from Beijing, China. I have a BA in Business English from Ran ZhaoTianjin University of Economics and Finance in China.

Why did you choose to apply for the MSc in Global Development?

I was active in voluntary programs and interested in development issues in my school years. After finishing my bachelor degree, I worked in a non-profit foundation in China for a year. This experience showed me that I’m most happy when helping or influencing people positively - and when I get to work with people from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, working in an international non-profit organization became my career goal. 
I believe, that the economic analysis’s regarding the emerging markets combined with an understanding of culturally determined perceptions as well as understanding the perceptions of the developed countries and the developing ones - which I can acquire from this program - are very helpful for my career path. And the courses as well as the field works are very attractive to me.

How are you experiencing the cross-disciplinary aspect of the MSc in Global Development?

It’s both challenging and exciting. It’s not easy at the beginning. We have had to deal with comprehensive academic readings exceeding our own field. We are learning to use other academic methods than we are used to and try to think in new and cross-disciplinary ways.

What is the best thing about studying at the MSc in Global Development?

The best thing is that I can work with outstanding young people from very diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. We have know-hows in different disciplines, we have our own strengths and weaknesses. We are often inspired by each other when trying to solve problems together.

What’s it like to live in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen is a nice and peaceful city. I enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views here very much. People are always friendly and helpful. As an international student here, I can enjoy the same welfare, including free health care, as local people. It’s also a fun place to live. There are so many cultural events such as art festivals, music festivals, concerts, etc. You’ll never get bored!

Why did you choose to study Global Development at UCPH and how has your experience been?

I studied anthropology on my bachelors degree and after that, I had a year where I worked on different social innovations organizations. I was part of a large student group called DANSIC (Danish social innovation club) and I felt that I wanted to make social change and work with social transformation rather than studying it. I wanted to be better at actually making change happen and working with different types of actors while understanding different languages and types of research. For me, it was a good way to broadening my way of understanding what makes social change, and it was also a good way to continuing a more interdisciplinary path.

I think the Master was both confusing and challenging along the way, but also a very good experience. I was part of the first year and thought that they succeeded on doing many things that they set up for.

What do you highlight the most from this experience?

What I really bring with me is the degree to which I can understand different types of sectors or disciplines. I now have a very good understanding of how various research and working areas work, both for themselves and together, so that broad level of understanding is very important for the work I do now.

What was your employment situation after finishing the degree?

I had a job opening when I ended, I was doing an internship as a junior consult at the place where I was working just before I handed my thesis. It was a small organization called Social+ which advices small volunteer organizations and municipalities that are making development and innovation initiatives all over Denmark. It is also a small hub for innovation that could bring the best ideas from the social field in Denmark and then offer them free consultancy and support. After that, I joined a larger organization that was linked to that, which is called Social Development Center - where I am still now after 5 or 6 years. I have been working on different roles, but now my position is Development Director. I am in charge of developing new initiatives in our organization and other organizations all over Denmark with a social change focus. We work together with foundations or municipalities, volunteer organizations in bringing social change in Denmark for the most vulnerable people here.

What advice would you give to current GD students and recent graduates?

In terms of the way to go ahead with the study part, my best advice is to not think that you should be able to do everything at the highest possible level or understand everything perfectly, you should get a broad ground and sense of the different disciplines and how they function, what they contribute with and what you can personally use them for in your career afterwards. Kind of focus in what you think you will work with afterwards and build it around that, making sure that you have a basic sense of the various disciplines.

It’s very hard to give advice, it’s very random what happens and the possibilities that end up being for every person, but my advice to find a good spot is doing a lot of things while you are studying and not focus 100% on the studies, but being aware of what’s happening around, get a good student job or build different types of network with some of the places that you want to work with afterwards. If you don’t want to be a scientist afterwards, don’t be too hang up on every text, studying matters, but also does the world around you.

An interdisciplinary programme at the highest academic level

The MSc in Global Development at UCPH is an ambitious programme that provides advanced theoretical and in-the-field training. Global Development is a research strength at UCPH, one of the leading European research universities. In the 2018 QS World University Ranking UCPH was ranked number 10 in the world, and number one in Scandinavia, for development studies. 

Field course

In the second semester, the students and two lecturers with solid field work experience go on a two-week field course to a low or middle-income country. The stay is preceded by thorough preparation of data collection, and the course is completed by a field report which forms the basis for the final first-year exam.

Please be aware that students must cover the costs related to the field course (transport, accommodation, food), and should make a budget provision of around 10.000 Danish kroner for this.

Structure of the first year and specialisation in the second year

The programme is structured as a unique combination of compulsory first-year courses and plenty of scope for individual tailoring of the programme in the second year, as students may embark on internships, study abroad, and thesis field work experiences around the globe and in Denmark. In the first year, students will be taught at the highest level by dedicated lecturers teaching within their field of research. The fact that all students follow the same courses also creates a vibrant social environment.

Possibilities for an international career

Many candidates will go on to jobs in private companies that interact with the Global South. Other graduates will find employment in institutions and organisations engaged in international issues. Furthermore, there is considerable potential for working in Danish production companies, service businesses and consultancies operating in the global markets.

Vibrant student environment at the beautiful campus

Located in the heart of Copenhagen, the City Campus accommodates students and lecturers from the Faculty of Social Sciences. The city centre and the many beautiful parks are right on your doorstep. At UCPH, social science students are renowned for their involvement in student politics as well as in academic and social activities – and you are welcome to join in.

And a few more good reasons

- UCPH is a top 100 university in the world (ranked 69)
- UCPH is Denmark´s top-ranked university
- With more than 40.000 students and a rapidly increasing number of international students UCPH offers a vibrant academic as well as social environment

Before you send in your application, we really would like you to consider the following three important points about our Global Development programme - just to make sure, that we really are what you are looking for.

1. We love data and methods. We are a research based programme and this also affects our teaching. We have a very strong focus on data and methods. We will make you gather your own data and we will ask you to analyze it. This goes for quantitative as well as qualitative. We expect you to have a good command of one or more social science methods when you start and we will challenge you to learn new ones. We are looking for qual-people who are not afraid of numbers and quant-people who are not afraid of people.

2. We are a “hands-on” programme. This in no way means that we buy into whatever mainstream development ideas are out there. But it does mean that faced with a problem we much prefer to be practical, get some data, analyze it, look at existing solutions, come up with new ones and then, based on our own research and findings, get into the critical discussion. We are not the programme where you get to spend the majority of the time debating development from a critical theory point of view. Others do that way better than us.

3. We ask a lot of you. In particular for the first semester. We ask for a big chunk of your time and dedication, we ask you to study hard alone and with your group, we ask you to engage and be open minded. And it will be hard work. At times you will find it too much – just like pretty much all successful students before you did.
In return we will do our best to give you our best. We have a highly dedicated and competent faculty which takes pride in including the students in the on-going alterations we make to the programme. As a GD student you are encouraged to help us make the programme better than ever before.