About this programme
Master's Programme in Global development Theory and Practice is a Master's Degree programme at University of Bergen in Bergen, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Bergen as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. University of Bergen is a state university in Vestland.
How it compares
Master's Programme in Global development Theory and Practice is one of 7 English-taught Development Studies programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 6 institutions. 2 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from NOK 166,700 to NOK 204,000. 5 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
What you will study
What you study
The programme trains advanced professionals in global development theory and practice. You choose one of two specialisations: health promotion or gender and development. Both give you an in-depth understanding of global development through critical evaluation of relevant theories, human rights and social justice, and global governance and the politics of aid. You also look at the practice of development: policy and programme planning, implementation and evaluation at local, municipal, state and international levels. Contexts of sustainable human development, including culture, international cooperation and ecology/conservation, are part of the picture.
In the health promotion specialisation you take a 15 ECTS module called Foundations of Health Promotion. The approach is resource-based. In the gender in global development specialisation you take a 15 ECTS module on Theoretical perspectives on gender and development. There you analyse gendered power relations and vulnerabilities, empowerment and social change, with cross-cultural comparison and context-sensitive analysis. Both specialisations teach qualitative or quantitative research methods, and you may use them depending on your thesis topic. Research ethics is part of the learning throughout.
Admission, language and next steps
The programme is taught in English and is a two-year master's degree worth 120 ECTS. In either specialisation you write a 30 ECTS thesis, alone or in pairs. For the remaining 30 ECTS you choose between an internship, courses at UiB, or exchange with another university in Norway or abroad. Many students do thesis research that is part of their advisor's research activities.
Application deadlines differ by your background. Applicants from the EU/EEA/EFTA have a deadline of 1 March. Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway have 15 April. Applicants from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA have 1 December. Check the programme page for the full entry requirements and how to apply.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Development programme planning and evaluation
- Health promotion in development contexts
- Gender and development analysis
- Policy work in local organisations and communities
- International cooperation projects
- Municipal and state development administration
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to University of Bergen, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme. The institution lists its deadline as: Applicants from EU/EEA/EFTA: 1 March Applicants who are Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway: 15 april Applicants from outside of the EU/EEA/EFTA: 1 December. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master's Programme in Global development Theory and Practice taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at University of Bergen. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Bergen as the campus town for this programme at University of Bergen.
How do I apply?
Master’s applications go straight to the institution, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme, and some programmes require a minimum grade average. University of Bergen publishes its requirements on the programme page.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. As University of Bergen lists it: Applicants from EU/EEA/EFTA: 1 March Applicants who are Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway: 15 april Applicants from outside of the EU/EEA/EFTA: 1 December. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at University of Bergen.
What does it cost?
No annual fee is listed for this programme. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme, so ask University of Bergen what applies to you. For students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the record shows no tuition fee. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at University of Bergen is linked from this page so you can compare.
Same subject and level at other institutions
See all →University of Agder · Kristiansand