Development Studies - Bachelor of Science Programme

The Bachelor in Development Studies (BIDS) is a three-year programme that brings together the perspectives from several social sciences. You study global development from the viewpoints of Economic History, Human Geography, Political Science, and Sociology. Throughout your studies, you take both general courses in development studies and more specialised courses within your chosen field. When you graduate, you earn a degree in Development Studies with a major in one of these four disciplines. 

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.

As a student, you will engage in a variety of assignments – from oral presentations and collaborative project design to research proposals, take-home exams, and extended essays. You develop both analytical and practical skills for future work in the field of development. 

Elective courses 

You will also take specialised courses in your major discipline, and you will have the opportunity to take elective courses from other disciplines at Lund University, other Swedish universities, or abroad as an exchange student. 

Internship, Fieldwork, and desk studies  

During the final semester, you can choose between three options: an internship, fieldwork abroad, or a desk-study track in Lund. 

Many students choose to do an internship. Previous placements include the Swedish Embassy in Bolivia, MSI Reproductive Choices in Ethiopia, and the National Nutrition Development Council in Senegal. 

You can also apply for grants to do field research abroad. Former students have studied topics such as small-scale farming and climate adaptation in Tanzania, indigenous movements in Mexico, and women’s political participation in Senegal. 

If you prefer, you can stay in Lund and complete a desk study track, focusing on literature and data analysis. 

The programme gives you both theoretical understanding and practical skills relevant to the development field. 

After completing the programme, many graduates continue with Master’s or Doctoral studies. Others work in areas linked to development and global issues. Graduates find opportunities within government agencies, NGOs, and private organisations. 

Prerequisites

General requirements and studies equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary School courses English 6/English level 2 and Social Studies 1b or 1a1+1a2/Social Studies level 1b or level 1a2

Selection criteria

In the early international admissions round seats are allocated entirely through the general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate. In the later national admissions round seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 66 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %. The University board has decided that applicants with equal merits (in the GPA group) should be separated by the use of a valid result from the Swedish national university aptitude test.

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 375,000
First payment: SEK 62,500

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

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.

Lund University Global Scholarship Programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship Programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship aimed at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA. It is primarily available for Master’s applicants. However, students applying to certain Bachelor’s programmes are also eligible. The current selection of programmes is Development Studies, Mathematics, Physics, and Physical Geography.

Lund University Global Scholarship

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.

Country-specific scholarships

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.

External scholarships