Programme structure

Below you will find more detailed information about the programme structure.

Outline

The programme comprises a total of 180 credits divided over three years. The courses in the first and third years are compulsory, while the courses in the second year allow students to specialize in one of the major disciplines and to follow elective courses at Lund University, other Swedish universities, or abroad (through official exchange studies).

CORE COURSES

The six compulsory courses (UTVC) provide a strong foundation in:

development theory
historical and contemporary development processes
practical skills for designing development projects
research methodologies.

These interdisciplinary courses bring together teachers from the four academic fields that make up the BIDS-programme and combine lectures, small-group seminars, and independent study.

Course overview

Year 1

The first year provides you with an introduction to the historical, geographical and methodological aspects of development studies. It is divided into four 15-credit courses. The first semester offers you an introduction to development studies. It gives an historical background, which looks at the causes behind development and under-development (UTVC21). You will learn about contemporary issues related to social and political transformations in the developing world (UTVC22). During this semester, the implementation of development policy and aid issues are highlighted. The second semester gives you a more detailed and critical account of development theory (UTVC23), and it introduces methodological questions from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives (UTVC24).

Name	Type	Semester	Credits
Development from a Historical Perspective – Economic, Social, and Political Transformations	—	1	15
Development Policy in Practice	—	1	15
Development Studies: Development Theories	—	2	15
Development Studies: Theory of Science and Research Methods: An Introduction	—	2	15

Year 2

The second year gives you the possibility to choose courses offered by the four departments involved in the programme: economic history, human geography, political science, and sociology. In order to be eligible for a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Development Studies, you need to complete a minimum of 30 credits within one of the major disciplines during the second year. During year 2, you must also complete 30 additional credits in elective courses, which can be in your major discipline or in other social sciences. The elective courses can be taken at LU, other Swedish universities, or abroad as an exchange student.

Name	Type	Semester	Credits
Specialisation in major discipline	—	3	30
Elective courses or exchange studies	—	4	30

Year 3

The third year focuses on practical aspects. The first semester covers the practical features of development cooperation (UTVC25) and research methods (UTVC36). The final semester presents an opportunity for you to do fieldwork or an internship with an external organization relevant to development studies. The programme concludes with a 15-credit bachelor’s thesis.

Name	Type	Semester	Credits
Development Cooperation in Practice	—	5	15
Research Methods in Development Studies	—	5	15
Three-track course (desk study, fieldwork, or internship)	—	6	15
Thesis course	—	6	15

Programme syllabus

The syllabus provides an overview of the programme. It outlines the admission requirements, lists the courses included, and explains which degree the studies lead to.

Syllabus (PDF, new tab)

Frequently asked questions

When do I choose specialisation?

You will make your choice during year 1 in the spring application period which occurs between mid March and mid April. Since courses may vary from one year to another, we will schedule a meeting before the start of the application period where representatives from the different departments will join in and present their discipline and courses.

How does the choice of specialisation/major affect my degree?

After completion of the Bachelor's Program in Development Studies, students get a Bachelor's Degree in Development Studies with major in Sociology, Human Geography, Political Science or Economic History. For example, if you choose to study Human Geography as your major, you will graduate with a BSc in Development Studies with a major in Human Geography. Your major decides which department you will write your Bachelor thesis at and also tells your future employers where your main interest lays. Furthermore, for Master’s or PhD studies, you are often required to have previous relevant studies. Since development studies is interdisciplinary, your choice of major can be a way to fulfil that requirement.

Can I choose any course from the four departments?

The different departments have different rules regarding BIDS major courses. If you choose to major in Sociology, Human Geography or Economic History, there is a list of courses offered by those departments that you can choose from. An updated list of courses will be available when it is time for you to apply on the spring semester of the first year. If you choose to major in Political Science, you must take two specific courses: Political Science: The Politics of Development (STVC02) and International Political Economy and Development (STVC05) during the fall semester of year 2.

Do you have more questions?

Programme coordinator - Bachelor in Development Studies

Email: bids@sam.lu.se