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Global development policy

About the programme

Address global challenges with an interdisciplinary approach to development policy.

  • Aimed at training professionals who can identify and address broad economic and social challenges. Graduates will be equipped to apply their knowledge to development policy-making and project implementation,
  • A coherent, interdisciplinary approach to global development, providing deep insights into global development theory, policy, and practice.
  • Emphasises historically informed, holistic, and critical thinking on strategies, policies, and practices to address global challenges.
  • Advanced training for specialist expertise to critically analyse and understand the complexities of global development.
  • Provides knowledge and skills to investigate, analyse, and respond to contemporary global challenges.
  • Introduces students to theoretical and practical methods in global development policy and development studies, engaging with key academic and policy debates.

Who is expected to attend the training

This programme is aimed at students who want to get to the front lines of global development and are ready to work for development at global, regional, national, or local levels. We will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to be able to address global development challenges with an interdisciplinary approach. These will enable you to formulate constructive proposals, develop strategies, and turn these into effective solutions that work in the real world. We welcome students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds who are willing to engage with complex problems that require interdisciplinary approach and critical thinking. This programme is for you if you want to become an outstanding member of the global development community and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive development of your community and the world.

Details

Programme name Global development policy

Programme award Master, MSc

ECTS 60

Duration 2 semesters (1 years)

Teaching hours 20 hours / week

Includes internship No

Start date September 2026

Tuition fee (EEA)

990 000 HUF/semester

cca. 2 500 EUR/semester*

Tuition fee (Non-EEA)

3 700 EUR/semester

*The official price list can be found in the annex to the Regulation on Student Fees and Benefits.

This programme is only available in English.

How to take the exam

Most courses are graded via a combination of various assignments (individual or group) during the semester and a final exam. Some courses are graded based on assignments only or exam only. The final exam of the programme consists of a thesis defence.

Corvinus University of Budapest

What will you study?

Semester 1

Core Modules*

  • Global Development Theories and Policies
  • Political Economy of the Global South
  • Methods for Development Research
  • Development program planning and evaluation

Semester 2

Core Modules*

  • Development and Humanitarian Assistance
  • Global Development Perspectives in Practice
  • Development in practice: actors, cases and challenge

* The above is not an exhaustive list. Corvinus University of Budapest reserves the right to change modules.

International mobilities

Exchange programmes

Corvinus has nearly 200 partners worldwide, and depending on the type of funding, you can apply to study at these institutions.

Corvinus University of Budapest

Judit Ricz

Associate Professor

Programme Director

In an era of constant changes and recurring crises, responding effectively to development challenges is vital for the future of our communities, countries, and the Globe. The programme “Global Development Policy” equips you with globally competitive skills and knowledge related to the relevant actors and institutions in the field of development; practical insights from case studies of development projects; the critical evaluation of policies and the impact assessment of policy interventions. We offer you a practice-oriented training with special focus on the development challenges and complexities of the global East and South (including developing Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the EU periphery). Within our programme, you can learn from leading experts in global development theory and practice. Located in Central Europe, in Budapest, we are uniquely positioned, as we belong to the European Union, one of the leading global development actors, and also have first-hand experience with peripheral development and related complex challenges. Our programme gives you the opportunity to become an outstanding member of the global development community and actively contribute to a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.
Corvinus University of Budapest

Vlad Deminski

Estonia

Student

Corvinus is very much the Oxford of Hungary, so coming to study here means you’re surrounded by incredible people with fresh perspectives that can actually impact the world. The Corvinus student life is vibrant, where you get to talk to a wide cast of students from all around the globe – I’ve made friends with someone from every continent besides Antarctica here. Corvinus is the place to be if you want to enjoy your student life while not compromising academic success.

Leading university

Rankings

#3 Best Business School in the region

EdUniversal Rankings

#351-400 in Business and Management

QS WUR Ranking by Subject

TOP 70 in Master’s in Finance in the world

Financial Times

Accreditations and networks

Corvinus University of Budapest
Corvinus University of Budapest
Corvinus University of Budapest

Career Opportunities

  • International organisations (EU institutions, UN agencies, INGOs)
  • National & local governments, government agencies
  • Think tanks and consultants dealing with development issues
  • Private or NGO sector related to development work
  • The academia (research and teaching) in the fields related to development
 
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