The Master in International Development is an innovative program that revolves around the 5 P’s of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: people, planet, peace, prosperity and partnership.
The following topics enable students to understand the mechanics behind international development and cultivate the skills they need to boost their careers and drive positive global change.
A strong foundation in emotional intelligence and other soft skills will help students grow both personally and professionally, and teach them how to lead teams effectively in multicultural environments. By focusing on case studies, students acquire practical management techniques and learn how to drive long-term positive change in communities.
Students will receive an introduction to the world of development policy, structured around the 5 Ps of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. This will deepen their understanding of the need to drive sustainable, positive growth that respects the environment and local communities.
The next generation of international development professionals needs strong analytical and management skills in order to lead teams and ensure that projects are positive, sustainable and efficient. Students will become familiar with data analysis, project management, impact assessment and risk analysis, and learn to apply this information when designing and implementing development projects.
The 2030 Agenda is a wider vision; a path to a future of sustainable development. Member states have focused our attention on people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership to define why we need change—thinking differently is what will get us there.
The 5 P’s are the key to sustainable development. They are interconnected, and together will lead to transformational change.
IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs and the United Nations System Staff College have joined forces to build a Master’s degree program to attend to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda set by the United Nations.
The United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) is the center of excellence for training and knowledge management within the UN system, which aims to transform the United Nations into a more effective, results-oriented and agile global organization dissemination.
The UNSSC was established in 2002 by the UN General Assembly to serve the personnel of the United Nations and its affiliates. Since 2015, all of the organization’s research and learning efforts have been geared toward enabling the UN system and partners to address the challenges posed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UNSSC is headquartered in Turin, Italy, and has a second campus in Bonn, Germany.
Students will enjoy a unique week-long immersion experience in Geneva, where they’ll have an unparalleled opportunity to visit international organizations and network with international development professionals. This will enable them to gain a better understanding of what kind of work awaits them after graduation.
Students will engage with top professionals from the UN system as they teach courses and participate in special events such as conferences, seminars, networking events and capstone projects.
The program’s curriculum focuses on the five P’s: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. During the first and second terms, students will touch on each one. They’ll learn how the UN is addressing these issues, and how to tackle them head-on by creating innovative solutions.
Students are encouraged to participate in UN field internships after graduation. IE Career Services helps to facilitate these experiences and provides career guidance.
Upon completion of the master’s program, each student will receive a certificate of accomplishment from the United Nations.
Discover the role of the United Nations System Staff College in international development and working towards our Common Agenda as we are joined by Jafar Javan, director of the institution.
For their final project, students of the Master in International Development can choose between an individual, research-oriented thesis or a practical team-based Capstone Consulting Project. Underneath you can find some of capstone partners for the Master in International Development.
NOTE: The partners listed here are from previous intakes. Partnering institutions may vary from year to year.
During your Master in International Development, you can get a hands-on experience throughout one week while visiting international organizations and learning from top notch experts how they are overcoming the current global challenges in the field.
* Visits to organizations may vary from one year to another.
As part of the Master in International Development, you’ll have the option of taking part in the H.E.A.T program, a unique week-long outdoor activity that gives you the knowledge and techniques needed to manage dangerous situations. Find out how you can learn and apply practical skills in real-world challenges.
You can customize your program by spending an additional semester at one of our partner universities around the globe. This will come after the third and final semester in Madrid.
We have now finalized agreements with even more partner universities, offering you the choice of 11 world-leading institutions of higher learning to spend your optional semester learning in another country.
NOTE: Spots are limited in all exchange programs. You’ll need to complete a separate application process per school and the program is not included in the IE University fees.
As one of the best international development graduate programs in the world, the study plan revolves around the five P’s of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: people, planet, peace, prosperity and partnership. Coursework includes data analysis, project management, cross-cultural negotiation, empowerment, specialization tracks, and Capstone Projects.
The Master in International Development is 10 months long and is complemented by an immersion week in Geneva.
IE University’s Master in International Development is designed for students who thrive under an intensive academic workload.
IE University’s Master in International Development, developed in collaboration with the United Nations System Staff College, offers students unique insights into international relations, economics, politics, social entrepreneurship and development.