Master programmes in Development studies 2017-2018 Development studies | Page 5

distinct focus: Globalisation and Development;
Governance and Development; and
Development Evaluation and Management.
Each of the three Master programmes takes 12
months to complete, starting and ending midSeptember. In the first three-month module,
students are updated on development-related
theories and research methods. The core of the
programme runs from January to May, when
students pursue individual tracks through
research-based modules. These tracks provide
the foundation for the subsequent dissertation
project (from June to September).
Upon successful completion of the programme,
students are granted a Master of Science degree.
Although the IOB staff members constitute
the backbone of all educational programmes,
the Institute regularly calls upon experts from
NGOs, government agencies, and other research
institutes.
In their research and development work,
the academic staff of IOB focus on analysing
development policy as a multi-actor process.
This work is structured around four research
lines: Conditional Finance for Development,
International Markets for the Poor, Local
Institutions for/in Development, and State,
Economy and Society. In addition to providing
an organisational basis for research activities at
the Institute, these lines are intended as links
between research and education.
We endeavour to make our teaching
programmes relevant for development
practitioners. In order to achieve this aim, our
staff members frequently engage in policy
advisory work, in addition to performing
their academic and research duties. Past
research projects have been conducted
for a wide range of agencies, including the

Belgian Directorate General for Development
Cooperation, Belgian Technical Cooperation,
the European Commission, the World Bank,
the United Nations, as well as for countless
non-government organisations. The insights
provided by such staff exposure constitute a
major source of inspiration for the teaching
programmes.
IOB also participates in various interuniversity partnerships with institutes in
developing countries, including the Universidad
Centro-Americana (Managua, Nicaragua), the
University of Cuenca (Ecuador), the University of
Bukavu (DR Congo), the University of Western
Cape (South Africa), the Mbarara University
of Science and Technology - MUST (Uganda),
the Université du Burundi and the Mzumbe
University (Tanzania).
The Institute is located on the University of
Antwerp’s City Campus, close to the central
railway station. It is easily accessible by public
transport. Antwerp is Belgium’s historical
connection to other continents, being a
world harbour. It is also a pleasant city, full
of old charm and modern convenience. The
city boasts many excellent museums and
historical monuments, as well as a fast-paced