Development Studies – Bachelor of Science (BIDS)

Program Overview

The interdisciplinary Bachelor's programme in Development Studies (BIDS) focuses on economic, social, and political processes linked to development. As our student, you learn to critically examine global and local preconditions and processes of development. BIDS – Programme Structure BIDS is a three-year programme that brings together the perspectives of different social sciences to the study of development. As members of an interdisciplinary programme, students follow general courses in development studies and specialized courses at any of the four departments that are part of BIDS: Economic history, Human geography, Political science, and Sociology. This means that, by the end of your studies, you will have a degree in development studies with a major area of specialization in one of these disciplines. During the first year, BIDS students take four courses that establish the basic theoretical and methodological foundations for development studies. Towards the end of the year, students choose a discipline for their major. The second year starts by offering students the opportunity to gain more specialized knowledge by taking courses in the discipline they chose for their major. During the third year, BIDS students are invited to put into practice the knowledge and skills that they have developed during the first two years of the programme. The sixth semester is divided into two components. During the first half of the semester, students can either get a head start on their thesis by pursuing a desk-study track, going on fieldwork abroad, or pursue an internship. The semester ends with a full course devoted to writing a bachelor thesis. Internship, Fieldwork, and desk studies Students have carried out internships across a wide variety of organizations, for example the Swedish Embassy in Bolivia, MSI Reproductive Choices in Ethiopia or the National Nutrition Development Council in Senegal. BIDS students are also eligible to apply for grants to carry out field research in another country. In the past, our students have benefitted from these opportunities to carry out research on topics such as climate adaptation practices by small-scale farmers in Tanzania, indigenous movements in Southern Mexico, and women’s representation in the Senegalese Parliament. Alternatively, BIDS students can also decide to stay in Lund and pursue a desk study track. Career prospects Our graduates tend to be very successful at securing admission to prestigious graduate programmes, and can pursue exciting and impactful careers. Our students will get both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills needed for jobs in the development sector. Upon graduation, our students can continue with Master’s and Doctoral studies; or pursue various positions within government agencies, private firms, and NGOs. The opportunities are many and varied.

Academic Requirements