Do you have a deep interest in sustainability and social justice? Our Bachelor's programme in Sustainable Development Studies enables you to analyse and understand social inequalities in the world. This will enable you to shape development policy and practice to improve the lives of people in disadvantaged communities.
Our bachelor's programme addresses poverty, inequality and other global challenges. In defining development, however, it goes beyond economic growth and consumption and also includes social, political, ecological and cultural aspects. The focus is on the question of what a life worth living is - and what conditions make it possible. To this end, it brings together interdisciplinary knowledge from a wide range of disciplines such as business and economics, political science, international relations, agricultural science and ethnology. In addition to quantitative methods, you will also learn qualitative methods such as interviews in order to be able to take the perspective of people from the so-called Global South. The global orientation prepares you for work at international institutions, NGOs or organisations. And a semester abroad in a country of the Global South gives you practical experience - and new perspectives.
The Bachelor's programme in Sustainable Development Studies is divided into the orientation phase (1st and 2nd semesters) and the in-depth and specialisation phase (3rd to 6th semester). In the orientation phase, you will gain knowledge about the fundamental problems and approaches to solutions in development studies as well as some important neighbouring disciplines. We also provide you with knowledge of economic and social science methods as well as initial basic knowledge in the fields of ethnology, international relations and the economic fields of microeconomics and macroeconomics. A specific preliminary course for the Sustainable Development Studies degree programme is offered even before you start your studies. You will practise reading academic texts and receive an introduction to development issues. Registration is not required for this course.
In the specialisation area, you complete the basic training you started in the first two semesters. In the field of economics, it extends your education in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and development economics. You will learn qualitative methods, i.e. the interpretation of non-numerical data such as opinions and experiences in the form of interviews and case studies. You will also get an introduction to ethnological analysis, which focuses on understanding and explaining the behaviour, culture and social structures of specific communities or cultures.
In this area, you choose a subject or regional focus that matches your personal interests. This will deepen your subject knowledge and give your studies an individual profile. You can choose between development economics, globalisation, sustainability and regional studies. The regional studies focus also includes courses in languages such as Hindi, Swahili or Mongolian. If you decide on this focus, i.e. a specific region (East Asia, South Asia, Africa or Latin America), then you should also spend your semester abroad in this region if possible. However, a combination of several regions is also possible.
A stay in the Globe South is a compulsory part of the degree programme. You have several options to get to know another cultural area and to deepen your language skills. On the one hand, you can spend a semester abroad at a University in a country of the Global South. In doing so, you will usually take courses with a content related to sustainable development studies as well as to your chosen focus area and learn about the topics from the perspective of your host country. Before you go abroad, you will record in a binding "Learning Agreement" in Göttingen which courses you would like to take there and what you would like to achieve. If you fail exams abroad, you can make up for them at the University of Göttingen. In addition to a semester abroad, you can alternatively complete the module B.WIWI.SDS.0006 "Field Research in the Global South" with 18 credits or the module B.WIWI.SDS.0005 "Internship in the Global South" with the same number of credits. Countries of the Global South are all countries on the DAC list of developing countries and territories..
In the elective area, you can include additional modules from the offerings in economics, business administration, business informatics, and quantitative methods, further refining your individual profile. In addition, you can choose modules from the areas of Agricultural Sciences and, under certain conditions, language courses and modules from the key competencies offered by the University. In addition, you can receive credit for a voluntary internship (B.WIWI-SDS.0005 or B.WIWI-WB.1000).
You will write your thesis based on the specialization topic of your choice. Work on a concrete question within a given time and apply all the skills you have learned during your studies: Research methods, critical thinking and independence. You select current, topics on economic challenges and use real data as well as quantitative methods for your analysis.
The international orientation of the degree programme prepares you for a global work environment in development cooperation or within international organisations, associations, NGOs as well as internationally oriented companies and research institutions, offering excellent career prospects. English language courses are an integral part of the programme, and you also have the option to study additional foreign languages such as Hindi or Swahili.
By choosing a subject specialisation as well as working on a topic relevant to your profession as part of your Bachelor's thesis, you can acquire knowledge and skills that qualify you for your profession. A degree in Sustainable Development Studies thus opens up numerous career opportunities for you in international organisations, NGOs, government agencies or research institutes.
The interdisciplinary structure of the degree programme allows you to specialise in a wide range of disciplines with a Master's degree - even outside of business and economics. At the WiWi-faculty you can join the Degree programmes Development Economics, History of Global Markets or International Eonomics. Other faculties at the University of Göttingen give you the opportunity to continue your studies with the Master's programmes in Agricultural Sciences, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Modern Indian Studies or Sustainable International Agriculture.
Links of Degree programmes outside the faculty:
A one-semester study visit to a foreign university in a Global South country is an integral part of our Bachelor's degree programme. This provides you with the opportunity to examine the topic of development from the perspective of the Global South and gain practical experience with the challenges of developing and emerging countries. You will enhance your language skills and gain experiences that will benefit you throughout your life. Alternatively, you can undertake a field research project or internship in the Global South.
Career paths with a bachelor’s degree in sustainable development studies.
Lead projects on poverty alleviation, education, health care or environmental protection in international development organisations or NGOs.
Support microfinance institutions in providing financial services to low-income communities and promote entrepreneurship and economic development.
Work with governments, NGOs or international organisations to develop development strategies and implement projects and programmes.
Three simple steps to apply to the faculty
Register with hochschulstart.de at the platform for degree programmes with limited admission.
Your next step will be to register at the application platform of Göttingen University. Enter your personal data and upload the required documents, then submit your application in order to participate in the application procedure.
After the application deadline has expired, you will be informed about the status of your applications in the portal of hochschulstart.de. Of course, we will also inform you by e-mail about any available admission offers from the University of Göttingen. Once you have decided on an admission offer from the University of Göttingen, you must actively and bindingly accept it in the portal of hochschulstart.de.
“It is important to me to create an inspiring learning environment in which I discuss the current challenges of our time, such as the rise of Asia, autocratisation trends and climate change, together with my students and link them to current research findings.“
“For me, research and teaching belong together. I want to introduce students to current research and enable them to conduct their own research.“
„In the lecture hall, learning does not happen by simply listening, but only when students "play along": Think along, ask questions, answer questions and join in the discussion. This interaction of the teaching conversation and the occasional "aha" experience when I have been able to convey something new and perhaps unexpected gives me pleasure.“
„Macroeconomics education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.“
"Behavioural Development Economics studies the living conditions of 80% of the world's population. We aim to understand how people make decisions that can decrease poverty. I aim to motivate students to be the ones who ask "the questions" and are prepared to answer them confidently.“
Are you wondering whether a study programme at the Faculty of Business and Economics is right for you or do you have questions about the course of studies, placement in a higher semester or recognition of academic achievements? During our office hours, we advise you on site at the Oeconomicum, digitally via BBB and by telephone without prior registration.
Oeconomicum, 1st floor, Room 1.135
