The Bachelor's programme in Sustainable Development Studies is divided into foundational studies (1st and 2nd semesters) and the advanced and specialization phase (3rd to 6th semesters). In the first two semesters, you acquire knowledge of the fundamental problems and solution approaches in development studies as well as in several important neighboring disciplines. We also provide you with methodological knowledge in economics and the social sciences, as well as initial foundational knowledge in the areas of anthropology, international relations, and the economics 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 also become familiar with qualitative methods, meaning the interpretation of non-numerical data such as opinions and experiences in the form of interviews and case studies. In addition, you will receive an introduction to ethnological analysis, which focuses on understanding and explaining the behavior, culture and social structures of specific communities or cultures.

In this area, you choose a specialist or regional focus that corresponds to your personal interests. This will deepen your specialist knowledge and give your studies an individual profile. You can choose between development economics, globalization, sustainability and regional studies. The area studies focus also includes courses in languages such as Hindi, Swahili or Mongolian. If you decide on this specialisation, 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 Global South is a mandatory component of the degree programme. You have several options for getting to know another cultural area and deepening your language skills. First, you can spend a semester abroad at a university in a country of the Global South. Usually you will take courses related to sustainable development studies and to your chosen specialization area, and you will examine the topics from the perspective of your host country. Before you go abroad, you will set out in a binding Learning Agreement in Göttingen which courses you will take there and which coursework and examinations you intend to complete. If you do not pass examinations abroad, you can make them up at the University of Göttingen. As an alternative to a semester abroad, you can also complete the module B.WIWI.SDS.0006 "Field Research in the Global South" worth 18 credits or the module B.WIWI.SDS.0005 "Internship in the Global South" for the same number of credits. Countries of the Global South include all countries according to a list of developing countries based on the 2023 DAC list, which you can find here (PDF in German).

In the elective area, you can include additional modules from the offerings in economics, business administration, business information systems and quantitative methods, thereby further sharpening your individual profile. You can also choose modules from agricultural sciences and, under certain conditions, language courses and modules from the University's key competencies programme. 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 specialisation 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.

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• Mailing list for economics students (information on teaching offers; job advertisements of economics Chairs etc.)


• Studying abroad