This minor program is open to all students, but we explicitly recommend it to Social Work, Health Care, Pedagogy, Education & Teaching, Law, Security Studies, Human Resource Management and Economics students. We gladly welcome incoming international exchange students!

Content 

The minor International Development Work (IDW) focuses on international development issues in a globalizing world. It will give you a solid foundation in international development work theory, and provide you with the opportunity for (extended) field practice. You’ll attend lectures from Dutch and international experts. You work alone and in small groups of fellow highly-motivated (international) students.

International aid workers and related professionals increasingly have to address social problems that are being precipitated by international world-wide forces and events. The program will give you the opportunity to expand your repertoire and competencies by learning about theories, approaches, methods and actors in development and development work. The course content is founded in the relation between development and social work and covers topics as community development, social entrepreneurship and climate and ecological justice..

A week long excursion to Sarajevo and Srebrenica in Bosnia is included in the course program. You will also work on a field project for a non-profit organization. For students who want to spend more time in “the field” we also offer an exciting opportunity: during the second part of the semester, you either continue with the program in the Netherlands or you can opt for our practical program and work on an extensive field project abroad. The option to go abroad is only open to our Dutch students due to contract obligations with our international partner universities.

Additional costs 
Excursions: Transportation Utrecht-Bosnia v.v. and approx. 7 nights in Bosnia v.v.

Courses 

The program takes place during one semester (September-January) and contains the following topics: international development theories and history, social entrepreneurship, climate change and ecological justice, community development and a practical fieldwork project. 

Objectives for the courses are formulated in an extensive brochure on the minor’s program. Please send an email to gerian.alofs@hu.nl if you would like to receive the brochure. 

To enter this program, you are expected to have good oral and written English language skills.  

You can also follow this minor as a part-time student if you have a job or do an internship that has a connection to the Sustainable Development Goals. Ask the minor contact person for the possibilities.

As we like to keep our literature updated, we announce the exact titles of books, articles, and documentaries we use in spring 2024, so we can include forthcoming publications.

Classes are scheduled for 2 or 3 days a week (to be announced). 

With the exception of the first teaching period of the academic year (starting September), the lesson and test schedules are always posted on Mijn Rooster four weeks before the start of each teaching period. The schedule for the first teaching period of the academic year can be found on the site three weeks before the start. The most up-to-date schedule is always visible on Mijn Rooster.

At HU, full-time education may be scheduled between 08:30 and 19:00.

Assessment takes place through various assignments (written exam, group presentation, individual reflection) in which your knowledge, understanding and critical reflection of social development theories and practical experience are tested.

Signed learning agreements can be uploaded up to and including 28 June 2024 in Osiris Registration, see the instructions on the learning agreement or check our site. Learning agreements that are received after 28 June will not be processed. 

Please note: Learning Agreements will be considered in order of entry in Osiris Application (first come, first serve). A submitted learning agreement will not entitle you to a spot within a minor unless the following is the case:
* the minor is not yet full: each minor has a maximum number of places per period;
* the student has submitted the learning agreement in full (including his/her own details and signature and the stamp of the examination board);
* HU has signed and stamped the learning agreement.

Excursions: 

• Transportation Utrecht-Bosnia v.v. and approx. 7 nights in Bosnia v.v.