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.

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