IOB offers three Master programmes, each
with a high degree of specialisation and a
distinct focus: Globalisation and Development;
Governance and Development; and
Development Evaluation and Management.
Each of the three Master programmes takes 12
months to complete, starting and ending midSeptember. In the first three-month module,
students are updated on development-related
theories and research methods. The core of the
programme runs from January to May, when
students pursue individual tracks through
research-based modules. This knowledge
provides the foundation for the subsequent
dissertation project (from June to September).
Upon successful completion of the programme,
students are granted a Master of Science degree.
Although the IOB staff members constitute
the backbone of all educational programmes,
the Institute regularly calls upon experts from
NGOs, government agencies, and other research
institutes.
The theoretical and policy-oriented research
at IOB is organised around four research
lines: Conditional Finance for Development,
International Markets for the Poor, Local
Institutions for/in Development, and State,
Economy and Society. In addition to providing
an organisational basis for research activities at
the Institute, these lines are intended as links
between research and education.
We endeavour to make our teaching
programmes relevant for development
practitioners. In order to achieve this aim, our
staff members frequently engage in policy
advisory work, in addition to performing
their academic and research duties. Past
research projects have been conducted
for a wide range of agencies, including the
Belgian Directorate General for Development
Cooperation, Belgian Technical Cooperation,
the European Commission, the World Bank,
the United Nations, as well as for countless
non-government organisations. The insights
provided by such staff exposure constitute a
major source of inspiration for the teaching
programmes.
IOB also participates in various interuniversity partnerships with institutes in
developing countries, including the Universidad
Centro-Americana (Managua, Nicaragua), the
University of Cuenca (Ecuador), the Université
Catholique de Kinshasa (DR Congo), the
University of Bukavu (DR Congo), the University
of Western Cape (South Africa), the Mbarara
University of Science and Technology - MUST
(Uganda), the Université du Burundi and the
Mzumbe University (Tanzania).
The Institute is located on the University of
Antwerp’s City Campus, close to the central
railway station. It is easily accessible by
public transport. Antwerp is a pleasant city,
full of charm and modern convenience. The
city boasts many excellent museums and
historical monuments, as well as a fast-paced
nightlife, fine shopping districts, and a booming
commercial centre. The University’s City
Campus offers a broad