1. Are you fascinated by processes of state formation, state reconstruction, peace-building, and conflict resolution? 

2. Do you want to learn more about how governance at the local, national, regional and international levels contributes to sustainable development? 

The Institute of Development Policy (IOB) at the University of Antwerp brings together people from around the world who share your concerns and ambitions. 

In the Advanced Master of Governance and Development, you’ll study how conflict is both a cause and consequence of governance failures, and learn to critically analyse governance problems and possible resolutions. You’ll gain the theoretical, methodological, and practical insights to conduct research on governance challenges across different scales, while engaging with contemporary debates about global development.

About the programme

The programme takes 12 months of full-time study to complete, starting and ending in mid-September. 

Students in this advanced master programme choose one of the following two tracks: 

• Track 1: From violent conflict to peace and state reconstruction
  This track explores issues of governance and development against the background of violent conflict and the challenge of post-conflict state reconstruction. This track is intended for participants with a variety of disciplinary backgrounds who aspire to careers in conflict-prone environments or post-conflict situations, or who are interested in policy-oriented research on these topics. 
• Track 2: Local governance and poverty reductionIn countries characterised by weak or fragile national structures, local decision-making plays an integral role in poverty reduction.
  This track addresses governance and development from the perspective of local institutions, focusing on the interaction between local, national, and transnational actors in governance processes. The track is intended for participants who are interested in research on the interface between the transnational, national and local level and/or between state and non-state development actors. 

The advanced master programme culminates in a written dissertation that is defended during an oral presentation. Successful completion of the programme leads to the awarding of a Master of Science degree.