Development Studies 1

In collaboration with OsloMet

Forthcoming semesters: 9. februar 2026

Are you outraged by injustice – and excited by the thought of contributing to solutions? Development Studies 1 explores important questions from a critical, interdisciplinary perspective: why are the world's resources so unevenly distributed? Is sustainable growth possible? Does aid work? If you are curious and interested in social issues, this programme is for you!

Practical details

Application deadline:: Rolling admission
Forthcoming semesters:: 9 February or 8 September
Duration:: 10 weeks in Vietnam
Time and date:: Choose: Autumn or spring
Programme fee:: 6300
ECTS:: 30 ECTS
Included:: Study programme, accommodation, lunch on teaching days

About the programme

Studying development in Vietnam allows you to see theoretical concepts from textbooks come alive in your surrounding environment. Through fieldwork and excursions, you'll encounter individuals impacted daily by the issues discussed by our dedicated lecturers and seminar leaders. Development Studies 1 emphasizes Vietnam and Southeast Asia, offering a unique insight into the region's development challenges.

Seminar leader Ha My presents Development Studies

a woman in a white shirt is smiling in front of a tree .

Vietnam
Development Studies 1
Inspiration

"Helping students navigate the complexities of development challenges is incredibly inspiring"

Why choose Development Studies 1?

Gain first-hand experience with development work in Vietnam
Combine theory and practice through fieldwork and excursions
Develop critical thinking and intercultural competence
Work interdisciplinary and learn about equality, economy, climate, and much more

Semester overview

The programme is divided into three periods.

1
Self-study period
The semester starts with a six-week self-study period. You familiarize yourself with the curriculum, and ultimately submit a short assignment. The goal is for you to come prepared to the teaching period. You can combine this period with work or travel.
2
Teaching period in Vietnam
The ten-week teaching period in Vietnam consists of lectures, seminars, excursions, and fieldwork. Renowned lecturers from around the world teach, and our dedicated seminar leaders organize the seminars. In the final weeks, you work on a group exam.
3
Take-home exam
You will be given an individual take-home exam after the ten weeks are over. You have three weeks to complete it before the exam is due. Many stay in Hoi An to write their exam or go backpacking during this period. Just remember to allocate enough time to work steadily on the assignment!

a man and a woman in kimonos are standing in front of a sign .

Scholarship opportunities

Are you a Vietnamese national and wish to take part in the Development studies programme?

Each semester, we offer a select few local students the opportunity to take part in the course through our scholarship programme.

Read more about the scholarship

a row of thatched huts in a village with mountains in the background

Further studies

Are you wondering what studies you can pursue after a semester of development studies? Development studies is a broad field that can open up many opportunities for you, depending on what you want to work with and what you are passionate about. Your credits can be integrated into many Norwegian bachelor's degrees in social sciences and humanities.

Learn more about the bachelor's degree

a woman is walking down a street next to a red car .

Get a bachelor's degree!

After Development Studies 1 in Vietnam, you can continue with Development Studies 2 in Ghana. From there, you can apply for the second year of the bachelor's degree in Development Studies at OsloMet.

You can spend two more semesters on exchange with Kulturstudier – and earn a bachelor's degree with education from a total of five different countries!

After completing your bachelor's degree, you can apply to a wide range of social science master's programs.

a group of people are walking down a street

Career opportunities

Many wonder what they can become if they study development studies. There is not one answer to this, but many.

By studying development in a developing country, you gain a unique international competence that is sought after in the workforce, for example in tourism, aid, or education.

Since you get to experience the various issues firsthand and get close to the daily life in the countries you study in, you are in a stronger position than students who have not studied abroad.

Perhaps you want to become a journalist, researcher, work in a non-profit organization, or at an embassy? Then an education in development studies might be something for you.

Learn more about career opportunities

Portraits

Read what former students say about Development Studies 1

Vietnam
Development Studies 1
Portraits

"The experiences from Vietnam laid the foundation for the path ahead"

a woman in a yellow vest is standing on top of a mountain .

Vietnam
Development Studies 1
Portraits

Guro explored beautiful Vietnam without taking a break from her bachelor's degree

Ghana
Vietnam
Nepal and Sri Lanka
Costa Rica
Argentina
Development Studies 1
Development Studies 2
Portraits

A bachelor's degree across four continents and five countries

a woman stands in front of the who amman hub

Vietnam
Ghana
Argentina
Development Studies 2
Development Studies 1
Spanish in Argentina
Portraits

"Fieldwork gave me valuable experience and has made me attractive to employers"

a woman in a white sweater stands in front of a brick building

Vietnam
Development Studies 1
Portraits

"Learning about development has affected me both as a student and as a politician"

Meet the staff in Hoi An

Ha My Tran
Ha My is the seminar leader for Development Studies 1 students in Hoi An. Originating from Quang Nam province, she has resided in Hoi An for over a decade. Ha My holds a master's degree in Integrated Urban Studies and brings over 10 years of experience in sustainability and community development projects across Vietnam. Her work has focused on sustainable mobility culture, waste management, and sustainable tourism initiatives in Hoi An.
Vinh Le
Vinh Le Nguyen was born in Hoi An. He obtained a B.A in English in 1999 and intermediate level in tourism in 1998. Vinh has 15 years experience in tourism as a tour guide and tour operator. Vinh is Kulturstudier’s manager in Hoi An.

University partners

Apply for a spot

Have you found your dream study programme?

Go to application

1
Fill out the application
To apply for the program, fill out the application form. It is completely non-binding.
2
Offer of admission
Assuming there are available spots, we will send you an offer for a study place. To secure your spot, you pay a deposit of 250 EUR.
3
Start of studies
Before the start of your studies, you will receive information from us about all practical and academic preparations. The remainder of the tuition fee is to be paid two weeks before the start of your studies.

Practical details

About the programme

Seminar leader Ha My presents Development Studies

"Helping students navigate the complexities of development challenges is incredibly inspiring"

Why choose Development Studies 1?

Gain first-hand experience with development work in Vietnam

Combine theory and practice through fieldwork and excursions

Develop critical thinking and intercultural competence

Work interdisciplinary and learn about equality, economy, climate, and much more

Semester overview

Self-study period

Teaching period in Vietnam

Take-home exam

Scholarship opportunities

Further studies

Get a bachelor's degree!

Career opportunities

Portraits

"The experiences from Vietnam laid the foundation for the path ahead"

Guro explored beautiful Vietnam without taking a break from her bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree across four continents and five countries

"Fieldwork gave me valuable experience and has made me attractive to employers"

"Learning about development has affected me both as a student and as a politician"

Meet the staff in Hoi An

Ha My Tran

Vinh Le

University partners

OsloMet

University of Da Nang

Read more about

Accommodation

Application and admission

Curriculum, teaching and exams

Financing

Friendship

Safety and health

Student life and travel

Apply for a spot

Fill out the application

Offer of admission

Start of studies

Scholarship opportunities

Follow Kulturstudier

Why choose Development Studies 1?

Gain first-hand experience with development work in Vietnam

Combine theory and practice through fieldwork and excursions

Develop critical thinking and intercultural competence

Work interdisciplinary and learn about equality, economy, climate, and much more

Semester overview

Self-study period

Teaching period in Vietnam

Take-home exam

Scholarship opportunities

Further studies

Get a bachelor's degree!

Career opportunities

Portraits

"The experiences from Vietnam laid the foundation for the path ahead"

Guro explored beautiful Vietnam without taking a break from her bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree across four continents and five countries

"Fieldwork gave me valuable experience and has made me attractive to employers"

"Learning about development has affected me both as a student and as a politician"

Meet the staff in Hoi An

Ha My Tran

Vinh Le

University partners

OsloMet

University of Da Nang

Read more about

Accommodation

Application and admission

Curriculum, teaching and exams

Financing

Friendship

Safety and health

Student life and travel

Apply for a spot

Fill out the application

Offer of admission

Start of studies