Programs

Master's in International Development & Public Policy

The Program

Master’s in International Development and Public Policy

The Master’s in International Development & Public Policy responds to the demand for applied training in the fields of Public Policy and Development, tailored to attract high quality international students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, from the social sciences and humanities, to economics, political science, and engineering. 

Students will be exposed to the fields of economics, management, political science, and quantitative methods, with direct application to Public Policy and Development. At the same time, students will develop an empirical approach to applied issues through Policy Analysis Project (PAP). 

The degree program aims to provide a sustainable response to the needs of decision makers by providing them with analytical skills, awareness, and personal development at an appropriate level to support the performance of governmental and non-governmental organizations, including companies, in demanding and diverse socio-economic contexts. 

Candidates Profile

From any bachelors programs with quantitative background: from management and economics, international relations or other social sciences, to engineering or other analytical skills. We strongly advice students with limited quantitative skills to complete the bridging courses in order to progress smoothly into the program. 

Keen on learning the questions behind public policies and developing analytical and quantitative skills to deal with real problems.

Strong international vocation, bringing future leaders from a wide range of contexts to Nova SBE.

That aspire to know more on economics for policymakers, with an important management component.

That aim at helping leaders to have a meaningful impact in their communities.

Young practitioners in organizations with a public policy dimension, with high potential and willing to enrich their knowledge and practical approach on international development and public policy.

Applications Fall intake 2023/24

Applications for the Fall Intake 2023/24 are open from January 5, 2023 until May 19, 2023.

Are you ready for this unique learning experience?

For more information, please contact us by emailing leadyourfuture@novasbe.pt or calling +351 213 801 699.

Week 1 (@ Nova SBE) 

  • Discovery Week

1st Semester (30 ECTS) 

  • Mandatory Courses
  • Electives
  • Skills Accelerator Modules
  • Seminars 
  • Career Development Program – Mastering Your Career
  • Mentoring Program
     

2nd Semester (30 ECTS) 

  • Mandatory Courses
  • Electives
  • Seminars
  • Skills Accelerator  Modules                     

3rd Semester (30 ECTS)

  • Work Project (PAP - Policy Analysis Project)

* Please note that for the academic year of 2023/24 this information may be subject to changes.

  • Development Economics I 
  • Development Economics II 
  • International Relations and Organizations 
  • Management 
  • Markets, Incentives, and Behaviour 
  • Policy Analysis Exercise 
  • Policy Appraisal 
  • Policy Evaluation for Public Policy
  • Politics for Policy 
  • Politics and Public Policy
  • Public Policy I  
  • Public Policy II  
  • Statistics for Policy Action 

* Please note that for the academic year of 2023/24 this information may be subject to changes.

  • Applied Quantitative Studies
  • Applied Social Entrepreneurship
  • Asian Brands
  • Behavioral Economics and Finance
  • Brand Management for Hospitality
  • Brands and Marketing in Asia’s Emerging Markets
  • Circular Economy:  Eliminate, Circulate and Regenerate
  • Competition Policy
  • Corporate Strategy and Transformation
  • Design Thinking for Social Innovation
  • Economics of Education
  • Economics of Health and Health Care
  • Economics of Health Systems
  • Energy and Climate change
  • Environmental Policy
  • European Union: Governance and Crises
  • Game Theory
  • Geoeconomics and International Relations
  • Global Energy Markets
  • Global Talent Management
  • History of Economic Analysis
  • International Migration
  • International Tourism Policy
  • Labor Economics
  • Leadership and Change Management
  • Macroeconomic Analysis
  • Management in the Public Sector
  • Management of Non-Profit Organizations
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Microeconomic Analysis
  • Modeling Business decisions for Operations
  • Negotiation
  • Operations Management
  • Political Economy
  • Principles of Shopper Marketing
  • Private Sector Development
  • Project Management
  • Public Finance
  • Qualitative Methods for business decisions
  • Responsibility and Ethics of Business
  • Sovereign Advisory
  • Strategic Costing
  • Strategic Planning and Control
  • Sustainability Evaluation of Policies, Plans and Projects
  • Sustainable International Business
  • Sustainable Operations

* Please note that for the academic year of 2023/24 this information may be subject to changes.

The Policy Analysis Project (PAP) is the final work project to complete the Masters Program. The PAP will be evaluated as a master's thesis. 

The PAP can be implemented in a variety of formats, from Field Lab, to Directed Research and Directed Research Internship. 

Most PAPs are supposed to be developed as Field Labs. In a Field Lab, a group of students is given a topic or a challenge proposed by a partner institution, under the supervision of an academic tutor. Partner institutions can be public, non-profit, or private organizations aiming to address specific policy questions. The work project consists in addressing the challenge with a written report, that must include both individual contributions and a group contribution. 

The implementation of the PAP will take place during the master’s third semester, starting in September, and to be completed in December.

* Please note that for the academic year of 2023/24 this information may be subject to changes.

The Skills Accelerator is composed by 4 areas and students must complete 1 module in each area, according to their Master’s program.

  • Digital

Technology for business: concepts, tools and software.

  • Ethics

The concept of ethics and its importance in life (personal and professional). Exposure to ethical challenges and practical discussions on how to address them. 

  • Market Links

Activities career and job market related. Organized by Careers office, student clubs, or faculty. Depending on the module selected, corporate partners and other companies are invited to participate. Competencies you might acquire and/or accelerate: self-awareness, collaboration, teamwork effectiveness, critical thinking and problem-solving, job market knowledge, Alumni networking.

  • Leadership

Leadership concepts and tips: self-leadership and leading others.

* Please note that for the academic year of 2023/2024 this information may be subject to changes.

ECTS this, ECTS that

How does the grading system work?

Grading is based upon the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), a grading scale developed to understand better and compare grades given, according to different national systems.

We did the math for you and the awarding of ECTS grades breaks down as follows:

30 ECTS
in Mandatory Courses including the Mastering Your Career Activities
(Bridging courses not included)

28 ECTS
in Elective Courses (minimum)

2 ECTS
in Skills Accelerator Modules

30 ECTS
in the Work Project

90 ECTS (minimum) in total to graduate
É necessário um mínimo de 90 ECTS para completar o mestrado. Se precisar de 120 ECTS para continuar os seus estudos, o aluno pode prolongar o mestrado por um semestre com disciplinas optativas (28 ECTS) e módulos (2 ECTS).

Ready to write new chapters of your story?

Ready to write new chapters of your story?

Attend one of our many Master’s Talks and learn all about this program, its Academic Director, the teams that can help you journey your way to Nova SBE, and clarify any doubts you may have.