Master's Programs

Master’s in International Development
& Public Policy

DISCOVER

Build the future

Economics for policymakers

Nova SBE, in line with leading universities and public policy schools focused on international development, created an innovative Master’s degree in format and content. 


The program aims to provide a sustainable response to decision-makers' needs 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 socioeconomic contexts.


Are you ready to have a meaningful impact by deeply understanding the public policies?

“
The cooperation protocol between the MFA and Nova SBE represents a unique opportunity to combine the academic environment with practical knowledge in the area of diplomacy and Portuguese foreign policy.
 
AMBASSADOR JOSÉ FREITAS FERRAZ
Director of Instituto Diplomático [Diplomatic Institute]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“
The Master's in International Development & Public Policy is a pioneering program in Portugal due to the theoretical and hands-on approach to international development through the lens of public policies. With this being the focus of our activity as practitioners for over 40 years, we are glad to join the program as a Public Analysis Project partner.
 
Helena Valente
Member of the Board of CESO Development Consultants

The program*

SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
SEMESTER 3
Mandatory Courses 
Mandatory Courses  
Policy Analysis Project
Electives Courses
Electives Courses
Regular Seminars, Networking Events,
Nova SBE Career Fairs, Conferences
Career Development Program: Mastering Your Career
Skills Accelerator Modules

Mentoring Program
Mentoring Program

Skills Accelerator Modules
Regular Seminars, Networking Events,
Nova SBE Career Fairs, Conferences

Regular Seminars, Networking Events, Nova SBE Career Fairs, Conferences





Field Lab
*This program can be completed in 3 semesters: Fall, Spring and Summer

Mandatory Courses

  • 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

Electives

Electives allow you to customize your degree and build the foundations for your future career. You will get the chance to learn alongside students from other academic backgrounds, embracing diversity. Delivered in practical, strategic, and academic formats, electives are taught by the school’s faculty, who offer vital insight on the latest areas of research and business trends.


You can check the full list of electives here.

What our partners have to say

“
The new International Development & Public Policy Master's Program at Nova SBE is an exciting opportunity for those who care about public policy and policy-making. We are happy to cooperate with the university to try and find internship opportunities at the OECD Economics Department in many areas pertaining to economic and public policy.
 
Álvaro Santos Pereira
Diretor da Divisão de Estudos Nacionais do Departamento de Economia da OCDE
“
Banco de Cabo Verde [Bank of Cape Verde] perceives the partnership with NovaSBE in this innovative Master's program as an opportunity to strengthen its technical and institutional capacities and to successfully accomplish its social responsibility as a knowledge-based policy-making promoter while supporting the education of the next generation of policymakers.
 
Ana Cristina Lopes Semedo
Head of Research and Statistics Department
“
For IQVIA, collaborating with Nova SBE in this program is pivotal to ensure we contribute to the education of future generations, encouraging graduates to discover their pathway to build a career with greater purpose and have an impact in healthcare.
 
Inês Guerra
Principal, EMEA Real World Methods & Evidence Generation
“
The protocol with SPMS, E.P.E., and Nova SBE is an opportunity to closely examine the process of defining and implementing public policies and its impact in the specific context of a public company strongly associated with innovation and digital transformation in Health.
 
Luís Goes Pinheiro
Chairman of the Board of Directors of SPMS, E.P.E.
“
Maximus is a leading provider of citizen services delivered on behalf of governments across four continents and nice countries for more than forty years. We bring our international experience and expertise and embed it into our local, people-focused services to communities. We empower people by supporting them through important life changes, enabling them to transform their lives. Being a trusted partner to our government clients, we are always open to share our knowledge of putting policy into practice, lessons learned, and insights from delivering those policies. We are delighted to partner in the MIDPP to share our insights and promote partnerships in policy development.
 
Ania Mendrek
Business Development Director, Global Group, Europe da Maximus

What else will you be exploring?

Nova SBE Discovery Week

The Nova SBE Discovery Week is an unforgettable experience where you will have the opportunity to explore the school, learn more about your program, and meet other Master’s students. You will also have the chance to start thinking about your career and get familiar with the Nova SBE community (alumni, corporate partners, knowledge centers, staff, and faculty). You will be encouraged to consider your personal goals and preferences, discover your strengths, and the areas you would like to develop while gathering valuable insight into the professional choices that lay ahead.

  • Career Development Program

    You may already have career goals, or perhaps you are still considering what route, role, and environment will best suit you. Whether you already know how you plan to impact the world or whether you are still trying to decide, know that Nova SBE has a program that will guide you all the way through.


    Careers @ Nova SBE Team has a comprehensive program to give you the necessary tools to make your job search more effective from day one and transform your uncertainties into bold aspirations that can make a difference.

  • Skills Accelerator Modules

    he Skills Accelerator is a group of modules that aims to develop and enhance skills you gain through your journey at Nova SBE.

    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.

  • Study Trips

    In today’s world, leaders must understand and foster diversity as the main driver of human potential in organizations. Therefore, the school organizes several study trips under the Corporate Links/Internationalization modules from which you may choose to: 

    • Network with peers and faculty from leading institutions in world capitals such as Brussels, Dubai, Dublin, Düsseldorf,
      Geneva, London, Madrid, New York, San Francisco and Zürich
    • Visit innovative, successful companies and their business leaders, and consequently extend your understanding of how business cultures differ around the world


  • Work Project

    Policy Analysis Project


    The Policy Analysis Project (PAP) is the ultimate Master's in International Development and Public Policy experience.


    The PAP is developed in groups, and it will be established in partnership with public, non-profit, and private organizations to solve specific policy problems.


    It will be prepared to be launched in the Summer of the first year. It will be implemented through an all-year field lab sequence in collaboration with an academic tutor, and it will include evaluation components.


    It will also include a Summer internship with one of the following partnering institutions or partners – CESO, IQVIA, Maximus, Cape Verde Bank, Finance Ministry– GPEARI, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shared Services Ministry of Health, or OCDE. 


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


    The PAP will be evaluated as a master's thesis. 

Found what you were looking for?

Take the next step!

Let Nova SBE’s bright new campus be the sunny place where you will take the first steps towards success with affordable living and program fees.

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