Essentials in Development Studies (MOOC)

This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Essentials in Development Studies aims to provide students with fundamentals to the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary discipline of development studies and motivate students to further their knowledge in the field.

5 ECTS Credits — Studies start 31 August 2026 — University of Jyväskylä

Register

Course dates

31 August 2026 – 4 December 2026

Registration period

3 August 2026 – 4 December 2026

Coordinating university

University of Jyväskylä

Instructors

Ridwan Abukari

Credits

5 ECTS

Register

Course dates: 31.8. - 4.12.2026
Registration dates: 3.8. - 4.12.2026
Coordinating university: University of Jyväskylä Course code in Sisu: DEVM5004
Responsible teacher: Ridwan Abukari ()
Credits: 5 ECTS

PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!

Essentials in Development Studies is a massive open online course (MOOC) available to anyone interested in development studies. You are welcome to access the learning materials, follow the video lectures and explore the course content regardless of your educational background or institutional affiliation.

You may access the course content through self-enrollment. Please visit the DigiCampus page of the course here: Essentials in Development Studies, Autumn 2026 | DigiCampus and enter the enrollment key: Essentials_Autumn2026

Please note that the enrollment key is case-sensitive. Pay attention to the capital letters "E" and "A". The self-enrollment through DigiCampus is available from 3 August to 20 November 2026. The DigiCampus page for the course will remain accessible until 4 December 2026.

Official credits and certificates

If you wish to receive official ECTS credits, a certificate of completion, or include the course in your degree studies, you must officially register for the course.

  • For students at the UniPID Member Universities, the registration takes place through the official study administration system of the home university (Sisu or Peppi). Search for “Special Courses in Development Studies 2 (5 cr)” or DEVM5004. Note that the course is provided by the University of Jyväskylä.
  • For others, please contact UniPID Virtual Studies Coordinator for registration instructions.

Please note that the access to the DigiCampus course page alone does not entitle you to credits or a certificate.

The certificate of completions (course credits) is free of charge for the degree students for all that study in UniPID member universities. For other participants, course fee is €100.

About the course

Essentials in Development Studies is a MOOC course created by UniPID, in collaboration with the discipline of Development Studies at the University of Helsinki and the University of Jyväskylä. The course is part of the UniPID Virtual Studies Programme, as well as the University of Jyväskylä's course syllabus. It is held in English and worth 5 ETCS credits.

The principal target group is master-level students at UniPID member universities. However, the course is also suitable for bachelor's students, doctoral researchers, professionals working in development-related fields, and anyone interested in learning more about development studies.

Registration and course completion

To obtain official course credits and/or a certificate of completion, please follow these steps:

  1. Register for the course through your home university's Sisu or Peppi system (via RIPA service). Search for “Special Courses in Development Studies 2 (5 cr)” or DEVM5004. Note that the course is provided by the University of Jyväskylä.
  2. Self-enroll on Essentials in Development Studies, Autumn 2026 | at DigiCampus using the course enrollment key: Essentials_Autumn2026
  3. Complete all required assignments and assessments by 4 December, 2026.

IMPORTANT: If you are affiliated to a UniPID member university, please enroll in DigiCampus using your institutional email account.

The course materials are openly available to all interested participants through DigiCampus. If you are participating the course for personal or professional learning purposes, you may access the course materials without official university registration. In that case, you don't need to register through Sisu or Peppi.

Course content and learning outcomes

The course consists of 5 modules:

  • What is Development?
  • Major theories of Development
  • Actors, institutions and policies of Development
  • Current topics in Development studies
  • Reflections on Development and alternatives

Learning Objective: The course provides students with fundamentals to the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary discipline of development studies and motivate students to further their knowledge in the field.

After completing the course, students will be able to:

  • Distinguish between development as a historical process of change and as an international intervention with defined outcomes;
  • Be familiar with selected/major theories of development;
  • Identify and analyse actors, institutions, and policies of development;
  • Be acquainted with current debates on development studies or development research;
  • Reflect development from conventional, critical and alternative perspectives as well as from the point of view of inclusion and exclusion.

For further information, you can contact Meeri Tiensuu ().

Virtual Studies Course Catalogue →