Overview

The Innovation, Human Development and Sustainability programme of University of Geneva ocuses on defining and developing concrete solutions for the SDGs through hands-on, team-based and project-driven activities, in parallel with courses on the fundamentals of sustainable development in all its dimensions - human, environmental and institutional.

The IHDS can be taken as a stand-alone program including an exchange semester abroad (single degree track) or be combined with the Master of Public Policy for Sustainable Development Goals (MPP-SDG) offered by Tsinghua University (dual degree track).

Hands on learning and innovative teaching concept

The Master's degree comprises a high proportion of hands-on teaching. Half of the time is devoted to workshops during which students are invited by external partners (IGOs, NGOs, etc.) to address practical issues and challenges related to SDGs. Projects or practical cases are carried out in groups and supervised by mentors from these external partner organisations and UNIGE teachers and advisors. The outputs of the workshops are presented during public sessions.

Some of these workshops are combined with fieldwork, either in the Geneva region or abroad (San Francisco and Kenya in 2018; Dakar and Indonesia in 2019; Athens in 2020; Dakar in 2021).

Programme Structure

Basic courses 30 credits

Sustainable Development and Political Agendas
Culture and Education for Sustainability
Science, Expertise and Sustainable Development Workshop 1: Innovation for Sustainable Development

Specialization 30 credits

1 workshop per module:

Practice of Sustainable Human Development
Voluntary Standards, Governance and SDGs
Urban Futures

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-15 00:00:00

Apply anytime.
Starting 2027-02-17 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

92

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

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Credits

120 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Genève, Switzerland

Disciplines

International Development Public Policy Political Science View 6 other Masters in International Development in Switzerland

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

92

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Bachelor degree in various fields (including social and political sciences, economics, geography and environment, law, information technology, engineering and applied sciences)
Certificate in English (for non-Native speakers): valid test and minimum scores TOEFL 92, IELTS 7.0, or Cambridge Advanced Certificate 185
Strong interest in United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in any form of innovation (technical, economic, cultural and social) aiming at reaching the SDGs
Experience in working and studying in intercultural/international contexts

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Geneva and/or in Switzerland, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

1000 CHF / year

≈ 1000 CHF / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

1000 CHF / year

≈ 1000 CHF / year

Living costs

Genève

Switzerland

1925 - 2850 CHF / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Innovation, Human Development and Sustainability.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Hands on learning and innovative teaching concept

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Genève

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners