Before You Unplug: Discover UniPID’s Virtual Studies and Master’s Award in Development Studies.

Before heading off on your summer holidays, take a moment to explore the UniPID Virtual Studies Catalogue and discover the engaging course offerings for the 2025–2026 academic year. And if you’ve recently completed your Master’s thesis, why not take it a step further and apply for the Master’s Award in Development Studies 2025?

Dear students,

As you soak up the summer, take a moment to discover the exciting opportunities waiting for you: browse our virtual studies catalogue for the upcoming academic year and consider applying for the Master’s Award in Development Studies 2025.

• UniPID Virtual Studies Programme 2025-2026

The semester has just ended, and we’ve already updated our UniPID Virtual Studies Catalogue for the 2025–2026 academic year! A total of 13 courses are available, including three new courses debuting this year, along with our MOOC Essentials in Development Studies, which will be offered in both semesters.

What are UniPID Virtual Studies?

UniPID Virtual Studies are free online courses designed for degree and exchange students at UniPID member universities, who are interested in deepening their understanding of sustainable development and global challenges. All courses are conducted in English, worth 5 ECTS credits, and are offered at least three times. You can explore the full UniPID Virtual Studies Catalogue here.

Course registration and start dates vary, so be sure to check the details for each one. Below is a list of the courses available for the upcoming academic year:

• The Power Dynamics between Global North and Global South in addressing Climate Mobilities (NEW!)

• Global Policies and Local Challenges: Perspectives from the South

• Food Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Innovation Practices: a Comparison between Africa and the Nordic Countries

• Migrant Pedagogy in the Era of Global Displacement

• Climate Change and Trade in the Global South

• MOOC "Essentials in Development Studies" Autumn 2025

• Collaborative Approaches and Conflict Resolution Strategies for Sustainability Challenges (NEW!)

• Brands, Trademark Law, and Sustainability - Lessons from/for the Global South (NEW!)

• Curriculum Development for Climate Change Education in Global South

• Indigenous peoples, beliefs, and rights in the Arctic – in comparison to the Global South

• Climate and Food Security in the Arctic with Global Consequences

• Globalisation and Corporate Responsibility

• Gender, Conflict, and Development in the Global South

Don’t want to miss the enrolment period for the courses you're interested in? Let us notify you by email when registration opens. Simply fill out the short form at the end of each course page, and we’ll make sure you get a reminder!

• Master’s Award in Development Studies

Have you recently submitted a thesis relevant to the field of development studies? If so, consider applying for the UniPID–FSDR Master’s Award in Development Studies.

The Master’s Award in Development Studies 2025 will be presented in conjunction with FSDR’s annual Development Days Conference in February 2026. The prize for the winning thesis is 1,000 euros. Honorable mentions will also be awarded to other high-quality theses of exceptional merit. Read the full call here.

The Master’s Award in Development Studies eligibility criteria are the following:

• The thesis has been approved as a requirement for completion of a Master’s degree during the period 1.8.2024 - 31.7.2025 at a UniPID member university.

• The language of the thesis is in Finnish, Swedish, or English.

• The grade of the thesis is eximia cum laude approbator or higher, or at least 4 in the 1-5 grading scale.

• While the scope of the competition is multidisciplinary, the thesis should employ one of the following global development research frameworks: development studies, developing country research, international development, or Global South research.

Participate by filling in the form available here https://www.unipid.fi/unipid-calls/masters-award-2025/ before 15 August 2025.

Stay up to date with the great opportunities we have for you by following us on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky, Instagram), visiting our website, and subscribing to our mailing list.

Wishing you a joyful and restful summer!

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Photo credits: Europeana, 2025 on Unsplash.