The Master's Degree in International Cooperation Sciences at the University of Salento – located in Brindisi – guarantees its students advanced knowledge in sociological, economic and historical-political disciplines. This in-depth study ensures that students are able to analyze and interpret the specific social, economic and institutional forms that characterize the economies of all the countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area, with particular attention to developing countries – for which specific skills are promoted to effectively manage the relationships between gender and development and between peace and development – as well as to evaluate and manage international cooperation processes.
At the end of the course, students will have knowledge and will have developed specific skills in the application of the various methodologies used by multi- and bilateral cooperation organizations for the development of development aid programs and projects and peace missions. The same will be able to design, draft and implement integrated development aid programs and projects, with particular emphasis on: 1) economic development, 2) social development, 3) support for vulnerable groups, 4) the possible reduction of poverty, 5) inter-institutional cooperation and 6) the improvement of settlement and environmental sustainability conditions. The degree in International Cooperation Sciences also guarantees knowledge and application skills of the methods of monitoring and evaluation of development aid programs and projects used by multi- and bilateral cooperation organizations; ability to direct programs and projects (project coordination and management); design and operational skills to know how to operate with high degrees of autonomy and to direct group work in conditions of scarce resources.
The graduate in International Cooperation Sciences will be able to use fluently, in written and oral form, a language of the European Union, in addition to Italian, also with reference to disciplinary lexicons. Furthermore, he/she will possess advanced skills and tools for communication and information management.
Career opportunities and professional activities envisaged by the degree course are in public administration and international organisations in the field of cooperation and aid to all those countries as indicated above, with roles of high responsibility.
For the purposes indicated, the master's degree course includes activities dedicated to:
- the acquisition of advanced knowledge in the fields of political, economic and social organisation;
- the acquisition of advanced knowledge in the legal and statistical fields;
- the interpretation of social, cultural, economic and territorial transformations, including the gender variable;
- the preparation of projects and the evaluation of results;
- the in-depth study of the fields of study concerning the comparative analysis of the different political, economic, social and territorial government systems.
The training course also includes external activities, such as internships and placements, at central and local administrations, universities, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, study and research bodies operating in the field of international development aid and cooperation. In this sense, some important NGOs have made themselves available, as well as the two operational bases of the UN based in Brindisi. Specifically, the United Nations Global Service (UNGSC) and the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD).
For this reason, in relation to a specialization oriented towards inclusion in international cooperation organizations (NATO and others), activities aimed at acquiring specific knowledge on their structure, functioning and management are planned.

To successfully attend the Master's Degree course, it is necessary to have acquired:
1. knowledge of the English language equal to level B2
2. adequate individual preparation

The candidate must possess, under penalty of inadmissibility, the following requirement:

- first level degree pursuant to art. 3 c. 1 of Ministerial Decree 509/99 acquired in classes 15 (Political Sciences and International Relations) and 35 (Social Sciences for Cooperation, Development and Peace);

or

- first level degree pursuant to art. 3 c. 1 of Ministerial Decree 270/04 acquired in one of the following classes:
• L-6 Geography,
• L-11 Modern Languages and Cultures,
• L-12 Linguistic Mediation;
• L-14 Legal Services Sciences;
• L-16 Administration and Organization Sciences;
• L-18 Economics and Business Management Sciences;
• L-33 Economic Sciences;
• L-36 Political Sciences and International Relations;
• L-37 Social Sciences for Cooperation, Development and Peace;
• L-39 Social Services;
• L-40 Sociology;
• L-42: History
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- master's degree pursuant to art. 3 c. 1 of Ministerial Decree 270/04 acquired in one of the following classes:
• LMG/01 Law;
• LM-16 Finance;
• LM-36 Languages and Literatures of Africa and Asia;
• LM-37 Modern European and American Languages and Literatures;
• LM-38 Modern Languages for International Communication and Cooperation;
• LM-52 International Relations;
• LM-56 Economics;
• LM-62 Political Sciences;
• LM-80 Geographical Sciences;
• LM-84 Historical Sciences;
• LM-87 Social Services and Social Policies;
• LM-88 Sociology and Social Research;
• LM-94 Specialised Translation and Interpreting

or

- four-year degree (VO) in Law


In addition to the possession of the curricular requirements, all students are required to undergo a personal preparation assessment.
There are no training debts, or additional training obligations, at the time of access.

The final exam for the achievement of the master's degree consists in the drafting and public discussion of a written thesis elaborated in an original way by the student under the guidance of a supervisor and on a topic consistent with the objectives of the course of study.
The dissertation must demonstrate mastery of the topics, critical ability, the aptitude to operate autonomously and a good level of communication ability.

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