Rural Development and Natural Resource Management - Master's programme

Information for those studying on the Master's programme (two-year) in Rural Development and Natural Resource Management. On these pages you will find information about the programme, contact details and the documents governing the degree programme.

This page is for students currently studying on the programme Click here to apply to the programme

Welcome letter

Congratulations on your place on the Master’s programme Rural Development and Natural Resource Management! We look forward to welcoming you here in Uppsala this autumn.

The 2026 autumn semester starts with a welcome event, followed by a mandatory roll-call and information session. If you are studying remotely, you can take part in the welcome session via video link, and the roll-call will also take place online.

Date: Monday 31 August

Time and place: On the New Student web page, you can find information about the start of the semester and where and when the roll-call for your programme will take place. If you are studying remotely, you can take part in the welcome session via video link, and the roll-call will also take place online.

On that same page, you will also find all the information you need as a new student at SLU.

Your first course on the programme is Rurality, Livelihoods and Gender, 15 credits. On the course page, you will find the timetable and other course-related information. The timetable and reading list are published at least four weeks before the course starts.

We look forward to meeting you! The next 2 years will be valuable and exciting. Our focus is on your success, but please keep in mind that your academic results depend on your own personal responsibility and effort. Throughout your studies, you will take courses across various subjects and departments, sometimes alongside both domestic and international students from other programmes. 

This 2-year programme investigates the problems of rural development and natural resource management in a global context and offers opportunities for both broadened and in-depth studies. At the end of the programme you will have gained a deeper insight into development issues with a social science perspective on natural resources and globalisation.  

With a Master’s degree in rural development, your skills will be in demand and you will be equipped to start an academic career in a ministry, government agency, an international organisation, or in aid. You will also be able to continue your studies towards a PhD.

We wish you a warm welcome!

Margarita Cuadra, Assistant Programme director of studies 

Camilo Calderón, Programme director of studies

Studying on the programme

The graphical course schedule (pdf-file) shows all programme courses for a specific academic year in an overview picture. Information on the courses may also be found in the programme syllabus.

Graphical course schedule, NM009 Rural Development, academic year 2026-2027 (PDF).

The graphical course schedule (pdf-file) shows all programme courses for a specific academic year in an overview picture. Information on the courses may also be found in the programme syllabus.

Graphical course schedule, NM009 Rural Development, academic year 2025-2026 (PDF).

Course syllabuses provide information about a course’s subject area(s) and its level and specialisation. The syllabus is available from the course’s webpage which you can find by using the course search

Abbreviations

  • G1N: First-cycle level, only upper secondary entry requirements
  • G1F: First-cycle level, fewer than 60 credits from first-cycle courses as entry requirement
  • G2F: First-cycle level, a minimum of 60 credits at first-cycle level as entry requirement
  • G2E: First-cycle level, a minimum of 60 credits at first-cycle level as entry requirement, contains a degree project for the Degree of Bachelor
  • A1N: Second-cycle level, only first-cycle course(s) as entry requirement – at SLU, a minimum of 120 credits at first-cycle level is required
  • A1F: Second-cycle level, contains degree project for
    Master’s degree (60 credits)
  • GXX: First-cycle level, course specialisation cannot be classified
  • AXX: Second-cycle level, course specialisation cannot be classified.

You will find different forms of support for students on the page Support and services.

Degree

Once you have completed your studies, you need to apply for your degree.

After your studies

After your graduation, you may register in the SLU Alumni Network. Through the network you will be able to keep in contact with SLU and increase your professional and social network.

If you need a study certificate, you can obtain it by logging in to Ladok Student.

Read more about certificates.

Even after graduation, you may recieve career guidance. Read more at SLU Career.

Your student account will be deactivated two years after your last registered course has ended and your data folder in SLU's file storage system is deleted one year after graduation. 

Read more about your student account.

Contact

Year 1, 2026

autumn semester
spring semester
LU0096
31 Aug-01 Nov
Rurality, Livelihood and Gender
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0093
02 Nov-17 Jan
Governance of Natural Resources
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
MX0174
18 Jan-24 Mar
Conflict, dialogue and facilitation
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
ÖV0001
18 Jan-24 Mar
Internship - Rural Development
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0092
25 Mar-06 Jun
Global food systems and food security
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
autumn semester
LU0096
31 Aug-01 Nov
Rurality, Livelihood and Gender
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0093
02 Nov-17 Jan
Governance of Natural Resources
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
spring semester
MX0174
18 Jan-24 Mar
Conflict, dialogue and facilitation
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
ÖV0001
18 Jan-24 Mar
Internship - Rural Development
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0092
25 Mar-06 Jun
Global food systems and food security
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala

Year 1, 2025

autumn semester
spring semester
LU0096
01 Sep-02 Nov
Rurality, Livelihood and Gender
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0093
03 Nov-18 Jan
Governance of Natural Resources
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
MX0148
19 Jan-23 Mar
Conflict, democracy and facilitation
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
ÖV0001
19 Jan-23 Mar
Internship - Rural Development
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
autumn semester
LU0096
01 Sep-02 Nov
Rurality, Livelihood and Gender
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0093
03 Nov-18 Jan
Governance of Natural Resources
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
spring semester
MX0148
19 Jan-23 Mar
Conflict, democracy and facilitation
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
ÖV0001
19 Jan-23 Mar
Internship - Rural Development
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala

Year 2, 2026

autumn semester
spring semester
LU0085
31 Aug-29 Sep
The Context and Process of Research I: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0090
30 Sep-01 Nov
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0091
02 Nov-17 Jan
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
EX0889
18 Jan-06 Jun
Master thesis in Rural Development, A2E
30.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
autumn semester
LU0085
31 Aug-29 Sep
The Context and Process of Research I: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0090
30 Sep-01 Nov
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0091
02 Nov-17 Jan
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
spring semester
EX0889
18 Jan-06 Jun
Master thesis in Rural Development, A2E
30.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala

Year 2, 2025

autumn semester
spring semester
LU0085
01 Sep-30 Sep
The Context and Process of Research I: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0090
01 Oct-02 Nov
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0091
03 Nov-18 Jan
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
EX0889
19 Jan-07 Jun
Master thesis in Rural Development, A2E
30.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
autumn semester
LU0085
01 Sep-30 Sep
The Context and Process of Research I: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0090
01 Oct-02 Nov
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods
7.5 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
LU0091
03 Nov-18 Jan
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing
15.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala
spring semester
EX0889
19 Jan-07 Jun
Master thesis in Rural Development, A2E
30.0 hp • 100% • Campus-based instruction • Uppsala