Master of Science (MSc) in Development Economics

The English-language Master of Science in Development Economics is jointly offered by the Department of Economics (Faculty of Business and Economics) and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences). This attractive master's programme offers a wide array of development relevant courses, a specialization in quantitative or agricultural economics, one semester stay abroad at one of our many partner universities around the globe or opportunities for field work in a developing country. All these features together with the concluding master's thesis will enable students to analyze current issues in development economics and prepare them for successful careers as development specialists in government agencies, supra-national or non-governmental organizations, research, and the private sector.

The selection procedure takes place in two steps with a pre-selection of applicants based on their written application documents followed by a personal selection interview with some of the applicants.

The following points are evaluated in the pre-selection procedure:

• Final grade of the bachelor's degree (or the comparable university degree)
• CV and letter of motivation (proof of special interest in development field)
• Sound knowledge of economic theory documented by a corresponding specialisation and performance in the programme, on which application is based: Please read the according admission requirements for the MSc in Development Economics.

Suitable candidates may be invited to a selection interview, if not already admitted based on their application material alone. This interview will be held online in case of international applicants. German residents will be scheduled during the so-called "application day" and have to appear in person. The admission committee will inform the applicants of the selection process results in writing.

The master's programme in development economics is four semesters in length during which 120 ECTS are to be completed. It is divided into the course phase and the master's thesis. There are three compulsory modules (18 credits) in development economics and one compulsory module in quantitative methods (6 credits). Students can then specialize in quantitative or agricultural economics, each requiring a further 12 credits (two modules) from a list of four pre-specified courses in the field of their specialization. Then students can choose another 36 credits (six modules) in development or agricultural economics from a wide variety of course offerings, of which one course (6 credits) has to be a seminar to be selected from a pre-specified list of different seminars in the field of development or agricultural economics. Three modules can then be chosen freely also among other subjects (including language courses) and the master's thesis completes the programme (in practice compulsory, specialization, and elective modules will be taken simultaneously).

For an overview of the particular modules offered please click here.

German applicants and foreign citizens holding a German undergraduate degree must study abroad for one semester (or alternatively do field work abroad leading to their thesis). This semester can be spent at one of our numerous partner universities. Students may apply for the following programmes:

• Exchange programme with the Stellenbosch University, South Africa, funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or with the University of Pretoria
• Exchange programme with universities in Latin and South America (e.g. Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina)
• Exchange programme with the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), University of the West Indies
• Exchange programme with universities in Asia (for example China, India, Indonesia, and South Korea)
• European Exchange Programme ERASMUS
• or alternatively any other university abroad which is part of the University of Göttingen international network

For questions and/ or applications please contact the "Foreign Affairs" team of the Service Centre for Students. Detailed information about the exchange programmes you will find here.

Illustration: Schematic overview of the structure of the master's programme in development economics

The University of Göttingen Faculty of Business and Economics offers three double degree programmes in development economics:

• Double degree programme in cooperation with Stellenbosch University: The programme offers students the opportunity to earn both a Master of Science (MSc) in Development Economics from the University of Göttingen Faculty of Business and Economics, and a Master of Commerce in Economics (MComm) offered by the University of Stellenbosch: More Information
• Double degree programme in cooperation with the University of Florence: The programme offers students the opportunity to earn both a Master of Science (MSc) in Development Economics from the University of Göttingen Faculty of Business and Economics, and a Master of Economics and Development (MSc) offered by the University of Florence School of Economics and Management: More Information
• Double degree programme in cooperation with the University of Clermont Auvergne: The programme offers students the opportunity to earn both a Master of Science (MSc) in Development Economics from the University of Göttingen Faculty of Business and Economics, and a Master mention Economie du Développement offered by the University of Clermont Auvergne Ecole d’Economie (School of Economics): More Information

In order to apply the acquired knowledge in practice, to gain first work experience or to get to know possible relevant professional fields - the Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes students to gain practical experience during their studies. Therefore, you have the possibility to have a voluntary internship in the elective area of your studies credited under certain conditions. You can find detailed information here.
Job portal of the University of Göttingen with external job offers: Stellenwerk Göttingen (in German)

The degree in development economics will offer excellent career perspectives in a wide range of fields. Building on a track record of successful placement of students of our existing master's programmes, the opportunities for this programme include employment in:

• government and aid agencies working on development issues,
• international organizations such as the World Bank, organizations of the UN system (e.g. ILO, FAO, UNIDO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, etc.), the OECD, EU, or regional development banks,
• policy research institutions such as those of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research as well as national and international development policy think tanks,
• international business in multinational companies,
• further education at the Ph.D. level in Göttingen or abroad.

With its development-oriented postgraduate study programmes, the DAAD (funded by the BMZ - Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) promotes the training of specialists from developing and newly industrialized countries. Well-trained local experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education and health for all.

Funded through this programme, the University of Göttingen offers 7-8 scholarships each year for students from developing countries. The scholarship consists of monthly payments of €750, full insurance coverage, and travel allowance as well as an intensive German language course prior to the programme start. Furthermore, students with children can apply for additional funds to secure their living expenses. Please note that as an EPOS scholarship holder you can only start the programme in the winter term (October) of each year and applications are only possible from October 1 through November 15 of the previous year:

• DAAD EPOS Scholarship - Overview