MA Development Economics and International Studies (DEIS) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

English (100%)

The “Master of Arts in Development Economics and International Studies” (MA DEIS) is an economics-centred programme designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of students planning to work or seek leadership responsibilities in public, non-profit, and private sector organisations for international cooperation and development. It is also aimed at students intending to work at the intersection between research and practice and at those pursuing an academic career in study-related subjects.

It is a two-year (four-semester) programme and includes rigorous training in analytical as well as qualitative and quantitative methods. In particular, with the increasing availability of micro data and the importance of evidence-based policy-making, students learn how to do applied empirical work, with a special emphasis on impact evaluations (using both experimental methods, such as randomised field experiments, and quasi-experimental methods). As part of this training, students will become acquainted with Stata, a statistical software.

Each year, a group of about 20 to 25 students enrols in the programme with 60% to 80% of the students coming from abroad. The language of instruction is English.

The DEIS course of study has three required core module pairs. These are designed to provide students with rigorous academic training. Each of these module pairs is taught over the course of two consecutive semesters, and they are compulsory for all students:

Research Methods I + II: These modules introduce students to quantitative methods that are used in economics to empirically test theories and to evaluate the impact of policies. Students also learn to work with Stata statistical software.

Development Economics I + II: These modules give an introduction to the economics of developing countries. A significant part of the modules is devoted to discussing empirical work, such as impact evaluations of programmes run by state and non-state actors in developing countries.

International Business Ethics I + II: These modules introduce students to the theory and concepts of business ethics as well as to a series of ethical challenges currently facing the corporate world by taking an international and inter-cultural perspective of analysis and problem solving.

Additionally, students in the DEIS programme take at least two international economics modules, such as Issues in International Political Economy, International Trade and Labour, International Finance, Foundations of International Management, and Managing Intercultural Relations, as well as at least two regional modules, such as Political Economy of the Middle East, Social Health Protection in South and East Asia, and Business and Society in Latin America. There is a choice of various elective modules and (ungraded) complementary elective modules, such as language courses, available. Students may also earn up to 10 ECTS for completing an internship related to the programme.

Further information can be found here: https://www.madeis.study.fau.eu/.

EU / non-EU applicants: 31 May

The DEIS programme requires the completion of:

• Three core module pairs (30 ECTS)
• Two international economics modules  (10 ECTS)
• Two regional modules (10 ECTS)
• Elective modules (20 ECTS)
• Complementary elective modules (20 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)

By completing both parts of a core module pair, students receive 10 ECTS credits. Elective courses may have different ECTS credits depending on the workload (usually 5 ECTS).

Students are expected to acquire on average 30 ECTS in each semester. In their first semester, students are expected to attend the Statistics Refresher course (2.5 ECTS), the course Introduction to Stata (2.5 ECTS), and the core modules Development Economics I and Research Methods I (10 ECTS in total).

During their second semester, students are expected to attend the core modules Development Economics II, Research Methods II, and International Business Ethics I (15 ECTS in total).

During their third semester, students are expected to attend International Business Ethics II (5 ECTS), leaving plenty of room for international economics, regional, elective, and elective complementary modules.

The fourth semester is reserved for the Master’s thesis.

Further information can be found here: https://www.madeis.study.fau.eu/.

Students are encouraged to spend their third semester abroad at one of our partner universities. We currently have exchange programmes running with universities in South Africa, Ghana, Mexico, Peru, Chile, South Korea, China, Russia, India, Ukraine, France, Turkey, Egypt, and Iraq, among others.

Students are encouraged to complete an internship related to the content of the programme, for example at a development aid agency. Students can earn up to 10 ECTS for such internships.

No tuition fees

FAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay a fee for student services (72 EUR).

• Applicants must have a qualified degree (Bachelor's, "Diplom", or equivalent) in economics or a related field. Applicants should have 70 ECTS in economics/management including at least basic knowledge of (a minimum of 5 ECTS each in) microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics/econometrics.
• Grade point average of 2.5 or better (in the German marking system) in the undergraduate programme
• Proof of English language skills (C1 or higher), see below

Additionally, applicants will be asked to submit the following documents:

• A letter of application in English, no more than two pages in length, in which the applicant explains why he/she is qualified for admission to the degree programme
• If available: proof of qualified practical experience in the field of development economics as well as a description of the practical experience written in English by the applicant (description of tasks and responsibilities), one page in length

One of the following (or an equivalent test result):

• TOEFL–iBT: 95 or above / CBT: 240 or above / PBT: 587 or above / ITP: 627 or above
  The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) is valid for two years after the test date. The Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg institution code for ordering your official TOEFL test score from ETS is 8265. There is no department code; this can be left blank. Applicants can order their score reports through their test taker profiles by indicating Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, institution code 8265. The Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg verifies the TOEFL results in the online verification system provided by ETS.
  The Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg accepts MyBest™ scores for the TOEFL iBT® test in addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date. Additional information about how to prepare for the test, where to find the nearest test centre, and many other resources can be found at: www.toeflgoanywhere.org
• IELTS: C1 / 7.0 or above, minimum of 6.0 in each section
  Please mention your "Test Report Form" (TRF) number which is printed on the paper Test Report Form.
• UNIcert® III
• TOEIC: 945 or above
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) / Business English Certificate (BEC) Higher
  Please provide us with your unique "candidate’s ID number" and your "candidate’s secret number". By sharing this information, the candidate gives permission to verify the result.
• telc English C1
• CEFR: C1

EU / non-EU applicants: 31 May

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 40,996 students and 276 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently go beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

FAU is based in three cities – Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.