Master of Arts in Development Management Ruhr-Universität Bochum

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The aim of the 18-month MA in Development Management is the training of professionals to meet the increasing need for experts in programme and project management that has emerged in international development cooperation.

The course gives the student a solid theoretical background and introduces the necessary tools for dealing with the practical problems of managing development programmes and projects. Elements of the curriculum are an introduction to relevant theories in social science and economics, methods of empirical social research, project cycle management, and the application of theoretical and methodological knowledge.

During the first semester, an interdisciplinary introduction to relevant theories and strategies of development, mainly from the economic and social science perspective, is given. Attention is also given to methods of empirical research.

The second semester further substantiates the knowledge about developmental topics, focusing in particular on different methods of programme and project planning, implementation, and evaluation.

During the third semester, students concentrate on finalising their Master's thesis.

For their Master's thesis projects, students, in consultation with their mentor, identify a research problem related to a development programme or project as a starting point during the first semester. During the second semester, the topic is addressed from a theoretical perspective in a seminar paper which is also aimed at preparing the student for the empirical research carried out after that semester. The final thesis is designed to demonstrate the student's ability to embed their research in the scientific debate and to communicate it in a clear and coherent way.

Applicants for DAAD EPOS scholarships (young professionals from developing countries only): 30 September 2025 at the university, other applicants: 31 December 2025

In principle, there are no tuition fees at RUB. However, there are a few exceptions. Therefore, please inform yourself in advance about any additional costs for the degree programme you are interested in.

The programme is organised as a mixture of coursework and research work.

During their first semester, students are given a multidisciplinary intro­duction to relevant theories and strategies of development. They learn about actors in international development cooperation and the role of institutions for development and are faced with relevant case studies. Furthermore, students select a research problem related to a development programme or project as the starting point for their own research project (Master's thesis). This project is preferably related to their home country.

After the first semester, students can undertake a three-month internship in Germany in a development organisation or a corporation in the private sector.

Based on acquired knowledge of relevant theories and tendencies in international development cooperation, the second semester is taken up with learning about the variety of methods of programme and project planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students are required to apply their knowledge to case studies related to the programme or project chosen in the first semester and to present the results in a seminar paper.

After the second semester, students undertake field research on projects and programmes in international development cooperation in developing countries. This will form the empirical basis of their Master's thesis project.

In the third semester, students concentrate on writing their thesis which has to contain theory, methodology, and the results of the fieldwork. The thesis is designed to demonstrate the student's ability to embed the research in the scientific debate and to communicate it in a clear and cohe­rent way.

Field research for Master's thesis abroad (mainly in home countries of participants)

After the first semester, students will have the opportunity of a three-month internship in a German development agency or private sector corporation involved in fields relevant to the programme.

Varied

In principle, there are no tuition fees at RUB. However, there are a few exceptions. Therefore, please inform yourself in advance about any additional costs for the degree programme you are interested in.

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 330 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

• Above-average (upper second or equivalent) BA or relevant degree in political science, social science, law, economics, human geography, or in other subjects related to planning and evaluation of development programmes and projects
• Practical experience related to the management of development programmes and projects

English minimum requirements: TOEFL: 79-80 points internet-based (equivalent to 213 points computer-based or 550 paper-based) or IELTS: band 6

Applicants for DAAD EPOS scholarships (young professionals from developing countries only): 30 September 2025 at the university, other applicants: 31 December 2025

Students with outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum's (RUB) Scholarship Fund “Deutschlandstipendium”: http://www.rub.de/bildungsfonds/info-studierende/en/index_en.html.

International students with good to very good academic performance who need financial support during the final phase of study can receive a graduation grant of 500 EUR per month for six months from the International Office at RUB: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/graduation-grant-international-students. Students can apply for a PROMOS scholarship at RUB for the Master's thesis field research abroad: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/promos-thesis.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 350 to 600 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, students have their own single room and share a kitchen and bathroom with other students, they rent an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or they share an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.