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01. How do I apply to the Master Course?
02. Do you offer online courses?
03. What is the study duration?
04. Are there any deadlines for application?
05. What are the admission criteria ?
06. Do you offer any scholarships for international students?
07. How do I contact students of the same nationality?
08. Are there any study fees?
09. How do I pay my fees?
10. How do I open a bank account?
11. When do I enrol?
12. What are the living costs?
13. How do I get to Bochum University?
14. Where can I find a map of the University?
15. Where can I find out more about the city of Bochum?
16. How do I get my accommodation?
17. Can I change my accommodation if I do not like the offered one?
18. How much does accommodation cost?
19. Is food included in the price of accommodation?
20. How do I get access to the library?
21. How can I get my email address?
22. What are the language requirements?
23. How do I register at the Residents' Registration Office?
24. How do I join sports or social clubs?
25. Are there any German language classes?

02. Do you offer online courses?
No.

03. What is the study duration?
The Master's course is one and a half years in length (three semesters : two semesters of tutorials and one semester of field research in a developing country and writing of the master's thesis).

04. Are there any deadlines for application?
The application deadline for DAAD-scholarships within the DAAD program "postgraduate courses with relevance to developing countries" is October, 15th 2009 at the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy. It is recommended to submit your DAAD application via the DAAD office or German Embassy in your country but please note that the deadline for submission there is usually during August. For the exact date you should contact the embassy or DAAD office. Your documents will be forwarded to us via the DAAD head-office in Bonn, Germany.
The application deadline for students who are planning on apply for scholarships from other donor organizations individually as well as for self financing students is December 31st 2009 at the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy.

05. What are the Admission Criteria?
You must have a B.A. or relevant degree in political science, social science, law, economics or human geography or another subject related to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects and practical experience in a relevant field (at least two years career experience for DAAD-scholarship applicants; at least a relevant internship for other applicants); preference is given to candidates whose employers offer a reintegration guarantee.

06 Do you offer any scholarships for international students?

Please see Financial Issues and our scholarship information.

07. How do I contact students of the study program / of my nationality?
Look at our IEE Regional Representative section, which is at the moment under construction. You can however, look at our "AlumnIEE World" to get an overview of what previous students have done.

You can also contact the student council (Fachschaft) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of the MADM to find out if there are students from your country participating in the current intake.

08. Do I have to pay any study fees?
The University of Bochum generally charges a tuition fee of Euro 480 per semester. DAAD scholarship holders are generally exempted from these fees and international students in general can get a fee waiver based on there qualification and performance.Apart from the tuition fees the university charges a registration fee which is around Euro 225 per semester and includes the right to use public transport facilities (SemesterTicket).

09. How do I pay my study fees?
During the first semester you have to pay the fees within the period of enrolling. This period will be announced on time. After the first semester, the fees have to be paid within the re-registration period. Usually this period is at the end of the previous semester, it will be announced on time. You can  transfer the fees, pay it in cash at the bank or give the University permission to debit the money directly from your account.

10. How do I open a bank account?
In order to participate in the cash-free transfer of money to pay for rent, health insurance and similar things you must have your own personal account. To open the bank account you will need: your passport and residence permit, letter of acceptance from the university and your address in Germany. There is a branch of Sparkasse situated in the Uni Center. You can also choose any other bank like e.g. Volksbank or Deutsche Bank, but Sparkasse has the most local branches in Germany.

11. When do I enroll?
You need to register with the University within the period indicated on your Letter of Admission. You have to enroll personally at the Studiensekretariat. After registration you have to pay the tuition fee of 480 Euros if applicable and the registration fee of about 225 Euros. The registration fee has to be paid by all students and is charged each semester. It is a general fee towards the cost of running the cafeterias and student's dormitories and offers a number of other services free of charge (for example ticket for free public transport in the Bochum area.

12. What are the living costs?
Approximately 750 Euros per month are sufficient for living (including rent for accommodation, health insurance and expenses for food, books and excursions).

13. How do I get to Bochum University?
The nearest airport is Düsseldorf. It is linked by rail to Bochum Main Station (the cheapest is S1/S21). Frequent subway services operate between Bochum Main Station and Ruhr University (line U35). Take the direction Hustadt and you will arrive at the Ruhr University.

14. Where can I find a map of the University?
http://www.rub.de/lage/lageplan.htm

15. Where can I find out more about the city of Bochum?
A lot of information can be found on www.bochum.de

16. How do I get my accommodation?
There are a number of student dorms around the university. You will also get a check list of organizational issues after being admitted, which includes different options for the arrangement of accommodation. This means that our staff will assist you on request, but you can also apply for accommodation yourself online. See http://www.akafoe.de/wohnen/index-lang-en.html for details.

17. Can I change my accommodation if I do not like the offered one?
You can change your accommodation after the expiration date of your contract. In the meantime you can apply for a new accommodation at AKAFÖ or a private hostel. But have in mind that there is a waiting list and that you have to wait about six months from the date you have applied. Most hostels offer semester contracts. Depending on your contract you have to inform the administration of the hostel 1-3 months in advance in writing that you would like to cancel the contract.

18. How much does the accommodation cost?
The price of accommodation is 150-300 Euros per month, depending on the hostel and the size of the room.

19. Is food included in the price of accommodation?
No, but all accommodations have cooking facilities. There is the possibility to eat in the University cafeteria ('Mensa'). The price of a meal is about 1.80-3.50 Euros (Monday to Friday). Bear in mind that most shops are closed on Sunday.

20. How do I get access to the library?
As soon as you have enrolled, you get your student card which you should carry with you at all times. This card will give you access to the main university library. Some departments and most institutes also have their own libraries (some institute libraries do not lend out books, but you can make copies or read inside the library). Another possibility is to borrow books from the library of the Fachhochschule which is very close to the university.

21. How can I get my email address?
With your matriculation you will get you own email address at the RUB. You have to start www.mail.rub.de in case you want to change the password.

22. What are language requirements?
Our course language is English, so we expect proven knowledge of the English language. The minimum certified proficiency in written and spoken English for applicants not coming from countries where English is one of the official languages is the following: TOEFL: 79-80 points internet based (equivalent to 213 points computer based or 550 paper based) or IELTS: band 6.
For applicants coming from a country with English as one of the official languages the proven record of having English classes since the secondary school period is obligatory.

23. How do I register at the Residents' Registration Office?
All international students are required to register with the Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) and apply for the residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde). Students, who are required to have a student visa, have to extend the visa issued in their home country (normally valid for three months) into a one year residence permit.
FIRST go to Einwohnermeldeamt and THEN go to Ausländerbehörde.
Please also see the Visa regulations

24. How do I join a sports or social club?
The University offers many free sport courses. Ask at 'Asta' for a booklet about the sport courses.

25. Are there any German language classes?
Proven German language proficiency is not a precondition for application. It is nevertheless highly recommended to follow German language classes before you come to Germany. At the beginning of your studies an intensive German language course is offered here in Bochum. Weekly German classes will also be offered during the whole duration of your studies. Participation is mandatory for all scholarship holders with only basic German language proficiency but is highly recommended for all international participants who are beginners in the German language as German proficiency is not only helpful for daily living pruposes but also essential for the arrangement of an internship in Germany which is part of your studies.