MA in Development Management (MADM)

Since 2000, the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy offers the international Master Programme in Development Management at the Ruhr-University in Bochum. From the very beginning, the MADM has been part of the DAAD funded Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS).

The programme is designed for professionals from all over the world with a first university degree in a relevant discipline and first practical experience with relevance to development management who need advanced academic training to qualify for positions as experts in planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of development programmes and projects.

KEY FACTS

Master of Arts
4^th Accreditation 2021 - 2029
by German Accreditation Council

90 Credit Points (CP)
according to the
European Credit Transfer System
(ECTS)

3 Semesters

Ruhr University Bochum
(since 2000)

University of the Western Cape
(2002-2023)

Application deadline
for the 2024 intake expired.
The application period for the
2026 intake will open in January 2025

Next Programme Start
RUB September 2024

THE MADM AT RUHR UNIVERSITY BOCHUM

The MADM is a 3 semester full-time degree programme taught in English. It starts every other year with the next intake in September 2024.

The programme combines coursework related to relevant theories in social science and economics, methods of empirical social research and project cycle management with practical application of theoretical and methodological knowledge through student led research projects, a simulation game, and the opportunity to complete an internship period. An intercultural training seminar and further optional training offers complement the programme. International participants have the opportunity to take part in German language classes (a preparatory language class starting in July is mandatory for DAAD EPOS scholarship holders).

Between 2002 and 2023, the MADM has also been offered at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa, first as part of the DAAD initiative “German Programmes of Study Abroad” and since 2008 as part of the DAAD funded South African – German Centre for Development Research.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

madm structure picture

First Semester

With a focus on coursework, the 1^st semester offers an interdisciplinary introduction to relevant theories and strategies of development and to methods of empirical social research. Students are also guided in the selection and specification of their own small research project which later forms the subject of their master's thesis. After the first semester a two months internship period in a development organisation or relevant corporation in the private sector can be completed.

Second Semester

While coursework during the 2^nd semester concentrates on methods for programme and project planning, management, and evaluation students further develop their own research project and submit a seminar paper by the end of the semester. This seminar paper serves as preparation for a field research period, which takes place after the second semester. During this period, students typically collect primary data, which forms the empirical base of the subsequent master's thesis.

Third Semester

During the 3^rd semester, students concentrate on writing up their thesis which has to contain theory, methodology, and the results of the fieldwork. The writing process is accompanied by selected trainings relevant for completion of the thesis or for preparation for the labour market.

HOW TO APPLY

Application deadlines

The application deadline for the intake 2024-26 has expired. Applications for the intake thereafter will be accepted from January 2025 onwards.

Application deadlines for the 2026-28 intake of the MA in Development Management are:

30 September 2025 for candidates who wish to apply for a DAAD-EPOS scholarship,
31 December 2025 for all other candidates.

Applications have to be submitted directly to the university via an online application platform. Respective details will be provided at the start of the application period.

Who can apply

The MADM is an interdisciplinary course of study designed for students from all over the world who desire a career in international cooperation and development cooperation. Entry requirements are:

BA or degree (or equivalent) in political science, social science, law, economics or geography or in other subjects related to the planning and evaluation of development programmes and projects with a mark of at least "second class, upper division" or its equivalent
Certified experience related to the management of development programs and projects, either practical work experience of more than four weeks or academic experience in research and teaching at an institution of higher education. DAAD-EPOS scholarship candidates have to prove at least two years' career experience in a relevant field; preference is given to candidates whose employers offer a reintegration guarantee.
Minimum certified proficiency in written and spoken English: TOEFL (79-80 iBT) or IELTS (Band 6.0)

Please refer to the Examination Regulations of the MA in Development Management avaliable in the download section for further details.

Required documents

Personally signed letter of application describing the motivation of your application.
DAAD-EPOS candidates applying for more than one DAAD-EPOS postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses) have to submit the same motivation letter to all programmes explaining their choice of courses and prioritisation.
A Curriculum Vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (please use the Europass CV tool).
Higher education degree certificate(s) and full transcript(s) of records, including an explanation of the grading system of all previous studies. Certified translations are required if original documents are not available in English or German.
School leaving certificate that shows all single marks and entitles the candidate to study at a recognized institution of higher education in the home country.
Language certificate(s) as proof of the level of proficiency in English (IELTS or TOEFL, institutional TOEFL not accepted) and (if applicable) German at the time of the application.
Evidence of current and former employment or any other relevant practical experience. At least evidence for the last two years of professional career shall be provided.
DAAD-EPOS candidates need to submit certificate(s) of employment from the employer(s) showing at least two years of relevant work experience after the Bachelor's degree.The certificate of employment from the current employer should, if possible, include a guarantee of re-employment after returning to the home country.
Two recommendation letters of current date, one academic and one professional, both including the official letterhead of the institution, the signature of the referee, and the official stamp.
DAAD-EPOS candidates must submit one recommendation letter of their current employer.
Copy of passport or identity card.
Passport size photo.
DAAD-EPOS candidates need to submit the following additional documents:
- Completed and signed DAAD checklist
- Completed DAAD application form.

Please take care of a good readability of all submitted documents and label the files according to their category (e.g. "letter of motivation", "CV", "academic letter of recommendation", etc.).

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. It is the applicant's responsibility to check that the application is complete!

DAAD-EPOS candidates shall consult the relevant DAAD website for latest information on the DAAD application requirements and procedure.

FINANCING OPTIONS

DAAD-EPOS Scholarships

Since its founding in 2000, the MADM programme is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) within the DAAD programme "Development Related Postgraduate Courses" (Entwicklungsbezogene Postgraduiertenstudiengänge, EPOS). Each intake, a limited number of DAAD-EPOS scholarships is available for excellent MADM participants from countries of the Global South. MADM candidates interested to apply for such a DAAD-EPOS scholarship should check their eligibility and further details regarding requirements and application procedure via the DAAD website.

For further information, also consult the section "HOW TO APPLY".

Other scholarship options

Apart from DAAD, other organisations in Germany also provide support opportunities for foreign members of institutions of higher education. The DAAD scholarship database offers information not only on various kinds of DAAD funding for foreign students, graduates and postdocs but also on funding offered by other selected organisations.

Applicants are requested to contact relevant institutions directly for further information but keep us informed about any scholarship applications.

Self-financing applicants

A good source of information to estimate costs of studying and living in Germany is provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Additional information is provided by the International Office of Ruhr University Bochum.

For specific activities, self-financing students of the MADM can benefit from the programme's support options or university funding schemes. Among others, funding for the field research period can be applied for via the PROMOS programme .

Network

UA RUHR Graduate Centre for Development Studies

Under the umbrella of the UA RUHR Graduate Centre for Development Studies, the MA in Development Management collaborates with the Institute of Political Science (IfP) and the Institute for Development and Peace (INEF), University Duisburg-Essen. MA students directly benefit from Centre activities through access to lectures & seminars of the MA programme in Development and Governance, supported by DAAD as part of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme.

German Association of Postgraduate Programmes with special Relevance to Developing Countries (AGEP)

The MADM programme is a member of the German Association of Postgraduate Programmes with special Relevance to Developing Countries (AGEP), an umbrella organization comprising more than 40 postgraduate study programmes oriented to countries of the global south. Students can directly benefit from the network via diverse complementary training offers.

agep logo

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF MADM APPLICANTS

What is the language of instructions of the MADM programme

The complete master programme in Bochum is in English.

What is the study duration?

Can I study the MADM programme as a distant learner?

What is a school-leaving certificate?

How do I provide evidence of employment?

What are the requirements for the English proficiency proof?

What are the student fees for the MADM programme?

Please note that the University of Bochum does not charge tuition fees but a registration fee, which is currently about Euro 362 per semester and includes the right to use public transport facilities within the whole Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW SemesterTicket). Additional costs may arise from travelling to and from Germany twice, as there is a field research period included in the programme.

I want to apply for a DAAD scholarship. Do I need to submit any separate application?

Do you offer scholarships for international students?

How do I open a bank account?

What are the living costs?

How much does the accommodation cost?

Is food included in the price of accommodation and where can I eat in the university?

How do I get my accomodation?

There are a number of student dorms around the university. You will also get a check list of organisational issues after being admitted which includes different options for the arrangement of accommodation. Our staff will assist you on request, but you can also apply for accommodation yourself online. See AKAFÖ for details.

Flat shares (“Wohngemeinschaften”, acronym “WG”) are a very common way for German students to find housing at affordable prices. Be aware that in most cases you need to be in the city in order to present yourself to your future flatmates. This guide can help you find your way through private house-hunting in Bochum.

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 must 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.

How much does the accomodation cost?

How do I register at the Residents' Registration Office?

How do I get to Bochum University?

The nearest airport to Bochum is Düsseldorf. It is linked by rail to Bochum Main Station (“Hauptbahnhof”). You can take a regional train by buying a ticket from the fare zone D (Euro 16,50) through the VRR App, at the ticket machines or in the Deutsche Bahn Service Centre. The train ride takes around 40 minutes. If you arrive at the airport in Frankfurt, you can buy an ICE-ticket with Deutsche Bahn to get to Bochum. The train ride takes around two hours. Arriving in Bochum, 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.

Where can I find a map of the University?

Where can I find out more about the city of Bochum?

What does the Ruhr-University Bochum offer for international students?