MA Development Economics and International Studies (DEIS) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)

About

The â€œMaster of Arts in Development Economics and International Studiesâ€ (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 the statistical software Stata. Each year, a group of about 20-25 students enrols in the programme with 50%â€“70% of the students coming from abroad. The language of instruction is English. The DEIS course of study has four 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 Economics I + II: These modules offer an introduction to the theory and policy of international trade, and they introduce students to empirical work in this field. 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 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 modulesÂ 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/

Requirements

Entry Requirements

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 isÂ 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