01. How do I apply to the Master Course?

Please see our section "How to apply".

02. Do you offer any scholarships for international students?

Please check the brochure Financial Needs (downloadable in the right column) and our scholarship information.

03. What is the study duration?

The Master's course is one and a half years in length (three semesters: two semesters of course work and one semester of field research in a developing country and writing of the master's thesis). The course starts every other year (in even years).

04. Are there any application deadlines?

The next application deadline for DAAD-EPOS-scholarships will be on 30th of September 2023. Please refer to the scholarship section for further details.

The application deadline for students who are planning to apply for the 2024-26 intake as self-financing students or being equipped with a scholarship of another donor organisations will be on 31st of December 2023.

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 programmes 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. Further details are provided in our section "Who can apply".

06. Do I need to apply for a visa to enter Germany?

The following students do not require a visa to enter Germany; they only have to present a valid travel document (usually in form of a passport):

• citizens of countries belonging to the European Union/EU or the European Economic Area/EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway);
• citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA;
• citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino – provided that they do not want to engage in gainful employment before and after their studies.

Students from any other countries than those mentioned above need a visa to enter Germany. The responsibility for issuing visas lies with the embassies and consulates-general of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad. Please also keep in mind that usually visa fees are charged (depending on your country of origin).

07. How do I contact students of the study programme / of my nationality?

You can look at our Alumni section to get an overview of what previous students have done.

You can also contact the student council (Fachschaft) at This email 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?

Please note that the University of Bochum does not charge tuition fees but a registration fee which is currently 341,08 Euros per semester. The registration fee must 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. It 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 MADM programme.

09. How do I pay my study fees and what is the so-called “Semesterticket”?

During the first semester you have to pay the fees within the period of enrolling. This period will be announced in 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 also be announced in 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.

The semester fee, which all RUB students must pay, also includes the cost of two tickets: 1. the public transport in the Ruhr area (VRR) and 2. the regional transport of the Deutsche Bahn in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). In summary, both offers are referred to as the “Semesterticket”. The semester ticket includes the use of all buses, subways, trams, suburban trains, and local trains. ICE and IC, as well as first-class seats, cannot be used. With the semester ticket, RUB students in the VVR area can furthermore take one person free of charge on public transport from 7 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and on public holidays. A bicycle can also be carried free of charge throughout the day. The semester ticket is valid from 1 April to 30 September for the summer semester and from 1 October to 31 March for the winter semester and is valid in conjunction with an official photo ID such as an identity card or passport. The semester ticket is made available as a PDF file via E-Campus which then must be downloaded or printed out.

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. Can I work while studying?

The MADM programme is really time consuming, so working is usually not possible and not recommended. While you should keep in mind that studying is a full-time job, we know that the financial situation might require you to look for jobs to finance your studies. The pursuit of employment or a part-time job depends on your legal status in Germany. You can find more information about employment alongside your studies according to your specific status here and get more information about your legal status here.

12. 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.

Moreover, we strongly recommend to start learning German before the study programme. This will help you to get along in everyday life and may also be an advantage for your internship placement in Germany. Please note that German language courses will also be part of the study programme.

13. Are there any German language classes?

Proven German language proficiency is not a precondition for the application. It is nevertheless highly recommended to attend German language classes before you come to Germany. DAAD EPOS scholarship holders partake at an intensive German language course prior the beginning of the study programme (this language course is usually not offered in Bochum). In addition, 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 purposes but also essential for the arrangement of an internship in Germany which is part of your studies.

14. Do you offer online courses and can I study the MADM programme as a distant learner?

No. All required courses the MA Development Management offers are based at the university. In addition, the IEE uses blended learning techniques for some courses and offers a few complementary sessions online.

15. Which modules do you offer during the MADM programme?

Please check the compendium of modules.

16. How do I get my accommodation and can I change it at a certain point?

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.

17. 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). Please check the brochure “Financial Needs”.

18. How much does the accommodation cost?

The price of accommodation is 200 - 350 Euros per month, depending on the hostel and the size of the room.

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

No, but all accommodations have cooking facilities.

There is the possibility to eat on campus. The University has several cafeterias (e.g. so-called ‘Mensa’ close to the main library and the auditorium maximum), coffee bars (e.g. in the main library), and student restaurants (e.g. the vegan bistro ‘Rote Beete’ and ‘Q-West’, both on main campus). The price of a meal is about 2.20-4.50 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 are 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 (University of Applied Sciences) which is very close to the university.

21. How can I get my RUB email address and students-account?

With your matriculation you will get your own email address and students-account at the RUB.

22. 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 (15,70 €) 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.

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 general information about possible visa regulations at the German embassy of your respective country of origin.

24. Where can I find a map of the University?

Please find a campus map here.

25. When and how do I enrol?

Shortly before arriving in Bochum, the IEE administration team will take care of MADM students’ enrolment (i.e. matriculation). They will get in touch with you in this regard and also provide you with the certificate of enrolment.

26. How do I get health insurance?

Please note, a valid health insurance is mandatory for a stay in Germany. You cannot enrol at a university without proof of health insurance. Proof of insurance is also required to apply for or extend your visa.

Self-financed students and students with another scholarship are usually responsible for their health insurance. The IEE will provide further advice in this regard after admission to the MADM programme. You can already take out a health insurance from your home country. As a student in Germany, you have the option to either have the health insurance of your country of origin recognized in Germany or to insure yourself with a German health insurance company. The latter is the recommended option. Please find more information here.

27. What does the Ruhr-University offer for international students?

There are numerous offers for international students at Ruhr-Universität in Bochum. Please find them here.

28. Where can I find out more about the city of Bochum and what does Bochum offer off-campus?

A lot of information can be found on the website of the City of Bochum. Please also refer to the IEE Welcoming Brochure. The city of Bochum and the surrounding area offer students a wide range of cultural and leisure events and activities. You can find some highlights here.

29. How do I join a sports club?

You can choose from over 70 different sports and almost 200 face-to-face and online courses in RUB’s popular sports programme. Unifit, RUB’s fitness studio with over 1,100 square metres of training space in the city centre, offers all the options for healthy workouts seven days a week. All information about the different sports and training as well as all relevant information with regard to the registration can be found on the website of the university sports. It is important to register on the first day of the registration period. As many people are willing to enrol themselves you might not find a place later. If swimming is what you want, there is a swimming pool around the Uni-Centre. You can also enrol for swimming lessons.

30. I couldn't find my question. What can I do?

If you can't find your question in the FAQ or on our homepage, please check the homepage of the International Office and the IEE Welcoming Brochure. You can also contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.