Master of International and Development Economics (MIDE) HTW Berlin University of Applied Sciences

HTW Berlin, the largest university of applied sciences in Berlin, offers an 18-month full-time Master's degree programme in "International and Development Economics" (MIDE), taught entirely in English. Designed for students from developing and transition countries as well as from Europe and other developed countries with a special interest in the economic challenges facing countries in the Global South, the programme prepares students to work in areas related to global economic affairs and development.
The Master's programme in International and Development Economics has been established for students who have a first degree in economics/business administration or in other social sciences with a focus on economics. It is designed to enhance understanding of development economics, the international economic context in which socio-economic development takes place, and of key sectors and policy areas that are relevant for developing countries, with a particular focus on financial institutions, environmental issues and public enterprises. In order to understand the challenges of formulating current development policies, the programme covers both the principal theoretical debates as well as specific contemporary examples of strategies, policies, and projects.

The programme comprises three semesters consisting of 14 course modules, including a project and dissertation period of six months. Six courses are compulsory (marked*). Additionally, five elective modules, as well as two supplementary modules must be taken.

First Semester:

• Microeconomics and Development*
• Macroeconomics and Development*
• International Economics for the 21st Century*
• Theories of Development*
• Norms, Institutions and Social Progress
• Germany's External Relations
• Research Methods in Social Sciences
• Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

Second Semester:

• Development Policies and Research Colloquium*
• Public Finance for Development*
• Social Protection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
• Topical Issues of International and Development Economics
• Central Banking
• Financial Systems Development
• Regional Integration
• The State in Business
• Environmental and Resource Economics
• Development Cooperation
• Econometrics
• Advanced Applied Research Methods
• Current Issues in Global Development
• Development Cooperation in Practice 
• Institutions and Development 
• ...

Third Semester:

• One elective (see list of modules of the second semester )
• Master's thesis seminar*
• Master's thesis (13 weeks)*

Further information: https://mide.htw-berlin.de

An internship is not required. However, if students wish to do an internship during semester breaks, before writing their Master's thesis, it will be supported by the programme.

With DAAD scholarship: 1 July – 31 August
For self-funded studies: 1 July – 30 September

• Bachelor's degree*
• Proficiency in English

*The first degree must be equivalent to a three-year German Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS).

Applicants with three years of study (180 ECTS) or the equivalent either must study an additional 30 ECTS at the university or prove that they have completed at least six months professional employment or training since graduating. Applicants with an equivalent of three and a half or more years (210 ECTS) of study do not need to prove professional experience or take additional modules.

Applicants for a DAAD scholarship must come from a developing country and have at least two years of professional experience since graduation, but should not have graduated more than six years ago.

360 EUR (subject to changes)

Approx. 900 to 1,000 EUR monthly.

Please note that the German Embassy will usually ask visa applicants to open a blocked account ("Sperrkonto") as proof that a student has the financial means to cover the living expenses. 

Applicants must pay a minimum amount as required by law into the blocked account, usually for the first 12 months of the intended stay.

This "blocked amount" that visa applicants need to deposit in the account will remain blocked until the account holder arrives in Germany. A blocked account is not freely accessible to the account holder upon opening of the account, as there are limitations on the amount that can be withdrawn or transferred by the account holders within a defined period of time.

Required amount for the blocked account: 11,208 EUR (as of April 2025).

International students are permitted to work 140 full days or 280 half days per year on a student visa. During the semester (April to July and October to February), we would advise students to concentrate on their studies as the programme is very intensive and will take up most of their time.
In the semester holidays (August, September, and March) there are normally no lectures or seminars. Students may wish to work during these periods.

Residence halls of the "Studentenwerk Berlin" are within three-minute walking distance from the university.
Students may also wish to consider looking for a room in a shared apartment ("Wohngemeinschaft" or "WG" for short), which is how many German students live during their studies.