Develop sustainable projects using an interdisciplinary approach and an international perspective. Your degree programme combines business, politics and project management – with a practical and forward-looking focus.
At a glance
Master of Arts
Full-time
3 semesters
Restricted
Kleve
English
1 September
1 March
Why study Sustainable Development Management, MA at Rhine-Waal?
What makes this degree programme so special?
Paula Cagnolatti Chiavarino on the Sustainable Development Management degree programme
Career opportunities and prospects: Alumni share their experiences
Programme structure and content
Graduates of the Master’s degree programme in Sustainable Development Management at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences are highly sought-after professionals who are in demand at various institutions working in the field of technical and financial development cooperation. As the Master’s degree programme focuses on project management methods, our students are also of interest to a wide range of private companies. They are able to pursue a broad range of careers in the following sectors:
- Public institutions: governments and ministries in developing countries (e.g. ministries of finance, industrial policy, rural development, education, etc.), as well as development banks,
- Multilateral development institutions such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and international and national NGOs (such as Oxfam International or the International Red Cross),
- Private sector: in the fields of consulting and engineering (at companies such as ICON Consulting Group, GFA Group or Lahmeyer International GmbH),
- Academic progression: Our graduates also meet the criteria for admission to PhD programmes, such as the international doctoral programme at the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, as well as to international postgraduate programmes, including the Postgraduate Programme for Sustainability Cooperation (PGP) at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
Semesters 1–3: Foundations of Economics and Political Science, Skills Development, Advanced Specialisation
- Fundamentals of Economics and Political Science: You will learn the key theories, models and methods needed to understand economic and political interrelationships.
- Skills development: Training in project management, quantitative methods, R software, teamwork, analytical thinking and presentation techniques.
- Advanced specialisation: Choose from a range of compulsory elective modules to gain in-depth knowledge in areas such as diversity management, behavioural economics, social entrepreneurship, natural resources or gender and development
3rd semester: Master's thesis & Colloquium
- Independent academic or practice-oriented research on a sustainability-related topic of your choice
Recommended study path
The Master’s in Sustainable Development Management (M.A.) is aimed at students with an interest in sustainability, global interdependence and social responsibility. It is particularly suitable for graduates in the social sciences, economics, industrial engineering or interdisciplinary degree programmes with a focus on economics or the social sciences. Analytical skills and a basic knowledge of quantitative methods are required in order to analyse complex issues thoroughly and develop sustainable projects on a sound academic basis.
Global Minds, Local Impact – Developing the leaders of tomorrow
The AGEP (Working Group of Postgraduate Programmes with Particular Relevance for Developing Countries) is an association of over 50 German postgraduate programmes in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, regional studies, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences, economics and human medicine. What unites these programmes is their shared mission to promote sustainable development in the participants’ home countries and to train students to become change agents in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), selected participants from developing countries are offered scholarships for these programmes. This opportunity enables them to participate in high-quality research projects, benefit from the research infrastructure, expertise and resources of German universities and research institutions, and foster intercultural exchange and collaboration between researchers from different countries. This can lead to a deeper understanding of global research issues.
After graduation, former programme participants often work within international networks to address country- or region-specific challenges. The aim of the EPOS programme and the AGEP network programmes is to improve graduates’ career prospects and enable them to initiate and support development processes in their home countries more effectively.
Application process
This degree programme has restricted admission. This means that there are only a limited number of places available. If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, a selection process will take place. Places are allocated in accordance with the regulations of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Following the selection process, you will receive either:
- a letter of admission or
- a letter of rejection.
If you are offered a place, you must enrol at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences within the specified deadline (you will find instructions on how to do this in the letter of admission, which you can download from the university’s application portal). Only then is your place on the course secured.
Admission letters for degree programmes with restricted admission are usually sent out at the beginning of August.
Nummerus Clausus (NC)
For some degree programmes, admission is only possible with a specific (subject) A-level mark (Nummerus Clausus). The NC is set anew each year; figures from previous years serve as a guide.
Waiting list procedure
Sometimes, admitted applicants do not take up their place. In this case, the vacant places are allocated through the waiting list procedure.
This procedure usually begins in late August or early September. If you have applied by the deadline, you will automatically be included in the process.
Lottery
If places are still available after this, a lottery may also take place. The lottery procedure is used to allocate study places that remain available after the regular allocation process has been completed. Interested applicants can register for the lottery procedure via the university’s application portal by 1 September; places are then allocated by random selection from among all valid applications.
First, register on hochschulstart.de. There, you will be given an applicant ID (BID) and an applicant authentication number (BAN).
You can then use these details to apply via Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences’ Application portal.
First, register on hochschulstart.de. There, you will be given an applicant ID (BID) and an applicant authentication number (BAN).
You can then use these details to apply via uni-assist.
FAQ
To be eligible for our programme, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area. Relevant degrees include economics or the core social sciences as understood in the German academic context, primarily sociology and political science. Eligible fields of study also include regional economics, business administration, interdisciplinary programmes with a focus on economics or core social sciences, and industrial engineering with a focus on business administration.
In addition, the Examination Board may also assess whether other Bachelor’s degrees related to sustainability are suitable, provided the degree has a focus on core social sciences. Unfortunately, it is not possible to assess your degree in advance. The legally binding assessment of international degrees is carried out via Uni-Assist. Only Bachelor’s degrees are considered; Master’s degrees or professional experience are not taken into account.
Further requirements for our degree programme are valid proof of English language proficiency at level B2 according to the CEFR, as well as a cumulative grade point average (cumGPA) of 2.5 at Bachelor’s level. All international applicants must provide us with an English language certificate, even if they have already studied in English.
All international applicants must provide us with an English language certificate, even if they have previously studied in English. A simple statement in the form of a letter will not be accepted. Please also refer to the list of recognised certificates
The language certificate must be valid at the time of application (i.e. no more than two years old).
Questions und Contact
If you have any questions regarding the organisation of the Degree programme, support throughout your studies or subject-specific academic advice:
Your Sustainable Development Management M.A. team
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