MIDE Programme

I have been wandering for sometime on what to with my life quiet recently. I was thrash between choosing to go back to school or to continue working. I made a bold decision during the middle of September 2009 to go back to school. The decision, however flimsy, was echoed by the global financial meltdown. The next question was on what to read? I spent some considerable number of weeks on it but I decided to go for the Masters in International and Development Economics (MIDE) in University of Applied Sciences, Berlin. The decision was a very intelligent one since, global financial miracles are happening in developing countries and the opportunity to understand the economics of these countries is a big plus in not only working there but also providing a special interest in the economic challenges facing “Third World”-countries. It will also prepare me to work in areas related to global economic affairs and development.

 As the months pass by, I hope to provide information about my life in Germany, work, study and all important information that I will come in contact with during my studies in Germany and the MIDE programme.

 The programme

 The Master’s 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 agriculture, financial institutions 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.

 MIDE was accredited by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA).

 Promoting sustainable development in an unequal world

 What does ‘globalisation’ really amount to? Does it benefit developing countries, or lead to widening differences between rich and poor?

 Should developing countries completely open up their economies to international trade and capital flows?

 What are the lessons for developing countries of the ‘Asian Miracle’? … the transition debacle in Russia? … or Argentina’s financial crisis?

 What specific policies are required to promote key sectors, such as agriculture, finance and public administration?

Do poverty reduction strategies, as advocated by the World Bank, help the poor or contribute to their problems, as some critics allege?

 These are some of the issues that will be covered in this Master’s programme, which will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the current debates in international and development economics.

Degree accreditation

Degree accreditation

Successful completion of MIDE leads to a Master of Arts degree. The degree is officially accredited by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) for the period from 20 February 2006 to the end of the winter semester 2010/2011. The accreditation qualifies MIDE graduates for entry to the higher branch (‘Höherer Dienst’) of the German Civil Service

Accreditation Certificate (German, PDF 257 KB)

Accreditation Report FIBAA (German, PDF 55 KB)

Scholarships

Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD Homepage) grants a limited number of scholarships covering living expenses (the service fee will be waived). To be eligible to apply for the DAAD scholarship, applicants must be

• from a developing or transition country and
  
• have two or more years of professional experience.

To apply for the scholarship, please download the DAAD application form (Download Application for Research Grants and Study Scholarships, PDF 252 KB). Further information about the scholarship and the necessary prerequisites are available here (PDF 21 KB).
If you wish to apply for a scholarship, please indicate this in your application form for the MIDE programme.
The MIDE application form, the supporting documents as well as the DAAD application form should be sent to

FHTW Berlin
MIDE Admissions
10313 Berlin
Germany

The MIDE office will process the DAAD application for you. The deadline for scholarship applications is 30 September in the year before the MIDE programme starts.

You may also send your scholarship application together with your application for the MIDE programme via the German Embassy in your home country to the DAAD. The DAAD will then forward your application to the MIDE office. Please note that the deadline for applications via the German Embassy is 31 August in the year before the programme starts.

To facilitate processing, we encourage applicants to send their application directly to FHTW Berlin.

Applicants for a scholarship will be selected by the DAAD in co-operation with the FHTW Berlin.

We encourage all applicants who cannot study without a scholarship to explore alternatives to the DAAD scholarship. The MIDE programme normally receives more than 150 scholarship applications for only 5 to 7 available grants. If you want to apply for a scholarship from another organisation, please do so as early as possible (usually at least one year before the MIDE programme starts). The FHTW Berlin does not offer assistance if you wish to apply for a scholarship other than DAAD.

Costs

Service fee

The service fee for the 18-month programme is 2,000 €, payable in two instalments. The first instalment of 1,000 € must be paid by 31 November of the year prior to the start of the programme. The second instalment of 1,000 € is due by 31 August in the year you start the programme.

Semester Fee

In addition to the service fee there is a semester fee of currently 244,00 € (subject to change). The semester fee must be paid before the start of each of the three semesters of the programme. The semester fee for the first semester is due together with the first instalment. This semester fee covers a ticket for all public transport in Berlin, as well as an administrative fee, and contributions to both the Studentenwerk (the organisation which runs student cafeterias and halls of residence throughout Berlin) and ASTA (the student union). Please see the university's webpage for further information regarding this fee.

Living expenses

In addition to the service fee, approximately 650-850 € per month will be necessary to cover your living expenses.

• Accommodation 180,00 € -280,00 €
• Books 100,00 €
• Food 200,00 € - 300,00 €
• Health Insurance 55,00 €
• Cultural Events 100,00 €
• Public Transport Included in Semester Fee

How to apply

How to apply

Applications are due by 30 September for the programme starting in April of the following year.

To apply, applicants must submit the following documents (please do not staple them):

• a completed MIDE Application form (.doc, 130 KB)
  
• a letter of motivation (not less than 1 page in length)
  
• officially certified copies of your university degree(s) and grade transcripts (Please note: It is very important that these copies have their authenticity officially certified by an appropriate person or institution; official translations into English or German should be provided where necessary)
  
• an explanation of the grading system at your previous university
  
• two letters of academic recommendation
  
• your curriculum vitae (résumé)
  
• a copy of your birth certificate or passport or ID card
  
• proof of your English language ability
• two passport photos
  
• a two page summary of your undergraduate/postgraduate thesis (If you were not required to write a thesis during your undergraduate degree, please tick the appropriate box on the MIDE application form. No further documents will be required in this case.)
  
• a proof of at least one year of professional employment since graduation if the first degree is equivalent to a 3 year German Bachelors degree or 180 ECTS
• a proof of at least two years of professional employment since graduation if you wish to apply for the DAAD scholarship

If you have not been required to write a thesis during your undergraduate degree programme, please indicate this on the MIDE application form in the section "Thesis" on page 2. In this case you will not be required to hand in a thesis summary or substitute paper.

Please note that, in accordance with university regulations, we are only able to consider applications that are fully completed, and which are accompanied by all the necessary supporting documentation. Please do not send secondary school certificates, training certificates etc.

Applications sent by fax or email will not be considered.

Please send your application to:

FHTW Berlin
MIDE Admissions
10313 Berlin
Germany

For further information please use our e-mail form to contact us or call
Cindy Gottstein (Course Administrator) phone: +49/30 5019-2867.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Download a brochure with all relevant information about the programme (admission requirements, deadlines, costs, scholarships, job prospects, etc.) here (PDF, 59 KB).

First degree

• Bachelor’s degree or German “Diplom”
  
  Applicants with a degree from Europe: at least 60 ECTS in Economics and Business Administration, thereof at least 15 ECTS in Economics;
  
  International Applicants: at least 12 Economics and Business Administration classes, thereof at least 3 classes in Economics (these must be equivalent to the above mentioned ECTS; the admission committee will decide on the equivalence)
  
  
• Applicants with a degree from Europe: A total of 210 ECTS credit points or equivalent will be required. Applicants with only 180 ECTS credit points or equivalent will be eligible if they have completed at least one year’s professional employment or training since graduating.
• Applicants with a degree from other foreign countries: The degree must be equivalent to at least a 3 year German Bachelors degree (Bachelor degrees from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal and Bhutan are not considered equivalent.) To find out whether your degree is equivalent, please contact mide@fhtw-berlin.de. Applicants must then have completed at least one year's professional employment or training since graduating. In this case, proof of professional employment must be submitted.
  If the degree is equivalent to a 4 year German degree, professional employment or training is not an admission requirement.
  

Proof of English language ability

• TOEFL
  paper-based 580 points
  computer-based 237 points
  internet-based 96 points
  
• IELTS grade 6.0
• CET band 6 (for applicants from the People's Republic of China).
• Native speakers of English are not required to supply proof of their English language ability.
  
• If English was the official language of instruction for your first degree, please supply official proof.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the programme is based on the following criteria:

1. Average grade (35%)
2. Number of Economics subjects taken (25%)
3. Letter of motivation (30%)
4. Letters of Reference (10%)

Applicants from the PR of China

You should submit a certificate from the Akademische Prüfstelle der Deutschen Botschaft (APS), Chaoyang District, Dongsanhuan Beilu 8, Landmark Tower 2, Office 0311, 100004 Beijing, phone: + 10 65 90 71 38 fax: + 10 65 90 71 40 email: kuaps@163bj.com. You are advised to set about obtaining this certificate as early as possible as the process can take some time.

Applicants from Vietnam

You must submit a certificate from the Akademische Prüfstelle der Deutschen Botschaft (APS). Address: Deutsche Botschaft in Hanoi, APS, 29 Tran Phu, Q. Ba Dinh, Hanoi, phone: 04-845 38 36/7; 04-843 02 45/6 fax: 04- 843 99 69; email: ku-101@hano.auswaertiges-amt.de.
Please note: Interviews will be held twice a year in November and May. Deadline for submission of the APS application is 15.09./31.03.

Applicants from Mongolia

You must submit a certificate from the Akademische Prüfstelle der Deutschen Botschaft (APS). Address: Deutsche Botschaft in Ulan Bator, APS, Straße der Vereinten Nationen, PF 708, phone: +976-99225839; email: aps.ulanbator@gmail.com.

The Course Programme

The Course Programme

The programme comprises three semesters consisting of 19 course modules, including a Project and Dissertation Period of 6 months. Six courses are compulsory (marked with *), eight out of 13 offered optional courses must be taken (one of these either Quantitative Methods of Economics or Project Planning & Evaluation).

First Semester

• M1 Development Studies 1*
  
• M2 International Economics*
• M3 Macroeconomics of LDCs*
• M11 Regional Policies in LDCs
• M12 Agricultural Economics in LDCs
• M13 Social Security Systems
• M14 Social and Political Context of Economic Development
• M15 Development Cooperation
• M18 Humanities Programme*

more

Second Semester

• M4 Development Studies II*
• M5 Public Finance in LDCs*
• M6 Money and Banking in LDCs
• M7 Financial Institutions and their Management
• M8 State-Owned Enterprises/Privatisation
• M9 Public Management
• M10 Regional Integration
• M16 Quantitative Methods of Economics
• M17 Project Planning and Evaluation

more

M19 Thesis

The aim of the Thesis Seminar (U1) is to develop the capacity of students, working in groups, to formulate clear and specific research objectives, and to comment and advise each other as they proceed with work on their own theses... more