International Master of Science in Rural Development
Ghent, Belgium
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
28 Feb 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 5 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* European students (all EU countries + Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey): € 4,500 | Non-European students: € 9,000 | For VLIRUOS Scholarship holders the tuition fee is included in the grant
Introduction
In this webinar, with Q&A, IMRD staff immerse you in the programme landscape and scope and your different mobility options along the many high-ranked partner universities in the programme. Moreover, IMRD alumni will talk about their experiences and what the programme has meant to them: personally, academically and career-wise.
Register here: https://shorturl.at/wSdTI
The joint International MSc in Rural Development (IMRD) offers the opportunity to study European visions on rural development and rural economics in their diversity of approaches and applications and to make comparative analyses of EU and non-EU agricultural and rural development strategies and agricultural policies. The objective is to train students from European and non-European countries, from developed, developing, and transition countries to become specialists in Integrated Rural Development with a focus on socio-economic and institutional aspects.
The jointly organized IMRD provides the opportunity to become an international expert in rural development by training students through diverse approaches:
- Awareness raising on the multifunctionality of rural areas
- Capacity building and ability to apply skills in diverse situations, contexts, or settings worldwide
- Combination of technical and social sciences
- Multi-disciplinary training: dialogue with different stakeholders and gain critical reflection skills
IMRD is a 2 year master's program (120 ECTS) jointly organized by 15 leading universities in the field of rural development leading to a high extent of integrated student mobility.
Program Outcome
Structure
Structure of the programme:
- General Entrance Module - Semester I 30-35 ECTS - all students start at Ghent University
- Advanced Modules I and II - Semesters II and II of each 15-40 ECTS - Choose a mobility partner according to the requirements of the programme (study in at least 2 European partners, including if possible a stay at a non-European partner)
- Case Study - 10 ECTS - Nitra University, Pisa University (all students) or Can Tho University (for a student with a VLIR scholarship)
- Thesis Module - Semester IV 30 ECTS - thesis partner university
- Add elective internship or language courses if this fits your educational goals and after discussion with the educational coordinator
Gallery
Curriculum
The International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD) delivers experts in integrated rural development, specialized in agricultural economics, sociology, policy and decision making. Graduates will be part of a unique international network of specialists in agronomics and rural development with a focus on socio-economic and institutional aspects.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Flemish University Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS) - full scholarships
VLIR-UOS supports partnerships between universities and university colleges in Flanders (Belgium) and the South looking for innovative responses to global and local challenges. It provides a limited number of scholarships for students entering the following two-year master's degree program at our Faculty:
- MSc in Aquaculture
- MSc in Food Technology
- MSc in Rural Development
The application and selection procedure for these scholarships is managed by ITC staff. You first need to apply for admission to the program of your choice.
Specific eligibility criteria for VLIR-UOS scholarships:
- Applicants can be no older than 35 years at the time of application.
- Applicants need to be a national AND resident of one of the 31 scholarship countries at the time of application.
Please contact the university for more information.
Rankings
Ranking of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering:
QS ranking: position 7 (Agriculture and Forestry)
Shanghai Ranking: position 13 (Agricultural Sciences)
Times Higher Education ranking: position 47 (Life Sciences)
National Taiwan University ranking: position 21 (Agricultural Science)
Ranking of Ghent University
Shanghai Ranking: position 84
Times Higher Education ranking: position 107
National Taiwan University ranking: position 84
QS ranking: position 159
QS sustainability ranking: position 58
Career Opportunities
Non-EEA students eager to enter the Belgian job market can apply for an orientation year in Belgium. An orientation year allows students to extend their stay in Belgium with 12 months to find a job or start their own business.
Get inspired at studyinflanders.be or the Ghent University website.
Student Testimonials
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.