Degree awarded

The diploma of International Master of Science in Rural Development is a joint diploma issued by five European universities. It is fully based on the ECTS system and accompanied by a diploma supplement that adds additional information on evaluation systems, the course curriculum of the students and the ECTS system.
 

Learning outcomes and objectives

IMRD brings together leading universities and research institutes in Europe and offers the opportunity to study the European vision on rural development and to experience the diversity of approaches and applications of this European paradigm. The aim is to train specialists in integrated rural development not only from the European Union, but also from developed, developing and transition countries outside the European Union. The focus is on the socio-economic and institutional aspects of rural development.
 

The International MSc in Rural Development provides students with:

• Awareness of the multifunctional role of rural areas and agriculture and an integrated vision on development of rural areas
• Knowledge of different approaches to rural development and ability to apply these in diverse situations in developing, developed and transition countries
• Ability to apply adequate instruments, methods and innovative tools to analyse, evaluate and solve problems related to rural development and countryside management
• Ability to develop innovative tools and instruments for the multifunctional development of rural areas
• A general formation in both technical and social sciences disciplines and advanced competence in at least two rural development related disciplines
• Ability to dialogue with different actors of the socio-professional world as a consequence of their pluri-disciplinary training
• Critical reflection skills and the necessary communication skills for integrated team work for dealing with rural development challenges

Our students and graduates enjoy the added value of:

• a high mobility of students and scholars within the network, allowing students to access high level courses at all participating institutes. The international experience and exposure to different environments is an asset for their further professional career.
• the international composition of the groups, allowing comparative learning about rural development, agricultural economic and policy models and different approaches and exposure to different teaching methods.
• studying in different language and cultural environments, allowing students to acquire new scientific and practical knowledge and better language and cultural skills.

Our graduates have a unique combination of theoretical knowledge in development theories, agricultural economics and policies and practical based comparative knowledge of different approaches to rural development.

Graduates will have a competitive advantage when working in international organizations who deal with issues of global development, food trade and production of bio-resources, international food policies and so on.