Academic Advice Service

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Infosheet:
Master of Arts in Development Studies

www.uni-passau.de/en/ma-devstudies

Valid for the programme starting in winter semester 2019/20

(study and examination regulations version 2019)

Last revised in May 2020

About the programme and how to apply

Basic facts about the programme

Degree awarded: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Programme start: October (winter semester)
Language of instruction: the entire programme is taught in English

Programme description
This programme addresses the worldwide need for experts in the expanding field of development
research as well as for project managers in international development cooperation.
Students enrolled in the programme gain insights into the economic, social, ethical, and cultural con-
texts and constraints of development. The programme provides outstanding opportunities to put the-
ory into practice through international field research, with a strong focus on integrating quantitative
and qualitative methods.
The M.A. Development Studies enables students to develop the advanced knowledge, analytical
skills, and conceptual frameworks required to understand and navigate the complexities of economic
and social development.

Career prospects
Graduates have a wide range of potential career paths within the development field, such as: pro-
gramme managers for local and international development organisations, including government
agencies, non-governmental organisations, community groups and multinational firms. Possible ca-
reer prospects are also as policy makers for bilateral and multilateral agencies, such as GIZ, the
World Bank and the United Nations, as well as working for civil society advocacy groups or as re-
searchers and doctoral students, leading to an academic career.

How to apply

Different application procedures apply, depending on your background and qualifications. Visit
www.uni-passau.de/en/apply/ for a detailed description of the application process and the documents
you need to enclose.
The application deadline for the programme, which commences in the winter semester (October)
every year, is 30 June. We regret that we are unable to process any applications reaching us after
this date. When submitting your application, please include:
 Your chronological curriculum vitae
 The degree certificate and final transcript for your first degree, obtained at the end of a degree
programme with a minimum standard duration of three years' full-time study (e.g. a bachelor's
degree or a German ‘Magister’, ‘Diplom’ or state examination or equivalent) in social sciences,
i.e. economics, anthropology, demography, empirical social or human geography, sociology, po-
litical science, administrative science or any other equivalent degree with a minimum of
60 ECTS credits in one or several of these disciplines. Any past achievements and qualifica-
tions gained in 'Wirtschaftswissenschaften' (combined business and economics programmes)
must be derived specifically from economics ('Volkswirtschaftslehre') modules. Out of the 60
ECTS credits referenced above, 10 ECTS credits must come from empirical research meth-
ods, such as data collection, data analysis, mathematics and/or statistics. Please note that a
general course in research methods is not enough and does not count in this case. The final grade
for your undergraduate degree should be equivalent to 2.5 or better according to the German
grading scale or ranked among the best 50% of your cohort.
 Unless English is your first language or the language of instruction for your undergraduate studies
or secondary school education, you will need to prove that you have adequate
English language skills at level UNIcert® II or B2 of the Common European Framework of Ref-
erence for Languages (CEFR) or higher by means of a recognised language certificate.
Applicants should also have basic knowledge of German (level A1) to make sure that they can or-
ganise their everyday life. Applicants who do not yet have a basic knowledge of German are offered
 the possibility to take a language class either before the start of the programme or within the first two
semesters.
If you are unable to provide your degree certificate and final transcript for your first degree at the time
of application, e.g. because it has not been issued yet, you may send us a preliminary academic
record/transcript (of records) instead. This should show the modules and assessments completed as
well as the marks/grades/results achieved and comply with the above requirement regarding the
minimum average mark. If you apply using your transcript instead of the final certificates, you will be
offered a place on condition that you submit your final certificates to the Student Registration Office
by no later than the 10th week of lectures in the first semester of your degree programme at the
University of Passau.
For more information, please contact Dr Christian Dölle (Christian.Doelle@uni-passau.de).

At the start of the degree programme

Orientation Week (‘O-Woche’)

At the beginning of each semester, the ‘Fachschaften’ (student committees) hold an Orientation
Week (often abbreviated ‘O-Woche’) for all new students. In the case of this degree programme, the
student committee that organises the Orientation Week for you is the ‘Fachschaft Philo’ (aka ‘FS
Philo’). During the O-Woche you will be given guided tours of the campus and of various key
units of the University, including the University Library. You can also attend courses explaining
how to use Stud.IP and there will be fellow students around to help you when it comes to preparing
your timetable; naturally there will also be plenty of fun social activities on- and off-campus during
this week.
For more information on the O-Woche, visit:
www.phil.uni-passau.de/fakultaetsorganisation/fachschaft/o-woche
(this webpage is only available in German).

International Students' Orientation Weeks

About two weeks before the semester starts, the International Office holds the International Students'
Orientation Weeks. These are open to all international students starting out at the university and, like
the 'Orientation Week' for all students (see below), are designed to help you settle in quickly. Being
specially designed for international students, they include guided tours of the town, campus and
university facilities in English as well as short-term German language and area studies courses
– and usually one or two multi-day outings to interesting places in Germany. As the International
Students' Orientation Weeks precede the regular Orientation Week, new students coming to Passau
will be able to take part in both. www.uni-passau.de/en/orientation-week/

Placement test for foreign languages

As part of the programme you will study one foreign language at the Language Centre; however, if
you wish you can study additional languages. German as a Foreign Language is offered exclusively
to international students. Language courses are free of charge for enrolled students.
If you have previous knowledge of a foreign language that you would like to study, e.g. as part of
module area D, you must take a language placement test (www.sprachenzentrum.uni-
passau.de/en/placement-tests/). The results will determine at which level you will join the rele-
vant language course. With the exception of English, all languages are available from beginner's
level. If you intend to take English for Business/Economics, you must take the English for Busi-
ness/Economics placement test.
Many placement tests are conducted online. Online placement tests can be completed even be-
fore the Orientation Week. If you have existing language skills for a language for which no placement
tests are carried out, please arrange a face-to-face consultation with the relevant language lecturer
well in advance of the start of the language course.
Placement test dates: www.sprachenzentrum.uni-passau.de/en/placement-tests/test-dates/

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Course catalogue, Stud.IP and HISQIS

The course catalogue can be found at www.uni-passau.de/en/course-catalogue

To find and register for your courses, go to Stud.IP (https://studip.uni-passau.de). Click on ‘Search
(the looking-glass symbol), then ‘Course directory’, then 'Philosophische Fakultät', 'Master', 'Devel-
opment Studies', and finally the version of the study and examination regulations under which you
are studying your degree programme. This takes you to the module areas, modules and individual
module courses for your degree programme. In addition to this, Stud.IP gives you access to module-
related content, timetable functions as well as updates on the module sessions and allows you to
engage with lecturers and fellow students via the notice boards.
Finally, Stud.IP is used for managing CampusCard (i.e. student ID card) functions. The username
and password used for Stud.IP are the same as your University computer network credentials (aka
‘ZIM credentials’, ‘ZIM account’ or in German: ‘ZIM-Kennung’).
HISQIS, another virtual learning environment (VLE) system, is the platform students use to register
for module and language examinations. It is important to remember that even after you sign up for
a lecture, seminar, tutorial etc., you have to sign up separately for the exams in the exam registration
period announced during the semester. Use your ZIM credentials to log on to HISQIS.
During the Orientation Week and on the ZIM website (www.zim.uni-passau.de/en/new-student-info)
you will be given an introduction to the IT systems of the University of Passau by the Centre for
Information Technology and Media Services (ZIM).

Academic calendar
Check the academic calendar for teaching dates and other important dates during the semester.
Please note that the semester break is the part of each semester during which there is no teaching;
however, for administrative purposes the semester break still counts as being within the respective
semester. Most module examinations take place during the first weeks of the semester break. In
many degree programmes, students also have to complete written assignments and internships dur-
ing the semester break. www.uni-passau.de/en/academic-calendar

Programme structure and course credits

Modular structure and European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

The programme is divided into modules. A module is a complete unit of study and consists of one or
more courses (i.e. lectures, seminars or tutorials) on the same or a closely related topic. Every mod-
ule has a specific ECTS credit value (aka ECTS load) which reflects the time students are expected
to spend on coursework (including both teaching contact hours in class and self-study at home or in
the library) if they are to successfully complete the module. A rule of thumb is that one ECTS credit
amounts to a student workload of roughly 30 hours, including class attendance and self-study.
You should try to attend all classes for the respective course. Assessments will take the form of
written examinations, written assignments, colloquiums, oral presentations, written reports or other
assessment formats. Most modules conclude with a written or oral examination, for which you will
receive a mark. When you pass the examination, you are awarded the full ECTS credit value of the
module.
In order to complete your programme within the standard period of study, you should aim to obtain
approximately 30 ECTS credits every semester.

Coursework and distribution of ECTS credits

This degree programme comprises a minimum of 120 ECTS credits, allotted as follows:
95 ECTS credits are awarded for the taught modules (module areas A to D), while the master’s thesis
and field research account for the remaining 25 ECTS credits. Please see the appendix for a com-
prehensive overview of modules.

4
Master’s thesis

Your thesis should demonstrate your ability to independently carry out academic research by apply-
ing scientific methods to a clearly defined subject matter.
You will write your thesis in English.
Prior to commencing the thesis, you will have to accumulate a minimum of 80 ECTS credits in this
degree programme, of which 5 ECTS credits must stem from the Research Seminar module (module
area B: Research).
You will be given four months to write the thesis, which should have a maximum length of 15,000
words and will be awarded 25 ECTS credits for receiving a pass mark on your thesis.

Internship or research project

As part of this degree programme you will complete either an internship or your own research project.
This will be done in the module ‘Applied Development Studies’, (Transfer Modules, module area D).
If you opt for the internship, this must be carried out in accordance with the internship guidelines,
which can be found at www.phil.uni-passau.de/studium/praktika/. Please note that the internship will
not be arranged for you; it is up to you to look for an internship opportunity and agree on the internship
contents and structure with your internship employer.
Kuwi netzwerk e.V. and the Centre for Careers and Competencies (ZKK) can support you in your
search for a suitable internship. You may also be eligible for a scholarship, if you decide to complete
an internship abroad. On the ZKK website, you will find confirmation letter templates for internships.
www.uni-passau.de/studium/service-und-beratung/zkk/praktikum/

Attaining a pass mark

In order to complete the programme successfully, you have to attain a pass mark in all examination
modules, receive a minimum mark of 4.0 on your thesis, and accumulate at least 120 ECTS credits.
At the end of the degree programme, you should send a written request for your degree documents
(i.e. the final transcript, degree certificate etc.) to the Examinations Office:
www.uni-passau.de/en/examinations-office/general-information/

Study abroad

Even if studying abroad is not an obligatory part of the degree programme, you can still spend a
semester or more abroad as part of the programme. For details, visit
www.uni-passau.de/en/international/going-abroad
If you need help planning your stay abroad, get in touch with:
The International Office
Innstrasse 41, 94032 Passau, Germany
Telephone: +49 0851 509 ext. 1160, 1162, 1163, 1165 or 1167
www.uni-passau.de/en/international

Key competencies and career planning

The Centre for Careers and Competencies (ZKK) provides students with a comprehensive offering
of transversal skills seminars and a vast range of resources and services to facilitate students’ job
orientation, internship search and career entry. Through the ZKK, students can find out about
internships, student jobs and employment vacancies, as well as apply for scholarships for internships
abroad. In the seminars and computer courses you can acquire important interdisciplinary qualifica-
tions in addition to your studies. In addition, the ZKK supports you with special seminars on applying
for a job and information on career entry in Germany and abroad. www.uni-passau.de/en/zkk/

5
Additional career and job market services
The University’s iStudi Coach offers specific advice to international degree-seeking students en-
rolled at the University of Passau. This service is specifically targeted at international students –
which is what the ‘iStudi’ stands for – and helps you with all your questions regarding your studies,
career orientation and everyday life in Passau. For details see the ‘key contacts’ section below or
visit www.uni-passau.de/en/istudi.
In addition to this, the Federal Employment Agency offers all students consultations at the Univer-
sity for study and careers guidance and academic employment services.
www.uni-passau.de/studium/service-und-beratung/studienberatung/berufsberatung

Doctoral study

This master’s programme enables you to work according to scientific principles and thus gives you
the prerequisites for doctoral study. When undertaking a doctoral project, you should ideally have
already done research in the field of your future doctoral topic in your master’s thesis. The University
of Passau offers excellent conditions for pursuing a scientific research project within the framework
of a doctorate. www.phil.uni-passau.de/en/research/doctoral-study/

Important exam-related rules and regulations

Regulations and module catalogue

Please visit the programme webpage for the study and examination regulations and the module
catalogue. www.uni-passau.de/en/ma-devstudies/
 The general study and examination regulations for the faculty’s master’s programmes
and the subject-specific study and examination regulations for the degree programme
together govern the required assessments and examination modalities for successful com-
pletion of the programme.
 The module catalogue contains detailed module descriptors, including required assess-
ments.

Programme duration and credit points

Standard duration: four semesters' full-time study, not counting semesters on leave. The overall
ECTS load for the programme is 120 ECTS credits.
Maximum duration: six semesters. If you have not completed all required modules (i.e. passed all
required module examinations) by the end of the sixth semester, the master's examination is deemed
to have been failed for the first time; you will be given a further year to complete the missing modules.
If you have not passed all required modules by the end of the eighth semester, you will fail the
programme without the possibility of re-sitting the examinations. It is important to understand that
this 'endgültig nicht bestanden' status, which means 'final fail', also bars you from enrolling in the
same degree programme at other German universities.

Resits
You can resit the examinations for any module for which you have incurred a fail (‘nicht ausreichend’
or ‘nicht bestanden’) up to two times.
If you wish to re-attempt examinations for modules that you have passed but for which you would like
to improve the mark, you may do so once for up to four examination modules. Before you can
resit the relevant examinations, you have to submit a request for grade improvement to the Exami-
nations Office.
The provisions of the General Study and Examination Regulations (AStuPO) regarding repeat
attempts at the master's thesis apply.

6
Examinations and credit transfers
The Examinations Office (‘Prüfungssekretariat’ in German) will help you with questions on credit
transfers and all examination-related matters. The Examinations Office also issues – upon request
– your degree certificate, your final transcript, the diploma supplement and your transcript of records.
Coursework, examinations and other academic achievements completed elsewhere as part of a re-
lated programme of study may be counted towards your master's degree. Credit transfer requests
should be addressed to the Examinations Officer for your programme.
Please note that we cannot formally recognise any previous coursework/achievements until you are
fully matriculated as an ordinary student of the University of Passau. Please discuss any questions
relating to the curriculum with the relevant programme adviser. Find the Examinations Officer for
your degree programme at: www.uni-passau.de/en/study/getting-organised/examinations-of-
fice/contact/

Illness and inability to attend examinations

If you fall ill before an exam, you must decide whether to withdraw from the exam due to illness
before the start of the exam. A medical certificate is required. If you become ill during an exami-
nation and have to abort the examination, you must provide a medical certificate issued by an official
medical officer (‘Amtsarzt’).
In either case you must submit the completed Inability to Attend Examinations due to Illness
Form at the earliest opportunity. You should submit the form and medical certificate to the Examina-
tions Office as described in the information sheet on inability to attend examinations. Please
make sure you follow the information given in the leaflet! For the form and information sheet, visit the
Examinations Office website: www.uni-passau.de/en/examinations-office/general-information
If you fall ill for a longer period of time during the semester, it may be expedient for you to take
leave of absence for the whole semester. Leave of absence must be requested from the Student
Registration Office (using the Leave of Absence Request Form), and you will need a certificate from
a registered doctor stating that you are unable to study and sit exams in the current semester. You
cannot request leave of absence retroactively after the end of the semester. For the Leave of Ab-
sence Request Form and further information, visit the Student Registration Office’s website:
www.uni-passau.de/en/study/getting-organised/reregistration/leave-of-absence

If you receive a BAföG loan/grant, please note that interrupting your studies for more than three
months due to illness will result in your BAföG loan/grant being terminated. If you find yourself in
this situation, contact the Welfare Office of the Student Services Association (Studentenwerk):
www.stwno.de/en/counseling/kontakt-6-en.

Access arrangements for people with disabilities or chronic illness

If you have a physical or mental disability or suffer from chronic illness, you may be able to apply for
an access arrangement (e.g. additional time for written examinations or similar). Requests for access
arrangements should be addressed to the chairperson of the Board of Examiners and submitted to
the Examinations Office. Further details: www.uni-passau.de/en/disabilities

Accommodation, student finance and support

Accommodation in Passau

The Student Services Association (Studentenwerk) runs four student halls of residence in Passau.
In addition to these state-run student residences, there are other residential complexes operated by
the Church or private organisations. Finally, the private housing market offers many flats (apart-
ments), which can be rented by students, often as shared flats. For a more detailed description of
the accommodation available in Passau, visit www.uni-passau.de/en/housing.
Once it has been validated, the CampusCard serves as a semester bus pass, allowing you to use
the buses in Passau around the clock. Buses are a convenient way to travel to and from the Univer-
sity, particularly if your flat is located in a district that is further away from the city centre.
www.uni-passau.de/en/international/coming-to-passau/getting-settled/semester-bus-pass

7
 If you are an international student and wish to arrange accommodation for the first semester
through the University, please contact Ms Alexandra Winterkorn of the International Office:
International Office
Room 106, Administration building
Innstrasse 41, 94032 Passau
E-mail: alexandra.winterkorn@uni-passau.de
Phone: +49 851 509 1161
Fax: +49 851 509 1164
www.uni-passau.de/en/accommodation
If you need temporary accommodation for the first days or weeks after your arrival, the tourist infor-
mation office provides details about hotels, B&Bs and guest houses:
Tourist Information Passau
Rathausplatz 3, 94032 Passau
Phone: +49 851 955980
E-mail: tourist-info@passau.de
www.passau.de
If you need temporary accommodation for the first days or weeks after your arrival, the tourist infor-
mation provides details about hotels, B&Bs and guest houses:
Tourist Information Passau
Rathausplatz 3, 94032 Passau
Phone: +49 851 955980
E-mail: tourist-info@passau.de
www.passau.de

Student loans and grants (BAföG)

If you would like to receive financial support in accordance with the federal training assistance act
(Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz; BAföG), you should submit your application in good time be-
fore the start of the semester. Information and application forms can be found at www.bafög.de.

Scholarships
There are a large number of scholarships available to students, such as the Deutschlandstipendium
scholarship (which is equally available to foreign nationals, despite the potentially misleading name).
Make sure you find out early on about the various funding opportunities available to you. A good way
to start is by attending one of the information events or visiting www.uni-passau.de/en/scholarships.

Key contacts at the University of Passau

Programme co-ordinator

If you have specific questions about the degree programme, please contact the Programme co-
ordinator:
Dr Christian Dölle
Room NK 219, Innstrasse 40
D-94032 Passau
Phone: +49 851 509 2623
E-mail: christian.doelle@uni-passau.de
www.phil.uni-passau.de/en/study/programme-co-ordinators/

8
Academic Advice Service

The Academic Advice Service provides information on the master's programme and can help you if
you have questions about changing your programme of study or are thinking of de-registering from
the programme altogether.
Academic Advice Service, Innstrasse 39, D-94032 Passau
Phone: +49 851 509 1154
(calls are accepted Mon to Fri 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon and Mon to Thurs 1–3 p.m.)
Please make an appointment for a consultation session.
Drop-in hours: Wed 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
E-mail: advice@uni-passau.de
www.uni-passau.de/en/academic-advice

iStudi Coach: job-market coaching for international students

The University’s iStudi Coach offers specific advice to international degree-seeking students enrolled
at the University of Passau. This service is specifically targeted at international students – which is
what the ‘iStudi’ stands for – and helps you with all your questions regarding your studies, career
orientation and everyday life in Passau. The ‘iStudi Pass’ programme helps you to prepare for
entering the job market in and around Passau. To be able to answer your questions as fully as pos-
sible, the iStudi Coach co-operates with the Academic Advice Service, the Centre for Careers and
Competencies and the International Office as well as a network of partners within and outside the
University. For details, visit www.uni-passau.de/en/istudi-coach.

Student Services Association (Studentenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz)

The Student Services Association runs the refectory, cafeterias and student halls of residence, pro-
vides student welfare advice and facilitates involvement in cultural projects, e.g. theatre, film, pho-
tography, art, dance and music. Student Services Association staff also offer advice on social and
financial matters. For information on our range of services, visit www.stwno.de/en.

For an overview of all advice services, visit www.uni-passau.de/en/study/services-and-advice.

Related student clubs, societies and associations

Student committee (‘Fachschaft Philo’)

The student committee (‘Fachschaft’) of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Fachschaft Philo, can
help you from a student perspective on matters related to student life. Their office is located in room
235 of the NK building, Innstrasse 40; phone +49 851 509 2613; e-mail: fachschaft-philo@uni-pas-
sau.de, website: www.phil.uni-passau.de/fachschaft/

kuwi netzwerk international e.V.

With a membership figure of around 3,000 – comprised entirely of students and alumni of the cul-
tural studies-related degree programmes of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities – kuwi netzwerk
international provides assistance finding internships as well as other forms of employment; kuwi
netzwerk international also provides advice to students on writing up timetables and all other study-
related questions.
Kuwi netzwerk international e.V. will be there for its members during the Orientation Week, answer-
ing study-related questions and helping with members' internship and job search. In addition, the
network organises various events as well as the kuwi.mentoring programme, and maintains an
online kuwi.community. www.kuwi.de

9
Appendix: Overview of modules

Module Area A: ‘Foundation’

The module group ‘Foundation Modules’ consists of two examination modules that have to be completed by all
students.

Module Group ‘Foundation Modules’

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
L Methods and Theories of Development Research 2 5
S Interdisciplinary Development Seminar 2 10
Total for 2 modules: 4 15

Module Area B: ‘Research’

The module group ‘Research Methods’ consists of modules about research methods as well as a research sem-
inar and two research colloquia. Students must earn a minimum of 25 ECTS credits in this module group to
proceed. Completion of the Research Seminar and the colloquia is compulsory for all students on the programme.
Apart from the colloquia, all modules in this group are examination modules.

Module Group ‘Research Modules’:

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
L+T Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods 4 5
SE+T Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods 4 5
L+T Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (Evaluation of Development 4 5
Policies)
SE+T Advanced Qualitative Research Methods 4 5
SE Research Seminar 2 5
C Development Studies Colloquium I 1 5
C Development Studies Colloquium II 1 5
Total for 6 modules: 16 25

Module Area C: ‘Specialisation’

A minimum of 40 ECTS credits must be gained in this module area. You are required to complete at least one
module each from three of the five module groups forming the core subject areas. You will specialise in a field
or further consolidate your knowledge by completing additional modules.
All modules in this module area are examination modules.
The module groups forming the core subject areas are:
 Economics
 Southeast Asian Studies
 Sociology and Politics
 Sustainability and Resources
 Geographies of Development

You have the option of placing a study focus on one of the following areas, which will then be indicated in
your final transcript:

 Southeast Asian Studies

The subject area ‘Southeast Asian Studies’ will be shown in the final transcript if you gain at least 20
ECTS credits in the core subject area ‘Southeast Asian Studies’ (module area C: ‘Specialisation’) and at
least another 10 ECTS credits in an Asian foreign language (module area D: ‘Transfer’).
 Economics
The subject area ‘Economics’ will be shown if you earn at least 20 ECTS credits in the core subject area
‘Economics’ (module area C: ‘Specialisation’) and another 5 ECTS credits in Advanced Quantitative Re-
search Methods (module area B: ‘Research’).
  Sustainability
The subject area ‘Sustainability’ will be shown if you gain at least 20 ECTS credits in the core subject
area ‘Sustainability and Resources’ (module area C: ‘Specialisation’) and another 10 ECTS credits in
either Natural Resource Management in Asia (module area C: ‘Specialisation’ – Module Group ‘South-
east Asian Studies’) or in Sociology of Sustainability – Reflexive Perspectives (module area C: ‘Speciali-
sation’ – Module Group ‘Sociology and Politics’).

Module Group ‘Economics’:

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
L+T Health, Development and Public Policy 4 5
L+T Micro Development Economics 4 5
L+T Growth, Inequality and Poverty 4 5
SE Development Economics 2 7
L+T Economics of Education 4 5
L+T Behavioural Public Economics 4 5
L+T Economics of Corruption 2 7
L+T Anticorruption and the Design of Institutions 4 5
SE Experimental Ethics and Corruption 2 7
SE Lab and Field Experiments: Corruption, Conflict and Cooperation 4 10
L Behavioural Game Theory 3 5
L+T Fundamentals of International Trade 4 5
L+T Empirics of International Trade 4 5
SE Strategy and Innovation Consulting 2 7
L+T Strategy for High-Tech Start-ups 4 5

Module Group ‘Southeast Asian Studies’:

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
SE Natural Resource Management in Asia 2 10
SE Between Success and Failure: Development Policies and Projects in 2 10
Southeast Asia
SE Democratisation, Elite formation and Social Development 2 10
SE Multiple Modernities of Southeast Asia 2 10

Module Group ‘Sociology and Politics’:

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
SE Sociology of Sustainability – Reflexive Perspectives 2 10
SE Urbanism 2 10
SE Conflicts, Disasters, Processes of State-Building 2 10
SE Organisations, Institutions and Development 2 10
SE International Media, Development Cooperation and Development Jour- 2 5
nalism
SE Cooperation and Conflict in International Relations 2 5

Module Group ‘Sustainability and Resources’:

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
SE Agricultural and Rural Development 2 10
SE Sustainability 2 10
SE Gender and Development 2 10
SE Sustainability and Resources: Materiality and Infrastructure in Society 2 10
Module Group ‘Geographies of Development’:

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
L Regional Development 2 5
SE Regional Development 2 10
L Mobilities and Development 2 5
SE Mobilities and Development 2 10
L Human and Environmental Relations 2 5
SE Human and Environmental Relations 2 10

Module Area D: ‘Transfer’

In the module group ‘Transfer Modules’, a total of 15 ECTS credits must be earned, while the module Applied
Development Studies is compulsory for all students. This project module should be closely related to your master’s
thesis.
You can complete this module either with an individual research project under the supervision of an examiner
from module area C: ‘Specialisation’ or with an internship supervised by the chairperson of the Board of Exam-
iners.
Students opting for the Foreign Language module should choose one of the languages listed in the General
Study and Examination Regulations (AStuPO) and gain 10 ECTS credits in the relevant language. English is
available from FFA Advanced 1.1 (level 4, 'Hauptstufe 1.1') upwards. German as a Foreign Language can be
studied from Foundation 2 ('Grundstufe 2') level upwards. For French and Spanish language courses, students
have to choose between the Cultural Studies and Business/Economics specialisation starting from the Intermedi-
ate ('Aufbaustufe') level. For all other language courses, students have to choose the Cultural Studies specialisa-
tion.
For ‘Development Studies in Perspective’, the chairperson of the Board of Examiners may also approve mod-
ules from other master’s programmes at the University of Passau upon request.
Apart from Applied Development Studies, all modules in this group are examination modules.
Module Group ‘Transfer Modules’:

Module Module title WCH ECTS credits

type
Project/ Applied Development Studies (at least four weeks) N/A 5
Intern-
ship
T Foreign Language 8 10
L/SE Development Studies in Perspective 2–4 10
L/SE Development Studies in Perspective I 2–4 5
L/SE Development Studies in Perspective II 2–4 5
Total for 2–3 modules: 2–8 15

Master’s thesis:
All students have to complete a master’s thesis in the English language in one of the module groups chosen in
module area C: ‘Specialisation’. You will be given four months to write the thesis, which should have a maximum
length of 15,000 words. You will be awarded 25 ECTS credits for receiving a pass mark on your thesis.

Key of abbreviations:
C = Colloquium
ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
L = Lecture
SE = Seminar
T = Tutorial
VLE = Virtual Learning Environment
WCH = Teaching contact hours per week