Study Development Economics in Germany (2026/27)

Development Economics in Germany

Germany provides international students exceptional Development Economics programs focusing on economic challenges and opportunities in developing countries through English-taught curricula covering economic growth, poverty alleviation, sustainable development, global trade, microfinance, policy interventions, and institutional roles in development. Students apply economic theory and quantitative methods to analyze inequality, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability issues at institutions collaborating with GIZ (managing €3 billion in development cooperation), KfW Development Bank, and organizations like the German Development Institute in Bonn. Programs emphasize theoretical foundations and practical applications through case studies, empirical research, and fieldwork, with Germany's leadership in international development—contributing €25 billion annually in development aid as the world's second-largest donor—providing unique perspectives on sustainable development approaches.

Related subjects

Application Deadlines

Numerus Clausus

NC-Free

Best-ranked German Universities in Development Economics

QS Ranking

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

Ranking Criteria

Social Sciences & ManagementEconomics & Econometrics

251-300

University of Göttingen

1 program

401-450

Technische Universität Dresden

2 programs

451-500

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

2 programs

501-550

University of Duisburg-Essen

1 program

Fees & Costs

German Students

Degree

Tuition Fee

Bachelor

0 - 10,000 euros (per semester)

Master

0 - 3,202 euros (per semester)

Disclaimer: You should use this text as a general guide, but it cannot serve as a guarantee. Keep in mind that there is no universal tuition fee that applies to all study programs and all student groups. Hence, we urge you to always individually double-check the specific fees of the specific study programs on their official websites.

Deadlines

Below are the most frequent application deadlines for Development Economics study programs in Germany.

Non-EU Students

Winter Semester

Summer Semester

	Admission-restricted courses	Admission-free courses
Master	31 August	31 May
Bachelor	15 July	01 September

Master

Admission-restricted courses

31 August

Admission-free courses

31 May

Bachelor

Admission-restricted courses

15 July

Admission-free courses

01 September

See all deadlines

Specific courses may have different application deadlines. Please always double-check the information individually.

Numerus Clausus (Admission Restriction)

For degree courses with a numerus clausus, part of the study places are allocated according to the grade point average (GPA) of the previous degree. Selection is generally based on how many applicants apply for a place. The higher the grade, the more difficult it is to get onto the course. The German grading system ranges from 1.0 (very good) to 6.0 (unsatisfactory).

Which degree?

All

Master

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