From winter 2007, the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy (IEE) offers an international English-language PhD programme in International Development Studies (IDS). It is implemented by the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy in cooperation with the Faculties of Economics, Geography, Law, and Social Science. Up to 10 PhD candidates are accepted to the program annually. The programme builds on three fundamental pillars: It is a structured PhD-program with a strong interdisciplinary and international focus.
The duration of each programme cycle is three years including a field research period of up to six months.
The application period for the 2023 intake of the PhD in International Development Studies expired. Selection results will be communicated until August 2023.
The application period for the 2024 intake will start in November 2023. More information is available from the IEE website.
The PhD in International Development Studies is a combination of working on individual PhD research projects as well as participating in selected teaching modules.
Teaching modules deal with developmental issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. These seminars are complemented by courses on research methods and statistical analysis. PhD candidates are offered the opportunity to present and discuss their individual research projects on a regular basis inside the meetings of the IEE's three Research Clusters in which all PhD candidates as well as supervisors and other IEE staff members take part. A field research phase in the fourth semester forms an integral part of the PhD-program.
Courses on "Generic Skills" include seminars on Scientific Writing, Scientific Presentation and Professional (Scientific) Communication. They aim at the training of key competences and are offered in cooperation with the Ruhr-University Bochum Research School. For more information please visit the website of the cross-faculty RUB Research School.
A supervisor is assigned to each research project. All supervisors of the PhD candidates hold professorial posts in the faculties involved.
The decision about supervisors is part of the application and selection process. It is therefore not necessary for applicants to contact potential supervisors before they apply.
Please visit IEE website in order to see the full list of current PhD IDS candidates and short descriptions of their research projects.