PhD in International Development Studies (PhD IDS)

PhD IDS is a structured and interdisciplinary English-language doctoral programme at Ruhr University Bochum combining individual research with coursework and transferable-skills training. It is oriented toward development challenges and supported by IEE research clusters and international cooperation partners.

Academic requirements

Applicants must submit a research proposal (five pages maximum).

Minimum GPA

The official PhD IDS page requires either a qualified university degree equivalent to German grade 2.7 after at least four years of relevant study, or a qualified degree equivalent to German grade 1.3 after at least three years of study plus usually three semesters of preparatory studies.

English requirements

The official PhD IDS page requires English proficiency equivalent to CEFR C1, for example IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 94, or Duolingo 125 or above. If English has been the language of instruction since secondary education, separate proof is not compulsory but is still recommended.

Accepted bachelor fields

Suitable prior subjects include law, social science, political science, economics, development management, and related disciplines.

APS Certificate

No

Tuition fee

None

Semester contribution

Study fees are not charged. The official PhD IDS page states that PhD students register as regular Ruhr University Bochum students; the current official RUB social contribution is 362.40 EUR per semester for Summer Semester 2026.

Funding info

Tuition: None Semester contribution: Study fees are not charged. The official PhD IDS page states that PhD students register as regular Ruhr University Bochum students; the current official RUB social contribution is 362.40 EUR per semester for Summer Semester 2026.

The programme prepares researchers for academic and policy-oriented careers in international development studies, supported by supervised research, fieldwork, and interdisciplinary exchange.

• 1

  European Studies (BA)

  Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

  Magdeburg · Bachelor of Arts · German, English

• 2

  European and East Asian Governance

  Trier University

  Trier · Master of Arts · English

• 3

  Politics & Democracy (MSc)

  Leuphana University Lüneburg

  Lüneburg · Master of Science · English

• 4

  Master of Public Administration in European Studies (MPA-ES)

  RWTH Aachen University

  Aachen · Master of Public Administration · English

• 5

  European Studies and European Legal Studies (MA/LLM)

  Universität Hamburg

  Hamburg · Master of Arts · English