Studying MIDE

I started working for the Ministry of Finance when I returned to Trinidad in October 2012, but took up a position at the Central Bank in April 2013. I have to say that in both instances what I was exposed to during the MIDE was critical. At the Central Bank, I've had to use theories from Prof. Dullien’s International Economics course as well as Prof. Joebge’s Central Banking and Financial Development courses. At the Ministry of Finance I had to develop arguments for the minister concerning his policy on deficit sustainability. This brought into focus some of the public choice arguments that were raised in the Musgrave text we used in one of the courses. The perspective when you're in the field is certainly different than when you're a student, so I can definitely say that the MIDE platform is a good one!

Stefan Edwards from Trinidad and Tobago

Table of contents

Promoting sustainable development in an inadequate world

Over the course of 18 months, the Master's degree in International and Development Economics (MIDE) at HTW Berlin prepares students for the responsible and demanding work involved in the context of development. Students gain an in-depth working understanding of the economic and political global context in which developing countries are integrated. The profound theoretical and methodological training provided equips MIDE graduates with a thorough understanding of the socio-economic methods and theories necessary to address urgent problems in development countries. The wide range of optional courses allows students to shape their professional profile according to their preferences.

High academic standards combined with practice-oriented teaching

MIDE graduates are ideally equipped to work in development cooperations or international organisations. Featuring a wide variety of courses to choose from, ranging from "Agricultural Economics in Less Developed Countries (LDCs)" to "Project Planning and Evaluation", MIDE provides students with a well-rounded education. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical expertise, graduates are capable of analysing the current challenges of development and formulating actionable strategies for meeting them.

Interactive discussions on an international level

After being provided with a comprehensive understanding of the central debates and current issues concerning international and development economics, students address similar discussions in class:

  • What does globalisation really amount to? Does globalisation benefit developing countries or does it result in a widening gap between rich and poor countries?
  • Should developing countries provide unfettered access to international trade and capital flows?
  • What are the lessons for developing countries of the "Asian Miracle"?... the transition debacle in Russia?... Argentina's financial crisis?
  • What specific policies are required to promote key sectors such as agriculture and finance?
  • Do poverty-reduction strategies, as advocated by the World Bank, help the poor or contribute to their problems, as some critics allege?