International Economics & Development (specialisation)

Entry requirements

A completed Bachelor's degree in Economics or a closely-related discipline from a research university.

You should have studied courses covering at least the following topics:

• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Econometrics and/or Methods in Empirical Analysis
• Micro- and Macroeconomics
• International Economics
• Economic Policy and/or Economic Development

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English.This requirement has been satisfied when the student meets the conditions, listed on our website.

A letter of motivation

In this letter of motivation (max 2 pages) you should explain why you want to attend this programme and why you think you are suited for this programme.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The specialisation in International Economics and Development offers you the opportunity to follow a state-of-the-art curriculum in International Economics with a strong empirical and analytical focus on the low and middle income countries of the Global South. Hosting one of the largest databases for developing countries in the world, we offer you a unique possibility to analyse poverty, inequality, and economic development in these countries in an international context. Using recent theoretical insights and modern empirical methods, you will be actively involved in comparative research on issues in developing countries such as the impact of globalisation on economic growth, corruption, the education of children, child labour and women’s empowerment.

What will you learn?

• Gain a broad theoretical undertsanding about issues pertaining to low and middle income countries
• Learn how to conduct rigorous research
• Take a multidisciplinary approach to the field

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme can find work in a variety of different organisations, companies, governmental bodies and NGOs:

• Economist for national governments
• Policy maker or policy advisor
• Researcher for different organisations
• Consultants

This is a specialisation of the Master's in Economics.

If you have any questions, email us here: study-information@ru.nl

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Information for international students

Application deadlines

Non-EU/EEA students

• The deadline for non-EU/EEA students who wish to apply for a scholarship is 31 January prior to the September intake. For the requirements and selection procedure for scholarships, please check our scholarship overview.
• The deadline for those not applying for a scholarship is 1 April for non-EU/EEA nationals for the September 2026 intake. You can apply for the September 2026 intake from 1 October 2025.

EU/EEA students

• The application deadline for EU/EEA students with housing assistance for the September 2026 intake is 1 May, and the deadline without housing assistance is 1 July. You can apply from 1 October onward for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The application deadlines for Master’s starting in February are 1 November for non-EU/EEA citizens and 1 December for EU/EEA citizens.

Fees and funding

Radboud University offers 3 different scholarships that are open to prospective Master's students from non-EU/EEA countries and who want to follow an English-taught Master's programme.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers talented, highly motivated, non-EU/EEA students with outstanding study results the opportunity to be awarded a partial scholarship for an English-taught Master’s programme.

NL Scholarship (for prospective students)

The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is a partial scholarship for non-EU/EEA students who want to do their Master’s in the Netherlands.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

The Fulbright Commission, sponsored by Radboud University, is offering scholarships for talented American students to study at Radboud University.