Master’s in Development and Rural Innovation

Starts with an introduction to the social sciences. This year includes research courses, electives, and a chosen thesis preparatory course. A highlight will be a field excursion at the end of year one, where you can practice your knowledge and conduct real field research with your fellow classmates. A great way to end the academic year and set off for the summer break. 

A detailed description of all the courses can be found in the Study Handbook of the programme.  

Download the courses overview of the first year.

In year 2 it is now up to you to demonstrate that you can deliver a solid piece of scientific research through your thesis within one of the chair groups. The second year also challenges you to work within an organisation, company, or institute during your internship. 

A detailed description of all the courses can be found in the Study Handbook of the programme.  

Although this programme is not divided into specialisations, it has 4 different thesis tracks. Advised by your study advisor, you will choose one of the following. A detailed description of all the courses can be found in the Study Handbook of the programme.

• Communication and Innovation Studies
  Focuses on the understanding of the politics of communication and participation for social-environmental transformations — and the role of knowledge in this. Compulsory course in this thesis track: The Politics of Communication and Change.
• Rural Sociology  
  Focuses on understanding the social-spatial implications of agrarian change, food system transformations and place-based development from a comparative perspective. Compulsory course in this thesis track: Social Theory and Practice: Perspectives on struggles around land, food, and place.
• Sociology of Development  
  Focuses on the understanding of worldwide development and environmental problems from sociological and anthropological perspectives, with an emphasis on social inequality and political power. Compulsory course in this thesis track: Political Ecologies of Natural Resource Distribution.
• Technology and Development Studies  
  Focuses on understanding how technical innovations are shaped by different societal actors and groups, and on the design of responsible innovation & transformation processes. 

The choice of the thesis track determines your thesis preparatory course and the chair group you will do your thesis with. 

• Lectures – concepts, theories and research methodology in development sociology, rural sociology, communication sciences and innovation sciences
• Tutorials – interactive learning and discussion
• Essay writing – applying the theories and concepts you learned to a topic of your interest in an individual assignment
• Group projects – applying the theories and concepts you learned to a topic of your interest in a group assignment
• Role playing – practice how to facilitate stakeholder participation and conduct field research
• Excursion – apply your field research skills during a group assignment in a dynamic international setting
• Thesis – apply your theoretical knowledge and research skills in an independent research project
• Internship – experience the professional life in an organisition or company outside the university 

During your studies, you will receive guidance from your study advisor, a thesis supervisor and an internship supervisor. Your study advisor will assist you in the process of choosing a  thesis track and electives. She will also – together with the education coordinators of the chair groups related to this MSc programme – help you to find suitable supervisors for your thesis and internship. Your thesis supervisor will be a staff member of one of the chair groups, who will supervise you during your thesis period (6 months). Your internship supervisor will be a staff member of one of the chair groups, who will supervise you during your internship (4 months). 

The Master's in International Development Studies partly resembles this MSc programme, but is designed for a different target group. International Development Studies is open to students with a social sciences or economics Bachelor’s, whereas Development and Rural Innovation is open to students with a BSc in technical sciences, life sciences or relevant management sciences. 

Are you curious to see how this study might compare to similar studies outside WUR? Check how on Studiekeuze123.nl. 

Development and Rural Innovation graduates work on societal change in a wide variety of organisations and companies. We have identified five dominant job profiles:   

• Project manager at an NGO
• Specialised public officer at local, national or international level
• Researcher or lecturer
• Self-employed consultant or facilitator, entrepreneur,
• Social responsibility manager in the profit sector (working for instance on fair and sustainable commodity chains) 

Have a look at the Career Booklet for more information about career opportunities.

Interested in the Master's in Development and Rural Innovation? Find out whether your knowledge and skills match the entry level of the programme. 

Purpose and reason for the admission requirements

The admission requirements for the master program Development and Rural Innovation are defined in such a way that the students should be able to successfully complete the program nominally in two years. In order to be admitted students should have an educational background in technical, life sciences or relevant management studies.

The criterion used for admission is

a WUR BSc degree in Forest and Nature Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Food Technology, Biosystems Engineering, Animal Sciences, Biotechnology, International Land and Water Management, Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, Molecular Life Sciences, Plant Sciences, Nutrition and Health, Soil, Water, Atmosphere, a BSc in Biology from a Dutch univeristy (with CROHO 56860 or 59325), or equivalent.

The norm for this equivalence is

A previous education with a focus on one or more of the following topics:

• Life Sciences (for example Natural Resources Management)
• Physical Sciences and Engineering
• Health Sciences
• Natural Sciences (physics, chemistry and/or biology)
• Agricultural Development
• Rural Development
• Food Sciences
• Mathematics
• Agricultural Sciences

Method of assessment whether this norm is met

• Transcript of records displaying the content of previous course subjects and project work;
• Curriculum vitae displaying relevant work, internship and/or project experience on an academic level in a relevant field if applicable.

Scores attributed by the Admission Board

Admitted / not admitted / admitted under condition obtaining the BSc or MSc degree

Admissible study programmes

Study programmes of which the graduates may meet the knowledge requirements of this programme are for example:

• WO B Advanced Technology
• WO B Applied Earth Sciences
• WO B Biologie (Biology)
• WO B Biomedische wetenschappen (Biomedical Sciences)
• WO B Bouwkunde (Architecture)
• WO B Diergeneeskunde (Veterinary Medicine)
• WO B Civiele techniek (Civil Engineering)
• WO B Future Planet studies
• WO B Life science & Technology
• WO B Milieu-natuurwetenschappen (Environmental Sciences)
• WO B Natuurwetenschap en Innovatiemanagement (Science and Innovation)
• HBO B Bos- en Natuurbeheer (Forest and Nature Conservation)
• HBO B Civiele Techniek (Civil Engineering)
• HBO B Dier- en Veehouderij (Animal and Livestock Farming)
• HBO B Diermanagement (Animal Management)
• HBO B Horticulture & Business management
• HBO B International Development management
• HBO B International Food & Agribusiness
• HBO B Kust- en Zeemanagement (Coastal and Sea Management)
• HBO B Land- en Watermanagement (Land and Water Management)
• HBO B Milieukunde (Environmental Sciences)
• HBO B Plattelandsvernieuwing (Rural Development)
• HBO B Toegepaste Biologie (Applied Biology)
• HBO B Tropische Landbouw (Tropical Agriculture)
• HBO B Tuinbouw en Akkerbouw (Horticulture and Arable Farming)
• HBO B Voedingsmiddelentechnologie (Food Technology)

Did you do a bachelor’s in the social sciences or economics?

Chances are high that you are not admissible to the MSc Development and Rural Innovation (MDR). However, WUR also offers the MSc International Development Studies (MID). MDR and MID are sister programmes, designed for different target groups. MID is specifically designed for students with a social sciences or economics bachelor’s, who would like to do a social sciences/economics master’s with an emphasis on international development. Please check the admission criteria for both study programmes to see what applies to you.

You can apply for this Master's here.

The Admission Board may allow and/or suggest compensation of knowledge gaps by:

a GPA≥7.0* for the previous education for small discrepancies as new knowledge is sufficiently easily acquired.

*Check the Application & Admission page for the International credentials evaluation guide for international equivalencies to a Dutch GPA>7.0. This guide includes compensating factors for a slightly lower GPA the Admission Board may include in their judgement.

Contact us to discuss the possibilities of a pre-master or how to mitigate knowledge gaps if you are still in the process of obtaining your degree.  

Studying in the Netherlands costs money. Curious to see what you should expect? All information about the costs of this programme can be found on this page. 

Outside your study at WUR, you will most likely fill your day with other fun activities in and outside of Wageningen! Before you know it, you will be hanging out with your roommates, picnicking at the Rhine, having a drink in a pub or attending one of the many sport activities! Additionally, there are parks, forests, and a river nearby, so if you enjoy the outdoors, you're in the right area.All information about student life in Wageningen can be found on this page.