International Master in Rural Development (IMRD)

This master's degree is a fully integrated and globally competitive Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree, designed by a broad consortium of European and non-European universities in Rural Development. It offers the opportunity to become an international expert on rural development in its diversity of approaches and applications. Ghent University is the coordinating institute for the IMRD program.

The course program is a high-level academic program aimed at training top students from all over the world into specialists in integrated rural development, focussed on socio-economic and institutional aspects, not only from the European Union but also from developed, developing, and transition countries outside the EU.

The goal of IMRD is to train professionals that contribute to solving socio-economic, natural resource, and agricultural challenges in rural communities. The multi-disciplinary approach, the comparative study of EU and non-EU models, a flexible study program, and the unique mobility requirements stimulate students to gain a broad perspective of Rural Development and build an international network.

It is a master's program covering four semesters (2 years) and 120  ECTS . It is jointly organized by  six core European partners  and  nine associated partners from outside Europe .

The program starts every year in early September at Ghent University (Belgium) with a preparatory course, "BePreP," and a kick-off event. The program consists of 5 modules, with the option of an internship, each of which can be followed at a different location.

All IMRD students must spend at least one semester in a  minimum of two EU partner universities . Depending on the track followed, specific additional mobility requirements may be necessary.

Students can obtain the IMRD degree through one of  5 mobility tracks:

IMRD

Erasmus Mundus track

VLIR-UOS track

IMRD+

ATLANTIS track: A double degree program with the University of Arkansas

EKAFREE track: A double degree program with Korea University and Seoul National University

EERUDEV track: A double degree programme with Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral

Following one of the IMRD+ tracks leads to a double degree - the joint degree: International Master of Science in Rural Development. And a second degree in Agricultural Economics (University of Arkansas or Seoul National University), Economics (Korea University), or Rural Development (ESPOL).

The French School of Agriculture, Food, Horticultural and Landscape Sciences (AGROCAMPUS OUEST) is an internal school of the National Institute of Higher Education for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, called the "Insitut Agro".

The National Institute of Higher Education for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, or "the Institut Agro," was created on January 1st, 2020, by merging 2 existing Higher Education Agricultural Institutions: Agrocampus Ouest (AO) and Montpellier SupAgro (MSA).

The newly created Institute is designed to provide France with a leading, university-level institution focusing on food, agriculture, and the environment. It has three main aims: to train students, conduct academic and applied research, and transfer knowledge to society.

Every year, the Institute trains over 3,750 agricultural engineers, Master's and PhD students on its 5 campuses to address the world's societal and environmental challenges through a systemic approach. It employs 210 research-lecturers, working in 36 research units. A dedicated International Team with a hands-on approach works alongside academics and researchers.