Talca-Program

Joint Master's Program in International Agribusiness and Rural Development (IARD) at the University of Göttingen (Germany) and Universidad de Talca (Chile)

International Program 2019 Updated

Location:

University of Göttingen:

Founded in 1737, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (GAUG) is a research university of international renown with a strong focus in research-led teaching. The University is distinguished by the rich diversity of its subject spectrum particularly in the humanities, its excellent facilities for the pursuit of scientific research, and the outstanding quality of the areas that define its profile. Forty-five laureates have been closely connected with the University, 13 of them explicitly honored for research work in Göttingen. GAUG comprises 13 faculties including Agricultural Sciences, 3,246 scientists including 411 professors, over 30,000 students from 133 countries, and modern library facilities with more than four million volumes and subscriptions to about 14,000 scientific journals.

University of Talca:

Founded in 1981, the University of Talca has progressively become one of Chile’s leading universities, accredited by CNA-Chile and evaluated by the European University Association. In addition, the University is one of 27 institutions of higher education that make up the Council of Presidents of Chilean Universities (CRUCH). Reaching high standards in education, the University comprises nine faculties including Agricultural Sciences spread over seven campuses (Talca, Curicó, Santiago, Santiago-LBI, Linares and Santa Cruz), 11 technological centers, nine study centers, 34 academic units, over 11200 students, 665 academic staff and 285 administrative staff. In 2018, the admission process included 41 Bachelor’s degree programs, 27 Master’s, and 10 Ph.D. programs in the following fields: Law, Agriculture, Health Science, Forestry, Economics and Business Administration Sciences, Social Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and Education Sciences, among others.

Cooperation:
The Faculties of Agriculture of the Universities of Göttingen and Talca have been cooperating scientifically for many years. In 2002, they introduced the M.Sc. Program in International Agribusiness and Rural Development (IARD) in order to meet the demand for qualified leaders in agriculture and agribusiness. In 2013, a joint Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics was introduced in partnership between both Universities.
The program speakers are Prof. Dr. Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (on behalf of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Göttingen) and Prof. Dr. José Diaz Osorio (on behalf of the University of Talca).

Course focus:
The core study program consists of modules covering international agricultural economics, agricultural and rural development policy as well as business administration, management and agribusiness marketing, development economics and rural sociology.

Strong emphasis is placed on acquiring methodological research skills in the fields of econometrics, marketing and social sciences. The program further offers a number of optional modules in agricultural technology, agronomy and animal production. Modules also include seminars, computer-aided exercises, and teamwork to enhance students’ presentation, communication and team-building skills. The program also offers excursions to agribusiness enterprises, international trade fairs, and international organizations.

During the three teaching semesters, students are expected to complete a minimum of 15 modules; the last semester is dedicated to field research and writing the Master’s thesis.

The study program begins for all students in March in Chile for the first and second semesters. In October of the same year, students move to Göttingen to continue with the third and fourth semesters of their studies and complete the MSc degree.

TALCA

Target group:
Highly qualified students who wish to pursue a career in international agribusiness in the private or public sector, in research, or in non-governmental organizations in the agribusiness sector. Successful applicants are expected to have an excellent grade average in their undergraduate degree (B.Sc. or Diploma) and a good working knowledge of English and Spanish.

Course language:
English and partly in Spanish at the University of Talca

Application deadline:
30 September 2018

Entry requirements:

  • B.Sc. Degree (or equivalent) in agricultural sciences, business administration, forestry, veterinary sciences, economic or social sciences.
  • Very good command of English: TOEFL Test (550 PBT, 80 iBT, 213 CBT), IETLS Test (6,0), Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (B level), Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (C Level).

  • Documents required:
    The applicant must submit an application letter prior to the established deadline (30.09.2018), together with the following documentation:
  • Officially certified hardcopies of B.Sc. Degree and transcripts grades with GPA (including the scoring range).
  • Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should come from a Professor at the university at which the candidate received his or her undergraduate degree.
  • Letter of motivation (1-2 pages) in English. The candidate shall highlight his or her motives and interests to enroll in the M.Sc. program and explain how he/she intends to use the M.Sc. degree in his/her future professional career.
  • Short research proposal describing the intended topic to develop in the master thesis (In English). The topic of the proposal can be changed during the study courses.
  • Curriculum Vitae (with a recent photograph, please use the Europass CV Template).
  • Proof of English Skills: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate (not older than two years).
  • IARD Application form (Application Form IARD-Talca) together with a declaration by the applicant on how he or she intends to finance living costs, travel and other expenses.
  • Professional experience should be documented by letters of current or previous employers or letters of recommendation (optional).

  • These documents will be evaluated by an Academic Selection Committee, consisting of Professors from the Universities of Talca and Göttingen. The Academic Selection Committee will only accept complete applications in English. Submitting an application does not create any entitlement for participating in the study program.

    Remarks:
    Documents in any language other than English, Spanish or German shall be translated by certified translator.
    Please mail your application documents in paper format (2 copies) and in electronic format to both the University of Göttingen and the University of Talca (see addresses below).

    DAAD Scholarship:
    DAAD scholarships cover only the 3rd and 4th semesters in Germany (i.e. 12 months from October 2019), and are available for students who are nationals of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher (or equivalent in the German grading system).
    After the selection process is complete, students who have been awarded DAAD scholarship should register themselves in the DAAD Portal, upload required documents and fill out the DAAD application form.

    Proficiency in German or other languages besides English and Spanish, and intercultural skills are not required, but may be taken into account.
    Applications for DAAD scholarships will be evaluated by an ad hoc committee consisting of university lecturers from the University of Göttingen and University of Talca, and representatives of the DAAD. The DAAD will inform the applicants in writing about the results of the selection process.

    Currently, there is no tuition fee for scholarship holders other than the enrolment fees (a single payment of approx. US$ 430 in Talca and approx. EUR 360 in Göttingen at the beginning of each semester).

    The University of Talca will provide the students awarded with the DAAD Scholarship with a monthly allowance, covering the 1st and 2nd semester (from March to September 2019).

    Degree awarded:
    Master (M.Sc.) in Agricultural Sciences with specialization in Agribusiness and Rural Development. Students receive a double degree from the Universities of Talca and Göttingen.

    Course begins:
    March, 2019 in Talca, Chile (1 and 2 Semester). October, 2019 in Göttingen, Germany (3 and 4 Semester).

    Course duration:
    19 months (four semesters)

    For further information contact

    Contact and submission of applications in Germany:
    M.Sc. Program "International Agribusiness and Rural Development (IARD)"
    Department for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
    Georg-August-University of Göttingen
    Platz der Göttinger Sieben 5
    37073 Göttingen – Germany.
    c/o Prof. Dr. Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel and Sindy Flores
    e-mail: iard@gwdg.de

    Contact and submission of applications in Chile:
    Programa “Master in International Agribusiness (MIA)”
    Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias - Departamento de Economía Agraria
    Universidad de Talca
    Casilla 747-721
    Talca-Chile
    c/o Prof. Dr. José Díaz Osorio and Daniela Lara
    e-mail: mia@utalca.cl / dlara@utalca.cl

    Course website: http://iard.uni-goettingen.de
    Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MScAgribusinessRuralDevelopment.IARD/

    Download the program as a PDF: Talca Programm 2019

    Last modified: 21.08.2018 (JSE)