MSc in Rural Development Engineering

MSc in Rural Development Engineering

Last modified: 14. March 2025

The aim of the program is to train agricultural engineers specializing in rural development. Graduates will acquire the knowledge necessary to oversee production, distribution, and control processes, ensuring optimal resource utilization. They will also be skilled in organizing and managing production and service activities.
Students gain in-depth knowledge of rural and regional development in Europe and Hungary, particularly the role of agriculture in sustaining and advancing rural areas. Graduates are prepared for careers as planning and development engineers, researchers, and managers, and they are eligible to pursue doctoral studies.

Qualification of the degree:

  • level of degree: Master of Science (MSc);
  • qualification: Rural Development Engineer.

Length of program: 4 semesters
Work schedule: full-time (HU, EN) or correspondence (HU)
Financial options: state scholarship or self-funded
Program Leader: Dr. habil. Tibor Farkas associate professor (Szent István Campus)
Deputy program leader: Dr. László Péli associate professor (Szent István Campus)
Cooperative Program Coordinators:

  • Dr. Kinga Szabó (Kaposvár Campus)
  • Dr. Gábor Koncz (Károly Róbert Campus)
  • Dr. Ernő Kovács (Georgikon Campus)

Training sites

  • Gödöllő 
  • Kaposvár 
  • Gyöngyös 
  • Keszthely 
  • Szarvas
  • Csíkszereda 
  • Zenta 

Language of conduction:

  • Szent István Campus: Hungarian, English
  • Károly Róbert Campus: Hungarian
  • Georgikon Campus: Hungarian
  • Kaposvár Campus: Hungarian 
  • Csíkszereda: Hungarian
  • Zenta: Hungarian

Professional practice

The professional practice component allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, enhancing their skills and understanding of workplace operations. It is a mandatory requirement as per the training and outcome regulations of the MSc program.

Practice completion options for full-time students:

  • At institutions recommended by the university
  • At workplaces independently secured by students (with institutional approval)
  • Through Erasmus placements

Students must submit a practice report (diary) as per the Institute's guidelines.

Skills and Competencies Acquired

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Analyze and articulate professional opinions on national and international economic and social policies related to agriculture and rural economies.
  • Critically assess and synthesize relevant literature on spatial economics.
  • Interpret and apply professional legislation, plan and organize rural development activities, and oversee their implementation.
  • Perform leadership functions, manage teams, evaluate performance, and resolve conflicts effectively.
  • Design and lead projects, conduct cross-sectoral analyses, and manage agricultural and rural economy operations.
  • Communicate professionally in English, use modern information technology, and advocate for environmentally friendly, health-conscious engineering solutions.

Conditions of obtaining pre-degree certificate (absolutorium)

  • completion of: all the compulsory subjects of the program, the required number of optional credits according to the curriculum and the number of credits for the preparation of the thesis, for a total of 120 credits.
  • completion of the professional training of 30 credits.

Final exam

Eligibility for the final exam:

  • Obtained pre-degree certificate (absolutorium)
  • Approved thesis submission
  • No outstanding financial obligations to the university

Final exam components:

  • Comprehensive subject exam
  • Thesis defense

Final Exam Subjects (from 2021/22 Academic Year):

  • Theory and Practice of Local Development
  • Development of Local Society
  • Agricultural Economics (Advanced)
  • Applied Research Methodology
  • Alternative and Ecological Farming
  • Rural and Agrotourism
  • Integrated Regional Development
  • Integrated Rural Development
  • Environmental Economics and Policy
  • Economics of Agricultural Markets
  • Agricultural Business Management Systems
  • Project Management
  • Regional and Settlement Marketing
  • Settlement Development and Management
  • Economic and Settlement Sociology
  • Geoinformatics
  • Rural and Agricultural Policy
  • Rural Economy

Evaluation of final exam and qualification of degree from 2020/21 academic year

Accordingly, to chapter 4.3.16 Final exam and chapter 4.3.17. Degree certificate.

Model curriculum of the program