Admission Requirements
- For admission to the structured Master’s programme (by coursework), students require an average grade of at least 65% for their majors in their final year of a four year undergraduate degree, or an average grade of 65% for an honours degree in a related field of study.
- All prospective structured Master’s programme applicants will have to submit a 5-7 page research proposal.
All Applicants will be subject to a selection procedure.
Modules
Students are encouraged to complete all compulsory and elective modules, and to submit an ethically approved research proposal, in their first year of study. In the second year, they are expected to focus on completing their mini-dissertation.
Compulsory Modules
- Economics for Development Studies (DVS822) – This module offers a critical, applied economic perspective on key development debates, policies, and prospects. It engages students with contemporary issues in development economics, linking theoretical insights to the challenges faced by developing countries in addressing poverty and improving welfare. Topics include political economy, conceptualising and measuring poverty and inequality, economic systems, markets, and rational choice, providing a strong analytical foundation for understanding development processes.
- Theories of Social Transformation (DVS821) – This course builds on the Honours-level foundation in social theory, enabling students to engage critically with and apply development theory. Drawing on international scholarship with a strong African and contextual focus, students are encouraged to think independently, debate, and develop their own perspectives. The module covers key theories of social transformation, including Marxist political economy, decolonisation, social movement theory, the livelihoods approach, and social capital—while also supporting students in developing theoretical frameworks for their mini-thesis research.
- Research Methodology (DVS850) – This course introduces postgraduate students to key social science research methods and approaches. It examines the strengths and limitations of different methodologies using real-world examples, while equipping students to develop and test their own research ideas in preparation for their dissertation. Key topics include research design, operationalisation, reliability and validity, confounding, and interaction effects. A central outcome of the course is the development of an ethically approved research proposal for the mini-thesis.
- Master’s Thesis 801 (1st Enrolment) and 802 (2nd Enrolment) – This is the mini-dissertation completed under the supervision of an academic supervisor, building on the research proposal developed in DVS850. Students undertake an applied or theoretical research project that addresses a contemporary development issue, culminating in a rigorous and well-structured thesis.
Elective Modules
- Development management (DVS 824) – The Development Management and planning course is designed to enable students to acquire practical management skills in order to promote development effectively in a range of organizational contexts, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and private sector firms. The course is intended to expose students to situations they will encounter in ‘the real world’ and to offer them experience in tasks which they will be required to perform as leaders in development organizations and initiatives.
- Social Policy in Development (DVS 827) – This course examines Social Policy both as a welfarist approach toward poverty eradication, and as a political tool for the claiming of social rights. In the course, emphasis is placed on equipping students to critique the ideological and theoretical underpinnings of different Social Policy approaches and strategies. A critical review of real-life examples of Social Policy instruments that are found in developing countries in general and Southern Africa specifically will be analysed and discussed
- Urban and Regional Development (DVS 823) – This module introduces students to the theory and practice of contemporary urban and rural transformations. It investigates the political and economic factors that drive urbanization processes, and critically evaluates the implications of these processes for both urban and rural development in South Africa and other parts of the ‘Third World’.
- Migration and Development (DVS 861) – The module is designed to provide students with a theoretical/conceptual framework and analytical tool to address the relationship between migration and development.
- Community Development in Theory and Practice (DVS 826) – This postgraduate module provides an overview of community development theories, concepts, and strategies within the context of developing countries. It is designed for students pursuing careers in public service, including roles in government and non-governmental organisations at local, provincial, and international levels. The course emphasises a holistic approach to community problem-solving, equipping students to apply theory to diverse contexts, analyse community challenges, and critically evaluate development interventions and strategies.