Honours
Bachelor of Development Studies Honours (1707)
The Honours programme deepens theoretical knowledge and research capacity in Development Studies. Students engage critically with key debates and complete a supervised research project.
Academic Programmes
The ISD is a research institute with a long-standing and successful postgraduate programme in Development Studies. The emphasis of the research undertaken and courses offered is on the social and economic challenges developing countries have to meet in order to transform successfully.
ISD offers four degree pathways:
Each year, around 50 Honours and 30 Masters/PhD students from across the globe graduate from ISD.
Masters
Masters in Development Studies, Course Work
The structured Master’s programme combines coursework with research, offering students a balanced approach to advanced study. It provides both theoretical grounding and practical skills, preparing graduates for diverse roles in government, NGOs, and international organisations. The elective modules allow students to tailor their studies to specific interests such as poverty, inequality, or migration.
Masters
Masters in Development Studies, Full Thesis
This research-focused Master’s programme is designed for students seeking to undertake rigorous, in-depth academic research in Development Studies. Candidates complete a substantial thesis that contributes original insights to the field. Graduates are well positioned for academic careers, policy research, and leadership roles within the development sector.
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies (1921)
The PhD in Development Studies is the highest level of academic achievement in the field. It requires candidates to produce a doctoral thesis that makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge. The programme is ideal for those pursuing academic careers, high-level policy research, or leadership positions in international development.
Admission requirement
For admission into the Honours degree programme, students should have a first degree in a related field of study.
Honours
Students require an average mark of at least 65% for their majors in their final year of undergraduate study. Students with a three-year certificate and five years of appropriate work experience may also apply, if their application is accompanied by strong academic recommendations.
Honours via RPL
Students applying via RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) for the Honours programme must have matric, plus a three year diploma with an average mark of 65% for all modules along with working experience of at least five years. They must provide the names and contact details of at least two academic references.
Masters
For admission to the structured Master’s and the Masters by Thesis programmes, 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. Students undertaking the Masters by Thesis may be required to do course work at UWC or at one of our partner institutes.
No qualification will be awarded for early exit from any of the Development Studies programmes.
Programmes
BA Honours in Development Studies (1707) applicants must submit all the documents mentioned above.
- Masters in Development Studies by full thesis (1858) applicants must submit all the documents mentioned above and a 10 page draft proposal.
- Masters in Development Studies by coursework (structured) (1827) applicants must submit all the documents mentioned above and a 5-7 page research proposal.
- PhD (1921) applicants must submit all the documents mentioned above and a 15 page draft proposal.
Please quote the online applicant number as well as your old UWC student number on your motivational letter and submit all supporting documentation toisd@uwc.ac.za addressed to Ms Priscilla Kippie or Mr. Lance Scheepers.
Please include the following in the subject line of your email: Application and support docs for Honours or Masters or PhD, and always quote your online application number or old UWC student number.
Deadline for application is 15 September each year, and students who require study visas are advised to apply before 30 August. Late applications will not be considered.
Applications may be made through the UWC website: www.uwc.ac.za. Click on Online Services, then click on online applications and complete the form.
You may liaise with
Ms Candice Beukes at cbeukes@uwc.ac.za or Mr Lee Joseph at joseph@uwc.ac.za should you have any further problems with your online application.
When selecting your path of study choose the following options as indicated below:
Faculty:Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Department: Institute for Social Development
The following supporting documentation must be uploaded for all applications:
- Your CV (include your current email address and an alternative address if possible)
- A one to two page motivational letter which explains why you are interested in the course
- Certified copies of your previous academic transcripts which provide the grades that you have achieved.
- All documentation must be uploaded tohttp://studentdocumentupload.uwc.ac.za/
In addition, all students with international qualifications (outside South Africa) are required to have their international/foreign qualifications assessed by SAQA. Please send all your documents to SAQA as well. Please visit the SAQA website and follow all instructions as per website. Note that your application will not be processed until all these documents are received.
All ISD Masters applicants are required to submit a five to seven page draft proposal on a research topic in which you are interested. All PhD applicants are required to submit a ten page synopsis of your intended research. For details please refer to http://www.development-research.org/phd-international-development-studies/how-to-apply.html. ?A copy of all supporting documents must also be sent to cbeukes@uwc.ac.za
Fees, Study permits and Accommodation
For details regarding fees for the Honours, Master’s and PhD programmes, please contact: Ms D Rose on drose@uwc.ac.za or +27 21 959 2154 /2307
For any Tuition Fees or SAQA (O or A- Levels) enquiries for International/Foreign students, contact: Ms Sedicka Cassiem at our Student Administration office on scassiem@uwc.ac.za or Mr Clayton Alexander on calexander@uwc.ac.za
For more information regarding Honours bursaries, contact: Mr Ebrain Johnson on ejohnson@uwc.ac.za or Contact no. +27 21 959 3338 or go to http://nrfonline.nrf.ac.za.
For Masters or Ph.D DAAD scholarships, please contact: Dr Ina Conradie. Access website: www.drd-sa.org for more details. Due date :
Or go to http://drd-sa.org/development-studies-programs/phd-options-at-uwc.html
For assistance with study permits, please contact: Ms Sedicka Cassiem at our student administration office on scassiem@uwc.ac.za or Mr Clayton Alexander on calexander@uwc.ac.za
Additional information can be found at: http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/types-of-temporary-permits
For university accommodation, please contact: Ms Yasin on syasin@uwc.ac.za details: +27 21 959 2569 / 2999 or email (This is the applicants responsibility) or Ms Margo Simon, Residence Co-ordinator, Kovacs UWC Student Village, on kovacs@uwc.ac.za. Tel: 27.21 959 950
Note that we do not arrange accommodation and it is your responsibility to make these arrangements.
Academic Programmes
Apply Now
Deadline for application is 15 September each year, and students who require study visas are advised to apply before 30 August. Late applications will not be considered.