About the Programme

The Master of Social Science in Development Studies will offer solid and balanced expertise in the study of development in Africa. It is targeted at those wishing to start or continue their professional careers in development or to pursue their studies at PhD level. With Africa as its main area of focus, the programme is designed with four specific aims in mind:

1. To offer high quality advanced academic training in development studies grounded in Africa’s historical context,experiences and aspirations.
2. To equip students with critical analytical skills so that they can understand the relationship and gaps between development theory and practice by questioning why development has been a failure in Africa.
3. To offer critical examination of theoretical and conceptual knowledge and the way this has been applied to practical issues of development and social change in Africa.
4. To developand nurture critical skills in development research methodology.

It is also desired that through this programme, students develop, reinforce, and value such basic learning skills as self-discipline, as applied to study habits, meeting deadlines, and completing assignments timeously as well as independent and critical thinking.

Entry requirements:

A good first degree (at least a 2.2 division)in an appropriate discipline in the humanities and social sciences (for example sociology, anthropology, development studies, gender studies, psychology, economics, administration or political science).