Bachelor of Arts Honours in Development Studies at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The programme purpose is to provide candidates with the opportunity to access and acquire contemporary knowledge and develop competences through active engagement with the field of study known as Development Studies and its theories, principles, discourse, practices and policies of promoting integrated and holistic human development. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of contemporary development theory and the competence to identify, analyse, evaluate and address complex socio-economic development problems, review issues, offer and communicate creative insights, make decisions and use resources accountably and ethically with emphasis on strong community acceptance and ownership.

Faculty: Business and Economic Sciences | Duration: 1 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Programme purpose The programme purpose is to provide candidates with the opportunity to access and acquire contemporary knowledge and develop competences through active engagement with the field of study known as Development Studies and its theories, principles, discourse, practices and policies of promoting integrated and holistic human development. Programme outcomes Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of contemporary development theory and the competence to identify, analyse, evaluate and address complex socio-economic development problems, review issues, offer and communicate creative insights, make decisions and use resources accountably and ethically with emphasis on strong community acceptance and ownership. The published curriculum is an NQF Level 8 qualification of 120 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Development Analyst.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS A Bachelor’s degree in any of the fields of economic, social and environmental sciences, or such other degree as approved by Senate. A final mark of at least 60% in each of the relevant majors for that degree, except if otherwise approved by the Head of the Department in terms of the guidelines provided by Faculty Board.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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