Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies is an inter-disciplinary, three-year NQF level 7 undergraduate degree combining development studies and economics, offered full-time on South Campus. It builds a theoretical grounding in the principles and practice of economic development policy, research and implementation.

Faculty: Business and Economic Sciences | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: Full-time, South Campus; no new second-semester intake | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Year 1 covers Introduction to Development Studies, Development Issues in Contemporary Africa, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Economic History and computer literacy, plus Sociology or Industrial and Organisational Psychology. Year 2 includes Contemporary Development Theories, Development Planning, Global Development Studies, Project Appraisal and Demography. Year 3 includes Economics of Development, Econometrics, Development Policy, Research Methods for Development and Case Studies in Developing and Transitional Countries.

Career pathways

Development analyst; graduates find opportunities in the public, private and civil society sectors.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum NSC statutory requirements for degree entry must be met. Applicants with NSC Mathematics or Technical Mathematics need a minimum Applicant Score of 350; applicants with Mathematical Literacy need a minimum Applicant Score of 365. NSC achievement rating of at least 40% for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, or 70% for Mathematical Literacy.

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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