Studying Development at UCT
Equipping students to address developmental challenges in South Africa and across the global south
The study of development or development studies draws on a wide range of academic disciplines, which address the issues facing the developing world. This website provides information on the full range of the University of Cape Town’s programmes and courses in the area of development. It also provides a guide to the possibilities for interdisciplinary studies best suited to the capabilities and interests of individual students.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is recognised globally as a leading institution in Development Studies. The QS 2023 World University Rankings placed UCT as 12th globally for Development Studies. The rankings are based on academic standing (programmes taught and research impact) and also incorporate employer perceptions and feedback.
Historic background
In 2011 the Vice Chancellor established a strategic initiative on Poverty and Inequality at the University of Cape Town. The purpose was to identify and stimulate work which tackles the burning questions of persistent poverty and inequality in South Africa. In 2013, in an attempt to encourage our students and give them the tools to address these questions, the Poverty and Inequality Initiative (PII) undertook the task of surveying all UCT’s courses and programmes to compile a list of those that explicitly dealt with issues of poverty and inequality in various ways. This list, with offerings from various faculties at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, is available on the PII website.
Continuing with this the Promoting Post-graduate Development Studies Group produced a Studying Development booklet together with this website, in partnership with the Institutional Planning Department and the PII, to profile post-graduate development offerings (programmes and courses) across faculties at UCT. The booklet and website provide a guide to the possibilities for interdisciplinary studies best suited to the capabilities and interests of individual students in the field of development.