Development studies for universities

Development studies (DS) is a multidisciplinary branch of social science that addresses issues of concern to developing countries. It has historically placed a particular focus on issues related to social and economical development. Its relevance may therefore extend to communities and regions outside of the developing world. Kothari (2007) states that; DS is offered as a specialized Master’s/PhD degree in a number of universities and less commonly as an undergraduate degree. It has grown in popularity as a subject of study since the early 1990s and has been most widely taught and researched in the third world and in countries with a colonial history such as the United Kingdom where development studies originated. Students of development studies often choose careers in international organisations such as the United Nations or the World Bank non-governmental organisations private sector development consultancy firms and research centres.