Development Research Division | South African‐German Centre for Development Research and Criminal Justice

The MA in Development Studies is designed for those planning a career in the field of economic and social development as policy-makers, activists, administrators, developers, researchers or teachers at universities.

The Development Research Division of the SA-German Centre for Development Research and Criminal Justice (CDRCJ) offers generous two year DAAD merit scholarships for Masters degrees (MA or MEcon) in Development Studies at the ISD (Institute for Social Development), School of Government, University of the Western Cape in Cape Town. The closing date for scholarship applications for full-time students of the MA and M Econ in Development Studies for the intake in 2012 has expired. The next deadline for intake in 2013 (starting in January 2013) will be advertised iin 2012. For more information regarding scholarships see scholarship section of this website or if you experience problems write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Entry requirements:

• Scholarship applicants should have an excellent academic record in any social science, economics, public administration or other management sciences.
• They should have achieved at least a 70% average (upper 2nd class) for a four year Bachelors degree or for an Honours degree.
• Relevant professional experience in the public or development sectors will also be an advantage.
• Good proficiency in written and spoken English

Please submit

• a letter of application, motivating your application,
• the DRD-SA application form (available for download from the scholarship section),
• your school leaving certificate,
• a CV, also indicating relevant work experience as intern or as employee,
• an academic transcript from your last university,
• certified copies of all academic certificates,
• two academic references, to be submitted separately by the referee and clearly indicating your name. Referees should also comment on your ability to study in English,
• the proposed topic of your masters thesis.

Please indicate whether you wish to study for an MA or MEcon. Wherever possible, please have all documents verified by a Commissioner of Oaths.

Applicants for the MA and M Econ in Development Studies are advised to apply on-line for admission into the programme. Details on on-line applications are provided on the UWC website (see apply online button). Further information related to the application procedure for postgraduate studens is also available from the UWC website.

Documents required for application are usually:

• A certified copy of your identification document
• A certified copy of your matric certificate
• Official academic transcripts
• Letters of reference for those programmes where it is required
• Certificates and transcripts that are in another language other than English or Afrikaans must be submitted together with an English translation thereof that has been certified by a Public Notary
• Any other documentation which may be required for admission to a specific programme

The regular deadline for applications will be published in 2012 (most likely the 1st of August 2012)

Communication of selection outcome:

Applicants will be notified about the selection outcome within 6 weeks after the expriation of the application deadline.

Tuition, registration and other costs:

• Tuition fees are charged per module within a prescribed programme
• A list of tuition fees is availabel from the UWC website.
• The UWC website also gives an idea about other costs students should allow for in their financial plans

For additional information on the courses or on registration please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Scholarship applications should be submitted electronically to:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , with relevant documents as scanned attachments saved in pdf, or in hard copy to Ina Conradie, Institute for Social Development, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Belville 7535, South Africa. Please also notify us by e-mail if you submit a hard copy by mail, as mail can sometimes be very slow and unreliable. If you send a hard copy, please allow about 6-8 weeks for it to reach us.

Please make sure that your application is complete, as no incomplete submissions will be considered.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held about 2 weeks after the espiration of the application deadline,  either face-to-face or telephonically or via Skype. Please ensure that you will be available during this period if contacted for an interview. All applicants will be informed about their applications within 6 weeks after the expriation of the application deadline.