The Institute for Social Development (ISD) is a research and post-graduate centre providing teaching and research work in development studies.
The Institute offers four degree programmes: structured course-work Honours and Masters in Development Studies, Masters by thesis in Development Studies and PhD by thesis.
The honours programme admits majority of our student population who get expose to the field of critical inquiry concerning contemporary dynamics of social, economic, political and population change. The masters’ programmes focus on training students on the use of inter-disciplinary conceptual frameworks and methods to identify and examine development programmes and strategies that are relevant to drive desirable change in societies. The PhD by thesis is a research-led programme which require students to adopt rigorous and extensive research on development topic.
The Institute equips students and researchers with the skills and expertise needed to be effective in their future endeavours. Every year, close to 50 Honours students and 30 Masters/PHD students from different countries graduate from the programme.
Our partners are a collective force for transforming the approaches aimed at addressing today’s real challenges. Partners contribute to ISD’s operations mainly through funding and joint implementation of research projects.
Below is a list of our key partners:
The European Union - The European Union is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. More information: ec.europa.eu
Child Watch International (CWI) - The Child Watch International Research Network is an international network of institutions involved in interdisciplinary research on issues relating to children’s rights, their development and well-being. More information: www.childwatch.uio.no
Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) - The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is Pan African research organisation established to among other things promote and facilitate research and knowledge production in Africa using a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach; promote and defend the principle of independent thought and the academic freedom of researchers in the production and dissemination of knowledge etc. More information: www.codesria.org
Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation - The Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn) is the first research institution in Africa dedicated entirely to governance innovation. GovInn is an ‘innovation laboratory’ capable of generating new thinking about governance and development. It focuses on cutting-edge research, attracting innovators from all over the world. More information: https://governanceinnovation.org
Statistics South Africa - Statistics South Africa (frequently shortened to Stats SA) is the national statistical service of South Africa, with the goal of producing timely, accurate, and official statistics in order to advance economic growth, development, and democracy. More information: https://www.statssa.gov.za
The Institute offers four degree programmes: structured course-work Honours and Masters in Development Studies, Masters by thesis in Development Studies and PhD by thesis.
The honours programme admits majority of our student population who get expose to the field of critical inquiry concerning contemporary dynamics of social, economic, political and population change. The masters’ programmes focus on training students on the use of inter-disciplinary conceptual frameworks and methods to identify and examine development programmes and strategies that are relevant to drive desirable change in societies. The PhD by thesis is a research-led programme which require students to adopt rigorous and extensive research on development topic.
The Institute equips students and researchers with the skills and expertise needed to be effective in their future endeavours. Every year, close to 50 Honours students and 30 Masters/PHD students from different countries graduate from the programme.
Our approach
At ISD, we don't only provide teaching services, but also create opportunities for students to develop their working and leadership skills to enhance their future prospects. We provide an interactive environment for students, scholars and professionals to combine thoughts on how to tackle the world’s most pressing problems.Our values
Commitment to diversity and inclusion
We embrace diversity and participation of all members regardless of race, gender, ethnicity and age. Guided by the equity principle, our services are delivered in a way that ensures equal access and opportunity for all. As an institute, we thrive on the strength of our global community of students and professional staff. We acknowledge that in the pursuit of knowledge in development studies, excellence could only be achieved if we allow participation of all and sundry. We. therefore, seek to unlock the potential of every individual.Commitment to building transformational leaders
At ISD, we prioritise value creation. Our motivation does not rest on producing graduates with just certificates, rather we strive to develop our students into becoming transformational leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge to inform positive change in their communities.Commitment to building transformational leaders
At ISD, we prioritise value creation. Our motivation does not rest on producing graduates with just certificates, rather we strive to develop our students into becoming transformational leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge to inform positive change in their communities.Download our Brochure Here
Our partnerships
The Institute for Social Development works in partnership with many organisations and institutions from different sectors to combine thoughts and actions to tackle the world’s most pressing development problems.Our partners are a collective force for transforming the approaches aimed at addressing today’s real challenges. Partners contribute to ISD’s operations mainly through funding and joint implementation of research projects.
Below is a list of our key partners:
International Partners
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. More information: www.unhcr.orgThe European Union - The European Union is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. More information: ec.europa.eu
Child Watch International (CWI) - The Child Watch International Research Network is an international network of institutions involved in interdisciplinary research on issues relating to children’s rights, their development and well-being. More information: www.childwatch.uio.no
Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) - The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is Pan African research organisation established to among other things promote and facilitate research and knowledge production in Africa using a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach; promote and defend the principle of independent thought and the academic freedom of researchers in the production and dissemination of knowledge etc. More information: www.codesria.org
National partners
Western Cape Government - The Western Cape Government creates laws for and provides services to the people of the Western Cape. The provincial government work closely with the national government and municipalities in the Western Cape to ensure that the citizens of the province have access to the services, facilities and information they need. More information: www.westerncape.gov.zaCentre for the Study of Governance Innovation - The Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn) is the first research institution in Africa dedicated entirely to governance innovation. GovInn is an ‘innovation laboratory’ capable of generating new thinking about governance and development. It focuses on cutting-edge research, attracting innovators from all over the world. More information: https://governanceinnovation.org
Statistics South Africa - Statistics South Africa (frequently shortened to Stats SA) is the national statistical service of South Africa, with the goal of producing timely, accurate, and official statistics in order to advance economic growth, development, and democracy. More information: https://www.statssa.gov.za
Academic institution partners
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany, Institute of Development Research and Development Policy (Coordinator)
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands, International Institute of Social Studies
- Duisburg-Essen, Germany, Institute of Political Science
- University of Bordeaux 1, France, Les Afriques dans le Monde (LAM)
- University Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, France, Economic Department
- Palacký University, Czech Republic, Department of Development Studies
- University of Jyväskylä, Finland, Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy
- University of Cape Town, Department of Economics
- University of Fort Hare, Department of Development Studies
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Built Environment and Development Studies
- University of Limpopo, Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Department of Development Studies
- The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- Palacky University
- University of Bordeaux IV
- University Paris 1
- University of Jyvaskyla
