Research the Change Eswatini Needs
Accreditation status: This programme has been developed by LUE in accordance with Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) Programme Approval Standards and is being submitted to ESHEC for accreditation. Prospective applicants should confirm the current accreditation status of this programme with LUE’s Admissions Office before enrolling.
The Master of Philosophy in Development Studies is LUE’s flagship postgraduate research degree — a two-year MPhil combining a full year of advanced coursework with a substantial, fieldwork-based thesis, designed to build the local development-research capacity Eswatini’s national planning depends on.
Master of Philosophy in Development Studies
2 Years | 4 Semesters
240 credits (60 credits per semester)
Level 9
Full-Time, Campus Learning
13 modules
A two-part MPhil Thesis (fieldwork, then analysis/writing/defence)
Eswatini’s own national reviews repeatedly call for stronger local research and monitoring-and-evaluation capacity — this degree exists to build exactly that.
No other Eswatini institution currently offers a dedicated, research-intensive MPhil in Development Studies.
A genuine MPhil, not a standard taught Master’s: 75 of 240 credits (31%) are devoted to a real, fieldwork-based thesis.
Every graduate produces both a publishable academic paper and a policy brief — your research is designed to reach policymakers, not just examiners.
Theories of Development, Global Political Economy and Development, Governance, Institutions and Development, and Gender and Development.
Advanced Research Methods in Development Studies and Quantitative Methods for Development Research, before fieldwork ever begins.
A two-part thesis — fieldwork and data collection, then analysis, writing and defence — followed by a Publishable Paper and Policy Brief module.
240 credits over 2 years (4 semesters): a full year of advanced coursework, followed by fieldwork and thesis writing.
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Research Methods in Development Studies | 15 cr. |
| Theories of Development | 15 cr. |
| Global Political Economy and Development | 15 cr. |
| Quantitative Methods for Development Research | 15 cr. |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy | 15 cr. |
| Governance, Institutions and Development | 15 cr. |
| Research Proposal and Literature Review | 15 cr. |
| Gender and Development | 15 cr. |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| MPhil Thesis Part I: Fieldwork and Data Collection | 30 cr. |
| Seminar in Development Practice | 15 cr. |
| Regional Integration and SADC Development | 15 cr. |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| MPhil Thesis Part II: Analysis, Writing and Defence | 45 cr. |
| Publishable Paper and Policy Brief | 15 cr. |
Full Course Learning Outcomes, weekly teaching schedules and reading lists for every module are available in LUE’s Detailed Course Outlines for this programme, available on request from the Admissions Office.
MPhil graduates are prepared for research, policy-analysis and doctoral careers:
International qualifications are accepted subject to LUE’s equivalency assessment and Eswatini Qualifications Authority (EQA) confirmation. Mature applicants without the standard qualifications may apply via LUE’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. All applicants remain subject to LUE’s Admissions Committee decision, which may apply additional selection criteria where places are limited.
Applications are considered by LUE’s Admissions Committee, and successful applicants receive a formal offer of a place, conditional upon final confirmation of qualifications and, where applicable, ESHEC accreditation status at the time of enrolment.
Every module is assessed using LUE’s standardised, criterion-referenced rubrics, moderated internally and, for capstone/thesis/dissertation components, externally examined. Marks are converted to a letter grade and grade point on LUE’s institution-wide scale:
| Percentage Mark | Letter Grade | Grade Point | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100 | A+ | 4.00 | Exceptional |
| 70–79 | A | 4.00 | Excellent |
| 60–69 | B | 3.00 | Very Good |
| 50–59 | C | 2.00 | Good |
| 45–49 | D | 1.00 | Pass |
| 0–44 | F | 0.00 | Fail |
| Classification | Weighted Average |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 70% and above |
| Merit | 60% – 69% |
| Pass | 50% – 59% |
The Master of Philosophy in Development Studies is a two-year, full-time degree delivered on campus over 4 semesters. Each semester carries 60 credits, for a total of 240 credits across 13 modules at ESQF Level 9.
A Bachelor’s Honours degree (or equivalent) with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Development Studies, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Public Administration or a closely related social-science discipline.
International qualifications are accepted subject to LUE’s equivalency assessment and Eswatini Qualifications Authority (EQA) confirmation.
Yes. A research concept note (1,000–1,500 words) outlining a proposed area of thesis interest, submitted with the application.
Mature applicants without the standard qualifications may apply via LUE’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. All applicants remain subject to LUE’s Admissions Committee decision, which may apply additional selection criteria where places are limited.
This programme has been developed by LUE in accordance with Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC) Programme Approval Standards and is being submitted to ESHEC for accreditation. Prospective applicants should confirm the current accreditation status of this programme with LUE’s Admissions Office before enrolling.
75 of 240 credits (31%) are devoted to a fieldwork-based thesis, completed in two parts: fieldwork and data collection in Semester 3, then analysis, writing and defence in Semester 4. Every graduate also produces a publishable academic paper and a policy brief.
MPhil graduates are prepared for research, policy-analysis and doctoral careers:
Every module is assessed using LUE’s standardised, criterion-referenced rubrics, moderated internally and, for capstone/thesis/dissertation components, externally examined. Marks are converted to a letter grade and grade point on LUE’s institution-wide scale. The award is classified as Distinction (a weighted average of 70% and above), Merit (60% – 69%) or Pass (50% – 59%).
Applications are considered by LUE’s Admissions Committee, and successful applicants receive a formal offer of a place, conditional upon final confirmation of qualifications and, where applicable, ESHEC accreditation status at the time of enrolment.
Have a question about this programme? Send us your details and the LUE Admissions Office will get back to you.
1.5-year postgraduate law degree with a 45-credit dissertation.
Four-year degree combining organisational and health psychology.
Faculty overview, programmes and the Dean’s message.
Contact the LUE Admissions Office for the application form and to confirm programme details before you apply.
