Program Overview

Master of Commerce in Development Finance

The Master of Commerce in Development Finance is a comprehensive programme designed to equip students with the expertise to bridge the financing gap for sustainable development. Through a blend of lectures, case studies, and expert interactions, students will develop the skills to design innovative financial solutions and drive responsible investment strategies across Africa.

Programme Overview

The programme is broken down into four main blocks spread over a two-year cycle. It comprises nine courses, an elective, and a research report.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of development finance, including:

• Quantitative Methods in Development Finance
• Issues in Development Finance
• Micro-enterprise Finance
• Research Methods
• Public Sector Finance
• Project Finance
• International Finance for Development
• Responsible Investment
• Innovative Finance

Entrance Requirements

To be eligible for the programme, students must have:

• A minimum NQF level 8 (postgraduate degree) qualification in a finance-related field
• Or an NQF 8 in a non-finance field with at least three years of finance-related work experience
• Fluency in spoken and written English

Who Should Apply

The programme is suitable for:

• Development finance practitioners
• Civil servants
• Staff of development finance institutions
• Staff of other financial institutions
• Entrepreneurs
• Staff of NGOs
• Private sector employees

Programme Format and Dates

The programme is modular, with two blocks of classes per year, each lasting 2-3 weeks. The classes are held at the UCT GSB Breakwater campus in Cape Town.

Fees and Funding

The programme fee is R 225 830, and an application fee of 1000 ZAR / 100 USD is required. While the university does not offer scholarships for this programme, students can explore other funding options.

Research Areas

The programme focuses on development finance, with research areas including:

• Development finance institutions
• Sustainable development
• Responsible investment
• Innovative finance
• Emerging markets

Faculty and Staff

The programme is led by experienced faculty and staff, including:

• Prof Latif Alhassan, Programme Director
• Ms Samantha Van Der Ross, Programme Coordinator (Coursework)
• Ms Modiehi Sempu, Programme Coordinator
• Mr Derek Naude, Head: Recruitment and Admissions

Alumni Testimonials

The programme has a strong track record of producing graduates who are making a meaningful impact in the field of development finance. Alumni have praised the programme for providing them with the skills and knowledge to create sustainable financial solutions for emerging economies.

Why Choose This Programme

The Master of Commerce in Development Finance offers:

• Meaningful impact: The programme equips students with the skills to create strategies that drive sustainable development.
• Emerging markets expertise: The university has over five decades of academic excellence and a deep understanding of emerging markets.
• Professional credibility: The programme builds the credibility needed to advance within an organization and influence policy and investment decisions.
• Innovation in finance: The programme provides students with the knowledge to navigate and contribute to the rapidly evolving financial landscape.