MCom in Development Finance (2024)

BUILDING CAPACITY TO MOBILIZE & ALIGN FINANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Overview

Entrance Criteria

How to Apply

Curriculum

Learn the processes and strategies for mobilizing and aligning finance for development (F4D)

Mobilizing (sourcing) & aligning (re-structuring) financial resources for sustainability

In response to the challenge of coordinating the roles of multiple stakeholders to bridge the financing gap for sustainable development in emerging economies, the Master of Commerce Degree in Development Finance (MDevFin) programme offered by the Development Finance Centre (DEFIC) is designed to build capacity on how to design innovative financial instruments and the approaches to incorporating responsible investment strategies in the allocation of funds for impact and sustainability. This is achieved through a blend of traditional lecture sessions with case studies and interaction with professional experts from development finance institutions, public and private sector actors throughout Africa.

The programme provides institutional learning outcomes which will ensure that funds channelled through development projects can provide optimal and sustainable outcomes that can enhance the development of emerging economies. The programme covers 10 courses and 60-credit minor dissertation dedicated to uncovering insights on the ecosystem of development finance covering the role, mechanisms/instruments and impact of various stakeholders involved in mobilization and aligning of finance for sustainability.

*Application & Course fees are provisional for 2025, and are subject to annual UCT council approval.If you would like more information on fees for this programme, click here.

Delivery Method: Face to Face

Location:Cape Town

Duration:2 Years

Programme Start Date:Monday, 10 March 2025

Application Period:1 May - 31 October 2024

Programme Fee:R 212 020

Application Fee:1000ZAR / 100USD

uct gsb MCOM in Development Finance Overview

Term Dates

Learn more about the annual term dates for the UCT GSB MCom in Development Finance programme.

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The MCom in Development Finance at the UCT GSB is delivered over a two year period. Explore the programme format and delivery.

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Entrance Requirements

Learn more about which attributes and qualifications are required for the UCT GSB MCom in Development Finance.

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How to Apply

A step-by-step guide on how to apply for the UCT GSB MCom in Development Finance programme.

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Curriculum Overview

The MCom in Development Finance is broken down into four main blocks spreading over a two year cycle comprising nine courses, an elective and a research report.

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Funding

The UCT GSB is committed to broadening access to postgraduate education through funding and scholarship opportunities. Explore funding options available to MBA candidates.

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WHAT OUR ALUMNI SAY

"I chose the programme because I wanted to guide my career towards more impactful work, by using the existing financial institutions to work towards developing communities, and elevating alleviating the scourge of poverty within our continent"

- Sechaba Lengane, MCom in Development Finance student

"The degree has taught us a lot from a theoretical perspective and it has given us the tools to go and implement the agendas and dreams we have for the African continent"

- Siliziwe Mafika, MCom in Development Finance student

"The highlight of the programme was the networking, getting to interact with people from all over Africa and all over the world"

- Robinson Gezimati, MCom in Development Finance alumnus

INFLUENCE DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN EMERGING MARKETS

The UCT GSB MCom in Development Finance is the first to reflect development finance activities in the continent

Our MCom in Development Finance will give you the ability to conduct high-level research and engage in the policy decision-making process in development finance institutions, government, NGOs and the private sector.

As your financial skills grow, you will gain a solid understanding of application in the international development context and gain the expertise to start initial investments that can thrive in economically challenging markets and provide sustainable outcomes.

About UCT GSB MCOM in Development Finance

180+

Female graduates

55%

Females student population

10+

Peer-reviewed publications from
student dissertations >

15+

Representation from 15+ Africa countries outside South Africa.>

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

As a professional discipline, Development Finance is widely practised today across a broad range of organisations and contexts. However, there is a shortage of development finance experts in Africa, where this kind of knowledge is needed most.

Development finance skills can be useful in providing optimum financial outcomes that enhance the design and implementation of reforms and capacity-buildingprogrammesadopted by development finance institutions, governments, the private sector andNGOs.

You don’t need to be working in a development finance institution to benefit from this degree. These skills are also widely used by people in other contexts, including banking and financial services.

Applicants to this programme are typically:

  • development finance practitioners
  • civil servants
  • staff of development finance institutions
  • staff of other financial institutions
  • entrepreneurs
  • staff of NGOs
  • employed in the private sector

Yes! Our MCom in Development Finance, presented through DEFIC, is a partnership programme between the GSB and the Africagrowth Institute (AGI), an independent organisation providing research and consulting on growth opportunities in Africa.

The GSB is one of a small number of universities world-wide offering this degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Development Finance(CIDEF). CIDEF is a global professional membership and certification body for development finance specialists.

DEFIC is an active member of the CIDEF global development finance network with members from major institutions including the African Development Bank, Development Bank of South Africa, Afreximbank, AERC, Industrial Development Corporation, SADC-DFRC, KPMG and the South African National Treasury, to name just a few.

Click herefor more information on DEFIC.

Yes! The MCom in Development Finance intake often includes up to 60% international students. This provides graduates with a professional network of practitioners in Africa and beyond.

Upon completion of the degree you will become a member of the Chartered Institute of Development Finance.

In addition, you when you graduate you will join the wider GSB alumni network – a dynamic forum that comprises more than 23 000 past GSB students in 68 countries worldwide. Many of the GSB’s alumni hold key positions in top companies or have started their own successful businesses. Alumni play a vital role in supporting and encouraging more recent graduates to follow in their footsteps and GSB students who find employment after graduation – particularly internationally – frequently do so through alumni contacts.

MCom in Development Finance (1)

MEET THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

PROFESSOR LATIF ALHASSAN

Abdul Latif Alhassan (PhD) is aProfessor in Development and Insurance Finance at the Development Finance Centre (DEFIC), UCT GSB. He teaches research methodology and banking and finance in emerging markets courses on the Master of Commerce and Postgraduate Diploma in Development Finance programmes respectively. He is the Head of Minor Dissertation for students during the research year of the programme. Within the UCT GSB, he chairs the Postgraduate Committee (PGC) and is a member of the University Panel on Responsible Investments (UPRI) and the Board for Graduate Studies (BfGS).

UPCOMING EVENTS

Master of Commerce Degree in Development Finance (MDevFin) Info Session

Thursday, 23 May 2024

18:00 (GMT+2)

Join us for an information session webinar about the Master of Commerce degree in Development Finance (MDevFin) at the UCT Graduate School of Business.

Learn moreRSVP

IDEAS EXCHANGE

News and thought leadership from Africa’s top business school

MCom in Development Finance (2)

Professor Nicholas Biekpe inducted into prestigious UCT College of Fellows

Induction into the UCT College of Fellows is one of the highest accolades an academic staff member can receive. The fellowship is a reward to academic staff members for their years of commitment and dedication to their work.

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Posted on 25October2022 by UCT GSB Press Office

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Emerging Market Business

UCT team wins Oxford Map the System competition

Following their win at the regional final hosted by the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), Finclusive was awarded first place for their project at the University of Oxford’s (UO) Map the System (MTS) competition, which took place from 17 to 20 June.

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Posted on 1July2022 by UCT GSB Press Office

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Emerging Market Business

All eyes on DFIs as Africa looks to economic recovery

DFIs can be the catalysts for a stronger and more inclusive continent, but they need to expand their remit to include a focus on SMEs as a key priority.

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Posted on 14May2021 by Nicholas Biekpe

MCom in Development Finance (5)

UCT GSB graduate is banking on his country’s future

MCom alumnus, Mutemwa Ushewokunze, has returned to Zimbabwe after 20 years abroad, to help take the country’s banking sector to the next tech level.

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Posted on 6May2021 by UCT GSB Press Office

MCom in Development Finance (6)

Emerging Market Business

The role of development finance in rebuilding South Africa’s economy post-COVID-19

The global COVID-19 pandemic has set back developing countries especially, but it also offers an opportunity to rethink their development path.

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Posted on 15June2020 by Mundia Kabinga

MCom in Development Finance (7)

COVID-19

Coronavirus - an excuse to downgrade African countries deep into junk

A number of rating agencies have downgraded emerging market economies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their actions have raised the question: why do so during a crisis?

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Posted on 3May2020 by Misheck Mutize

MCom in Development Finance (8)

Emerging Market Business

Three winning ways to tackle youth unemployment through development finance

Development finance is an underutilised tool that can be directed towards tackling South Africa’s unacceptably high youth unemployment beyond the remit of mainstream finance.

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Posted on 1June2019 by Xolisa Dhlamini

MCom in Development Finance (9)

Emerging Market Business

Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) can lead SA’s economic recovery

While government has identified DFIs as a key partner in delivering an economic turnaround — these institutions lack capacity and resources to do their jobs effectively. Fixing this will be a necessity.

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Posted on 4November2018 by Nicholas Biekpe

Start your application journey here
MCom in Development Finance (2024)

FAQs

What is a master's in development finance? ›

In response to the challenge of coordinating the roles of multiple stakeholders to bridge the financing gap for sustainable development in emerging economies, the Master of Commerce Degree in Development Finance (MDevFin) programme offered by the Development Finance Centre (DEFIC) is designed to build capacity on how ...

Which M.Com specialisation is best? ›

The most popular specializations are Accounting and Finance, Business Management, and Economics. However, there are other lesser-known specializations such as Marketing, International Business, and Human Resource Management that you can explore.

What is meant by development finance? ›

Development finance is the efforts of local communities to support, encourage and catalyze expansion through public and private investment in physical development, redevelopment and/or business and industry.

What is development finance in development studies? ›

Development finance is the invisible glue that connects public and private financing for projects that have social, economic and environmental outcomes. These include improved infrastructure, better waste management and sanitation, financial inclusion, clean energy and sustainable agriculture.

Is it a good idea to get a masters in finance? ›

A master's degree offers a great way to get a foothold in finance and be a key player within any business. You can even explore different industries, finding a plethora of opportunities everywhere: hospitality, tech, healthcare, logistics, etc.

Will a masters in finance get me a job? ›

There are a variety of different jobs that you may consider pursuing once you obtain your master's degree in finance, including those in corporate finance, personal finance and public finance. Here are overviews of five different jobs in the finance sector that you may enjoy.

Which job is best for M.Com graduates? ›

Career Options After M.Com
  • Cost Accountant. A Cost Accountant is a financial expert who is involved in evaluating the cost associated with a service or its manufacturing. ...
  • Tax Consultant. ...
  • Investment Banker. ...
  • Financial Analyst. ...
  • Chartered Accountant. ...
  • Corporate Secretary. ...
  • Stock Broker. ...
  • Jobs after M Com and Salary.

Which M.Com specialisation is best on Quora? ›

Do u like to work with numbers or products. If you prefer first option do financial analysis. If you prefer second jump into marketing management.

Is M.Com considered as master's in Canada? ›

M.Com from India is considered as Post Graduate Diploma in Canada.

How does development finance work? ›

Unlike regular home or business mortgages, development loans are paid out in stages from an agreed loan pool. Lenders will typically limit the funds they are willing to provide to no more than 70% of land purchase costs, and up to 90% of the construction costs.

What is the core of development finance? ›

Development finance supports global public goods such as physical infrastructure, nurtures emerging industries such as renewable energy, and uses concessional finance to further policy goals such as economic diversification, public health, climate change mitigation and adaptation.

What are the advantages of development finance institutions? ›

DFIs' involvement can serve to mitigate risk, serving as a public guarantee in countries and sectors where private sector actors would be unwilling to operate alone. Their public status allows DFIs to make longer maturity loans at good interest rates, advantageous guarantees and undertake high-risk equity investment.

What are the 3 main types of development in development studies? ›

Development is a broad concept that entails social, economic, political and human development. Human development constitutes the foundation on which the first three concepts are based. According to Burkey (1993:38), economic and political development must translate into social development.

What is the role of finance in the development? ›

Finance is the paid financing of capital between various sectors of the economy, giving capital support to industrial upgrading as well as economic reorganisation, and serving as a crucial cornerstone for the market economy's long-term development.

What are the sources of development finance? ›

The common financing sources used in developing economies can be classified into four categories: Family and Friends, Equity Providers, Debt Providers and Institutional Investors.

What is the meaning of Masters in Development Studies? ›

The Masters in Development Studies is designed to provide an understanding of critical perspectives on development issues for fulfilling the need for quality human resources.

What is the difference between MBA and MF? ›

Along with several economic courses, MBA programs also include courses unrelated to finance, like leadership, marketing and entrepreneurship. An MF curriculum has courses that are less generalized and more focused on finance-related concepts, like mathematics, investments, analysis and valuation. Related: MBA vs.

Is a Masters in Economic Development worth it? ›

A master's degree in economics can be a game-changer in today's job market. Beyond the promising career opportunities and competitive salaries, getting a master's in economics unlocks skills and opportunities that make this degree genuinely worthwhile.

What is the difference between a masters in finance and a Masters in applied finance? ›

The main difference between finance and applied finance is that finance focuses on the theory of financial concepts, while applied finance uses these concepts to solve real-world problems.

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