Bachelor in Development Studies (BDevS)

Bachelor in Development Studies (BDevS) at National College

Bachelor in Development Studies (BDevS) is a four-year, 126-credit interdisciplinary undergraduate program offered by National College in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, under Kathmandu University. The course brings together economics, sociology, environmental studies, development management, research methods, governance, policy, climate, community development, and related areas. Students progress from foundational development concepts to quantitative and qualitative research, GIS, development policy, project management, internship, proposal writing, and independent project work.

Quick Highlights

Course Overview

BDevS studies development as a social, economic, political, institutional, and environmental process. The program examines the policies, actions, and interventions connected with social change and human well-being while giving particular attention to settings where resources and institutions are limited.

The curriculum is interdisciplinary. Economics is studied alongside sociology, environmental concerns, development management, governance, research, and community issues. This allows students to examine development problems from more than one academic perspective.

The course addresses areas such as poverty and inequality, livelihoods, gender and inclusion, climate change, urban development, community development, public policy, political economy, environmental assessment, food security, and sustainable development.

Research is integrated throughout the degree through statistics, quantitative research, qualitative research, GIS, proposal writing, and final project work.

Who May Consider BDevS?

BDevS may suit students interested in development, social change, economics, public policy, environment, community issues, governance, sustainability, and research.

The course is particularly relevant to students who prefer an interdisciplinary degree rather than concentrating exclusively on economics, sociology, environmental studies, or management. Its curriculum requires students to work across these areas and examine how they interact in development contexts.

Students should also expect research-oriented academic work, including quantitative methods, qualitative methods, field engagement, proposal preparation, and independent project work.

Eligibility

Applicants require a 10+2 or equivalent qualification in any discipline with:

• Minimum 45% aggregate or minimum 2.0 GPA

• Minimum D+ in all subjects

Admission and final eligibility remain governed by the applicable rules and regulations of Kathmandu University.

Admission Process and KUSAAT

Admission to BDevS follows the Kathmandu University School of Arts admission process. Applicants take the Kathmandu University School of Arts' Admission Test (KUSAAT), followed by an interview.

KUSAAT includes General Knowledge, Mathematics, English, and Nepali components. Successful completion of the admission process is required for entry to the program under the applicable Kathmandu University rules.

Course Duration and Credit Structure

BDevS runs for four years across eight semesters and carries 126 credits.

BDevS Curriculum

First Year

The first year establishes foundations in development, economics, mathematics, environment, communication, statistics, and Nepalese society.

First-semester courses are:

• English I

• Mathematics for Development

• Microeconomics

• Concept and Theories of Development

• Introduction to Ecology and Environment

• Nepali I – Language and Contextual Writing

Second-semester courses are:

• Environment and Sustainable Development

• Academic Writing

• Macroeconomics

• Introductory Statistics

• Nepalese Culture and Society

• Nepali II – Development and Communication

Each semester carries 18 credits.

Second Year

The second year moves into research methods and more focused development questions.

Third-semester courses include Quantitative Research Methods, Climate Change and Society, Social Psychology, Sociology of Development, Community Development, and Health and Development.

The fourth semester includes Regional Integration and Development, GIS in Social Sciences, Gender, Inclusion and Social Justice, Governance and Development, Development Economics, and Cities, Growth and Development.

The second year carries 36 credits.

Third Year

Third-year study places greater emphasis on policy, political economy, applied research, environmental assessment, poverty, project management, and specialised electives.

The fifth semester includes:

• Political Economy

• Development Policy and Practices

• Social Entrepreneurship and Microfinance

• Data Science and Development

• Environment Assessment

• Elective I

The sixth semester includes:

• Project Management

• Research Methods – Qualitative

• Poverty, Inequality and Development

• Disaster Management

• Elective II

The third year carries 33 credits.

Fourth Year

The final year combines internship, research preparation, specialised study, and independent project work.

The seventh semester includes Internship, Research Planning & Proposal Writing, Subsistence Economy and Food Security, and Elective III.

The eighth semester consists of six-credit Project Work and Global North-South Perspectives on Development.

The fourth year carries 21 credits.

Elective Subjects

BDevS provides three elective groups.

Elective I includes Agriculture and Development, Tourism and Development, and Public Economics.

Elective II includes Non-Profit and Public Sector Management, Community Based Natural Resources Management, and Conflict Management and Development.

Elective III includes Urban Planning and Development, AI Innovation and Technology in Development, and Econometrics.

Research, Field Engagement and Project Work

Research develops progressively through the curriculum. Students encounter Introductory Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, GIS in Social Sciences, Data Science and Development, qualitative research methods, and Research Planning & Proposal Writing before undertaking final Project Work.

National College also integrates field engagement into its wider undergraduate learning environment. Field-based academic work supports experience with observation, information collection, social inquiry, and the application of research methods.

The final project carries six credits and forms the principal independent research component in the last semester.

Internship

Internship is included in the seventh semester as a three-credit component.

It appears after students have studied development economics, governance, development policy, project management, environmental assessment, research methods, poverty and inequality, and other development subjects. The internship therefore sits within the academic sequence rather than being separate from the curriculum.

Main Academic Areas

Across the eight semesters, BDevS covers connected areas including:

• Sustainable development

• Economics and development economics

• Sociology of development

• Community development

• Climate change and society

• Governance and development

• Gender, inclusion and social justice

• GIS in social sciences

• Political economy

• Development policy

• Poverty and inequality

• Environmental assessment

• Project management

• Disaster management

• Food security

• Quantitative and qualitative research

The course also addresses natural resource management, environmental assessment, community development, GIS, project management, and evaluation within its wider development orientation.

Scholarships and Research Support

National College has scholarship categories connected with academic performance, financial need, extracurricular participation, regional arrangements, and student research.

For BDevS, the scholarship framework includes the SAF Madanjeet Singh Scholarship for students from SAARC countries. College-wide support also includes Topper, Needy and Diligent, Merit-Based, ECA, KAS, and research-grant categories.

Scholarship eligibility and continuation depend on the conditions of the respective scholarship arrangement.

Career Areas

The BDevS academic background is relevant to work connected with development, policy, environment, community programs, and research.

Career areas identified for graduates include:

• Social and development organizations

• Environmental studies institutions

• Policy institutions

• Governmental organizations

• Non-governmental organizations

• NGOs and INGOs

• International organizations

Employment depends on the requirements of the position, recruitment process, individual qualifications, experience, and available opportunities. Completion of BDevS does not assure appointment to a particular role or organization.

Further Study Options

Areas identified for postgraduate study after BDevS include:

• Economics

• Development

• Management

• Social Work

• International Relations

• MBA

Admission to postgraduate study depends on the requirements of the university and program concerned.

Academic Evaluation and Degree Award

Eligibility, admission, curriculum administration, academic evaluation, examinations, results, and degree requirements operate under the applicable rules and regulations of Kathmandu University.

National College provides the teaching, research, field-engagement, internship, and project environment, while Kathmandu University governs the formal academic framework and degree award.

FAQ

What is BDevS?

BDevS stands for Bachelor in Development Studies. It is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program combining development, economics, sociology, environment, governance, research, and related areas.

How long is BDevS at National College?

The program runs for four years across eight semesters.

How many credits are required?

The curriculum carries 126 credits.

What is the eligibility for BDevS?

Applicants require 10+2 or equivalent in any discipline with at least 45% aggregate or 2.0 GPA and a minimum D+ in all subjects.

Is KUSAAT required?

Yes. Admission includes KUSAAT followed by an interview under the Kathmandu University admission process.

Does BDevS include an internship?

Yes. Internship is included in the seventh semester and carries three credits.

Does BDevS include project work?

Yes. The eighth semester includes six-credit Project Work.

What can students study after BDevS?

Identified further-study areas include Economics, Development, Management, Social Work, International Relations, and MBA programs.