Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies (BDevS)

Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies (BDevS) at SDSE Pokhara University

The Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies (BDevS) is an undergraduate program offered by the School of Development and Social Engineering (SDSE), Pokhara University, a constituent school under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The school is located at Dhungepatan, Pokhara.

BDevS approaches development through interconnected social, economic, political, environmental, population, and gender perspectives. Its academic direction combines development theory with policy, governance, research, and community-oriented study rather than treating development as a single-discipline subject.

Course at a Glance

What BDevS Studies

The program examines how development is shaped by institutions, public policy, society, population, gender, governance, and environmental conditions. Research and analytical study are also part of its academic orientation.

Key study areas include:

• development theory and practice;

• population studies;

• gender perspectives in development;

• governance;

• environmental issues;

• development policy;

• research methods;

• social analysis;

• data use and interpretation; and

• community-based learning.

This combination allows students to study development issues from several viewpoints instead of reducing them to economic change alone.

Who May Consider BDevS?

BDevS may suit students interested in understanding how public policy, communities, institutions, population change, gender, governance, and environmental concerns interact with development.

The program also involves research, reading, writing, analysis, presentation, and field-oriented academic work. Students who are comfortable examining social issues from different disciplinary perspectives may find the course aligned with their academic interests.

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed +2, PCL, or an equivalent qualification in any discipline.

For BDevS under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the academic requirement is:

• minimum D grade in each subject of Grade 12; or

• minimum D+ grade in each subject of Grades 11 and 12.

Admission Process

Admission follows Pokhara University’s undergraduate selection process. Applicants meeting the academic requirement take an entrance examination, and admission is merit-based.

The general undergraduate admission process includes application submission, the entrance examination, publication of the merit position, and completion of enrollment requirements by selected applicants.

Academic and Learning Approach

Development studies at SDSE uses an interdisciplinary form of learning. For BDevS, this means connecting conceptual study with research, policy interpretation, social inquiry, and field-based academic work.

Learning activities may include:

• lectures and guided reading;

• seminars and presentations;

• research-methods exercises;

• data analysis;

• literature review;

• field exposure;

• community-based study;

• organization-related assignments;

• case analysis; and

• report and academic writing.

The emphasis on research and field contexts is relevant to a course that deals with development problems through social, policy, population, gender, governance, and environmental perspectives.

Research and Analytical Skills

BDevS includes research methods and analytical study within its academic focus. Students work with development questions that require evidence, interpretation, and an understanding of how different social and institutional factors relate to one another.

Through this work, students may develop skills in:

• development issue analysis;

• research and information gathering;

• interpretation of social and development data;

• policy reading and analysis;

• academic and report writing;

• presentation of findings;

• community-oriented inquiry; and

• examining development questions from multiple perspectives.

These abilities depend on the student’s coursework, participation, research practice, and academic performance.

Career Direction

Development studies can connect with organizations and work areas concerned with public policy, social development, community programs, research, and development planning.

BDevS graduates may consider opportunities in areas such as:

• government and public-sector development work;

• non-governmental organizations;

• international non-governmental organizations;

• research institutions and research projects;

• community development programs;

• development-related project work; and

• policy and social research support.

Career outcomes depend on individual skills, academic performance, experience, additional qualifications, and the requirements of each employer or position.

Further Academic Direction

The School of Development and Social Engineering also offers the Master of Development Studies (MDEVS), providing a graduate-level academic route within development studies. Its graduate curriculum covers areas such as development theory, public policy, planning, research, natural resources, development program management, and specialized development themes.

For BDevS students considering postgraduate study, their choice of further education can depend on the area they want to pursue, such as development studies, policy, research, population, gender, planning, or another related academic field.

Understanding the Course Before Applying

BDevS is centered on development as a social, institutional, policy, and research subject. Students considering the program should look closely at whether they are interested in studying development through population, gender, governance, environment, policy, research, and community contexts.

Its interdisciplinary character is one of the main distinctions of the course: students are expected to work across several connected areas rather than concentrate on one narrow discipline.