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MASTER OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Program Structure

The 18-month long MDS program consists of 64 credits and spanning over 3 semesters. Each semester runs over 16 weeks of which 12 weeks is for class teaching, 1 week break for semester final examination preparation, and 3 weeks for holding the Semester final examination.

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

This semester provides students the opportunity to specialize (Major) in certain areas by taking three courses in their chosen area along with an eight credit thesis or five courses without thesis. The Area of specialization includes a. Development Economics, b. Public Policy Analysis, c. Social Development, and d. Natural Resource Management. The Academic Committee, however, on the basis of faculty availability and number of applicants decides the offering of any particular Major in the semester.

The eligible student will write a research paper/field report in this semester. On the basis of the project proposal, a faculty member will be appointed as academic supervisor to guide the student in completing the research paper/field report. The normal length of the research paper/field report is 8,000 to 10,000 words. Each student will sit for a comprehensive examination, in addition to the specialized courses, at the end of the final semester.

Major (Development Economics)

Major (Public Policy Analysis)

Major (Natural Resource Management)

Major (Social Development)

Major (Development Management)

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Eligibility for Application

Admission is open to individuals who have at least a Bachelor with Honors Degree (3/4 Years) from any recognized university or a four/five-year BE/MBBS/BDS degree from Engineering Universities/Colleges/Medical Colleges. A Master degree is compulsory for B.A. (Pass) applicants. A candidate already having one master’s degree is also eligible to apply. Candidates with Third Division/Class or CGPA below 2.50 at any level of their academic career are not eligible to apply. (Note: The University shall determine equivalence of degrees awarded by the private and foreign universities.)

Application Procedure

Prospective students shall apply in the prescribed form, obtained from the Website of the Department of Development Studies (www.du.ac.bd/body/DVS), by paying Taka 1500 (one thousand five hundred). All the necessary papers mentioned in the application form must be submitted with the application form as per advertisement. Successful applicants will be selected on the basis of their performance in the Qualifying Examination. The Qualifying Examination will be of 100 marks of which 80 marks will be on written test and 20 marks on viva-voce examination.

Written Test: The written test will be comprised of the following two parts:

Quantitative Aptitude (10 Marks): The Quantitative Aptitude part contains 20 MCQ questions to test candidates’ mathematical ability on arithmetic, algebra and geometry. The questions are mostly based on quantitative section of GMAT/GRE.

Language, Communication and Writing Skill (70 Marks): This section is composed of two questions – i. reading comprehension, and ii. Analysis of Issue/Argument - which will test the candidate’s analytical ability as well as their understanding of English. The writing ability will be assessed through - i. Translation, ii. Précis writing, iii. Essay writing on a contemporary development topic, and iv. Data table/ chart analysis.

Duration: The duration of the written test will be 2 hours of which 60 minutes for MCQ Part (Quantitative Aptitude and Grammar) and 1 hour for Descriptive Part (Language, Communication, and Writing Skill).

Viva Voce: This will test the speaking ability of the candidate and will also emphasize on professional experience.

Timeline of Application and registration

Other Important Features

1. 0.25 mark will be deducted for each incorrect MCQ. Unanswered MCQ Question will earn ‘0’ Mark.
2. Candidates will not be considered to be eligible for admission if he/she does not obtain Minimum Qualifying Marks in each of the three parts of the test.
3. All answers must be given in the ANSWER SHEET provided.
4. Each MCQ question will be followed by four or five answer choices. You have to select only one answer for each question and completely darken the corresponding circle in the OMR SHEET. Please use 2B pencil so that the letter cannot be seen. A Sample Question:
5. You should find out seat plan for the written test from the Department Office one day prior to the test day during the office hours.
6. Report to your designated examination hall at 9:30 a.m. on the day of Written Test

Admission of Qualified Candidates: Candidates finally qualified for the MDS program shall obtain the prescribed ‘University Admission Form’ from the Department office and submit the filled-in form and required documents, on payment of requisite fees, as determined by the Department. On fulfillment of the procedure, a candidate will be enrolled & registered to the University as a student of MDS program.