About Us
Development studies prepares students for critical thinking on complex and multidimensional issues and problems affecting human society. More specifically, Development Studies as a field aims to foster understanding of the historical and current socio-economic, political, environmental facets of societal change at national, regional and global level. Further, the field puts forward (potential) approaches to development. Therefore, this field is key to problem-solving and policy formulation processes concerning economic, human and sustainable development vis-à-vis key in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals at a global level and at the local level contributing to the achievement of National Development Plans (NDPs).
The Development Studies Department offers quality and competitive undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It is an interdisciplinary Department whose mission is to not only provide high quality teaching, but also research, consultancy and public service in different aspects of human and sustainable development.
Founded in 1975, the Department which is in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) started as a service department, teaching a compulsory first year course which was known as ‘African Development Studies’. The service function of the Department was later extended to the School of Natural Sciences where students were also required to take a similar course. In 1976, students in HSS were for the first time offered the possibility of pursuing a four year Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Development Studies. In the years that followed, a Master of Arts degree was included in the Department’s programmes catalogue and more recently, the Department began to offer a PhD programme. The PhD programme in Development Studies was one of the first to be offered in Zambia absorbing graduates from UNZA and other universities in-country and abroad.
The Department has now emerged as the biggest in the School of HSS, currently with a total annual enrollment of approximately 5000 students at the undergraduate level alone taking courses either as majors or minors.
Career opportunities
The labour market in Zambia (and abroad) has come to recognise and appreciate the expertise possessed by Development Studies graduates as essential to the effective pursuance of economic, human and sustainable development.
Many Development Studies graduates have been traditionally absorbed as key players in various Government Ministries and Departments, and now increasingly by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) and the private sector, including banks (see figure below). Multilateral and international organisations such as those in the United Nation, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and embassies have also increasingly employed and appreciated the knowledge and skills Development Studies graduates possess.
Fig. 1 Career opportunities for Development Studies graduates
Student life
The University of Zambia Development Studies Association (UNZADESA), is a student-led organisation focused on promoting development studies within the University of Zambia and beyond. They conduct various activities to empower students and contribute to national development, including engagement in debates in the multi-disciplinary field and service project learning.
Fig 2. 2026 Bachelor programme graduands Livingstone trip
Contact us
Location
University of Zambia - Main Campus
Plot 64, Great East Road, Lusaka
2nd floor, Humanities and Social Sciences
Prof. Vincent Kanyamuna I Head of Department
dev.hod@unza.ac.zm
Departmental Overview
Contact Details
