MASTER OF COMMERCE IN DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
Shape the future of Development Finance
Crafted for future leaders aiming to mobilize and align financial resources for sustainable development in emerging markets.
MCOM in Development Finance Term Dates
MCOM Block Dates 2027 / 2028
| Course Dates | Delivery Method | |
| Block 1 | 1 - 22 March 2027 | In-person |
| Block 2 | 2 - 25 August 2027 | In-person |
| Block 3 | 1 - 10 February 2028 | In-person |
MCOM in Development Finance Format and Delivery
The MCom in Development Finance is a rigorous modular programme which is taken over two years. The programme covers nine compulsory core courses and students must choose 1 elective and deliver a research report.
Students attend classes at the UCT GSB Breakwater campus in Cape Town twice a year of between 2–-3 weeks each during February/March and in August. Lectures are structured to cover theories in development finance, development finance practice and real-life case studies in development finance.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
This programme is broken down into 4 main blocks spreading over a two year cycle.
| Year 1: Block 1 (1 - 22 March) | Year 1: Block 2 (2 - 25 August) | Year 2: Block 3 (1 - 10 February 2028) |
|
Lecture sessions for 4 courses |
Examines for the 4 courses in Block 1 | Lecture sessions for two courses (1 core and 1 elective) |
|
Final examination during the block (after 2 days' break for revision) |
Final examination during the block (after 2 days' break for revision) | Final examination during the block (after 2 days' break for revision) |
| Submit assignment for the four courses at monthly intervals before the 2nd block (in August) | Submit assignment for the four courses at monthly intervals before the 3rd block (in Februray) | Submit assignment for the two courses at monthly intervals after the third block |
| Registration and completion of a 60-credit minor dissertation between February and December 2028 |
*Please note: Course designs are updated and adapted annually, therefore the topics listed for each course are a guideline as to what students can expect will be covered on each course. A minimum of 13 students are required in order to run any elective.
PRE-READING PREPARATION
Before arriving for the contact sessions at the GSB, students are expected to read all prescribed material.
CONTACT / BLOCK SESSIONS
Students are required to attend and fully participate in all contact sessions at the GSB during the three block periods. The lectures are designed to facilitate interactions and knowledge sharing among students to draw on the diverse experiences of the student profile and enrich the theoretical and practical insights provided by the lecturer.
During block sessions, students are allocated into syndicate groups and rooms for after-lecture discussions during evenings.
INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT
There are two assessments for each course (except for research methods), made up of invigilated final examination (during block sessions) and individual assignment submitted post-block. Students are required to submit a research proposal (assignment) as the only assessment for the research methods course.