The Centre for Development Studies is an academic unit of the School of the Environment and Society that provides postgraduate courses in international development, including a suite of MSc degree programmes, many of them in conjunction with other schools or departments in Swansea University. CDS is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest development studies centres and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003-04.

Research in the Centre focuses on the social and political dimensions of development and current research foci include health and social policy, civil society and development, rural livelihoods, resource management, international migration and the social dimensions of conflict.

Research and teaching in the Centre have a strong applied character and students have a good record of securing relevant post-qualification employment. Staff in the Centre work closely with their peers in development organisations, including multilateral institutions, bilateral donors and non-governmental organisations, both here in the UK and overseas.

According to the results of the latest UK Research Assessment Exercise released on 18 December 2008, CDS produced world-leading research over the 2001-2007 period. Overall, 70% of our research over this period was judged to be of international significance (ie judged to be internationally recognised, internationally excellent or world-leading).