A development study is an interdisciplinary branch of social science. It talks about the individuals, organizations, practices, and knowledge that are involved in these processes of social, cultural, ecological, economic, and political change. The focus of the broad field of research known as "development studies" is "development." The term "development" is contentious since it covers two distinct sets of issues.

Development Studies is focused on enhancing development's normative and deliberate tools, methods, and policies while also criticizing these same things as well as more general change-related processes. In order to improve policies, approaches, and outcomes, development studies also involves critical reflection on the objectives of development and how it is carried out. Political economy analysis, or the use of economics' analytical tools to try to assess and explain political and social factors that either drive or hinder growth, has gained favor as a way to gauge the success or failure of reforms in recent years.

The basic feature of the course is its interdisciplinary framework, which incorporates the concepts and approaches from interrelated disciplines via concepts and theories of development, economics, community development, project management, resource management, environmental management, good governance, conflict management and others. These disciplines have practical bearing on understanding and implementing development process both at micro and macro levels. Providing knowledge and skills from such interdisciplinary subjects is fundamental for producing skilled and professional human capital catering the needs of the country. This academic program's goal is to develop such a human capital, which can deliver the development works effectively and efficiently.

Various colleges offer either bachelor's with four year duration or master’s degree with two year duration in Development Studies or both in Nepal, where National College is one of the most popular for Development Studies affiliated with Kathmandu University (KU). Located in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, National College offers Bachelors in Development Studies to prepare and mold students capable of catering to the future manpower needs of the country whereas Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSOA): Department of Development Studies located in Hattiban Lalitpur; a constitution branch of KU offers Masters in Development Studies and Bachelor in Community Development. Also, Camad College located in Tinkinu, Kathmandu offers a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies in affiliation to Pokhara University followed by Pokhara University School of Development and Social Engineering which offers both Bachelor’s and a Master's Degree. Likewise, Tribhuvan University Department of Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies located in Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu also offers a Master’s degree program in Development Studies which is designed to strengthen their analytical and practical skills. And, last but not the least, College of Development Studies (CDS) located in Old Baneshwar, Kathmandu offers Masters in Development Studies (MDevS) in affiliation with Purbanchal University. CDS has been delivering Master in Development Studies with efficient academic outputs and consistency with research and quality educational outcomes. So, here is the list of top Development Studies Colleges in Nepal:

1. National College, Center for Development Studies
National College, Center for Development Studies, was established in 1999 by a group of experienced and dedicated academicians for providing quality and need based education in a highly congenial academic environment. The broad objective of the college is to prepare and mould students capable of catering to the future manpower needs of the country.

National College  offers three unique programs namely Bachelor in Development Studies (BDevS) since 1999, Bachelor in Development Finance (BDFin) since 2006, and Bachelor of Social Sciences (BoSS) since 2013. The courses are affiliated to Kathmandu University (KU). The course has a semester-based structure with four year duration.

Address: Pragati Tole, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone no.: 01-4520871, 4540410

2. Camad College
Camad College, established in 2009 under the leadership and initiatives of a group of reputed academicians, educationists, experts, and professionals from various fields of administration, management, and development is a premier academic institution in Nepal.

Camad College offers Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies is affiliated with Pokhara. It places a significant emphasis on providing students with the kind of well-rounded education that is necessary for them to compete worldwide, delivered by highly qualified and experienced educators.

Address: Gairigaun, Tinkune, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone no.: 01-4112191

3. Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSOA), Department of Development Studies
Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSOA) was founded in 1996. It is one of the seven Schools at the University established to impart education in liberal arts, music, media and social sciences with the aim of producing able professionals that can contribute to the development of the nation. Centre for Art and Design (KU Art + Design) is dedicated towards building a test result in fine arts education in Nepal. Understanding the need for quality and fine art education in Nepal, Kathmandu University established the Art and Design program in 2003 under the provision of School of Arts.

Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSOA), Department of Development Studies offers various Bachelors and Masters Degree courses such as Bachelor in Community Development, Bachelor in Economics, Masters in Development Studies, Master in Human and Natural Resources Studies and Master in Urban Studies (MUS)

Address: Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal
Phone no.: 01-5913306, 5913294

4. Tribhuvan University Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies
The Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (CPDS) program at  from Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (Tribhuvan University) is a multidisciplinary Masters program that integrates key ideas and competencies from the social sciences, humanities, environmental sciences, and philosophy to provide a thorough understanding of the complex phenomenon. A successful completion of 62 credit hours is required to obtain the degree of M.A. in Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (CPDS). The program is a collaboration between University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway; University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka; Eastern University, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka and Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (DCPDS) offers ample opportunities to the competent and needy students, which include scholarship and incentives for female and the underprivileged, and support for mini-research, fieldwork and internship.

Address: Mid Baneshwor, Kathmandu
Phone no.: 4462988

5. Pokhara University School of Development and Social Engineering
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Pokhara University established the School of Development and Social Engineering (SDSE) with the mission of "Development Leadership for the Future" to oversee the component programs of Pokhara University. It aims to teach, learn, and conduct research on the philosophy, theories, and practices of development and society as well as to provide training on development and societal transformation.
It offers courses as Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies (BDevS), Bachelor of English and Communication Studies (BECS), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship Development (BED), Master of Development Studies (MDEVS), Master of Population Gender and Development (MPGD).

Address: Dhungepatan, Pokhara, Nepal
Phone no.: 061-504038

6. College of Development Studies, Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu
College of Development Studies (CDS), located at Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu, offers Masters in Development Studies (MDevS) in affiliation with Purbanchal University. CDS has been delivering Master in Development Studies with efficient academic outputs and consistency with research and quality educational outcomes. Master in Development Studies (MDevS) program covers both conceptual theory and applied development practices. The general objective of MDevS program is to understand development as an outcome of complex social, economic and political processes at micro-and macro-level. While some of the courses theoretically explore why and how societies, regions and communities change, others focus on how governments, NGOs, international donors, and other development agencies intervene in an order to facilitate change.

Address: Basuki Marga, Old Baneshwar, Kathmandu 31 (Global College)
Phone: 01-4488312, 9801904907
Web: cds.edu.np