School of Environmental Sciences
Institute of Rural Development Studies
Bachelor of Science with Honours in
Rural Development Studies
Degree Designation: B.Sc. (Hons) Rural Development Studies
Introduction
Rural Development Studies is an applied interdisciplinary field that examines the processes and conditions of development in rural communities, with attention to agricultural transformation, livelihood systems, rural infrastructure, social equity, community governance, and natural resource management. It draws on sociology, economics, agriculture, public health, and planning to understand and address rural poverty and underdevelopment.
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Rural Development Studies at Njala University prepares students to analyse rural development challenges and design, implement, and evaluate development interventions in rural Sierra Leone and beyond. Students gain knowledge in rural livelihoods, community-based development, agricultural extension, and participatory approaches that empower rural communities.
The majority of Sierra Leone's population lives in rural areas. Investing in the education of rural development professionals is investing directly in the welfare and prosperity of Sierra Leonean communities.
Rationale
Rural communities in Sierra Leone face persistent challenges including food insecurity, limited access to clean water and health services, poor infrastructure, and vulnerability to climate shocks. Addressing these challenges requires professionals who understand the socio-economic dynamics of rural life and can design effective, community-led development interventions.
This programme equips graduates to work with government ministries, international development agencies, NGOs, and community organisations in addressing the multi-dimensional nature of rural poverty and sustainable livelihoods in Sierra Leone and the broader West African region.
Aims, Goals & Objectives
The programme aims to produce graduates who understand the complexities of rural society, are skilled in participatory methods and community engagement, and can contribute to sustainable development in rural areas through research, planning, and practice.
Rural Livelihoods
Students analyse diverse rural livelihood systems and strategies to understand and address rural poverty.
Community Development
Students apply participatory approaches to empower communities in designing their own development pathways.
Agricultural Extension
Students learn agricultural extension methodologies to support smallholder farmers and improve rural productivity.
Rural Governance
Students study local government, community governance, and institutional frameworks for rural development.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Students develop skills in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for rural development programmes.
Target Group
This programme is open to students with backgrounds in the social sciences, agricultural sciences, biology, and geography who are committed to improving the lives of rural communities in Sierra Leone.
Intended career pathways:
- Rural development officers and community workers
- Agricultural extension officers and advisors
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security
- International NGOs and development agencies
- Rural planning and community-based organisations
- Postgraduate studies in development and rural sociology
Entry Requirements
General University Requirements:
Five credits at GCE "O" Level or WASSCE, including English Language, in not more than two (2) sittings.
Departmental Requirements:
At least grade 6 or better in five subjects, including at least two from: Biology, Geography, Economics, Agriculture, Social Studies, Mathematics, or History.
Programme Structure
The programme is organised into eight semesters with a minimum of 126 credit hours for graduation, distributed as follows:
📅 First Year Courses
| Code | Semester 1 Course | Cr. Hrs | Code | Semester 2 Course | Cr. Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 101 | Cell Biology, Genetics, Physiology & Microbiology | 3 | BIOL 102 | Introduction to Botany and Zoology | 3 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3 | CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| MATHS 121 | Pre-Calculus | 3 | MATHS 122 | Introduction to Calculus, Applied Maths & Statistics | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | Forces, Motion and Thermal Physics | 3 | PHYS 102 | Radiation and Optics | 3 |
| GEOG 101 | Introduction to Physical Geography | 3 | GEOG 102 | Intro. to Human Geography & Geography of Sierra Leone | 3 |
| GEST 111 | English Language | 2 | GEST 112 | English Language | 2 |
| ICT 121 | Information & Communication Technology | 3 | ICT 122 | Information & Communication Technology | 3 |
| Semester 1 Total | 20 | Semester 2 Total | 20 | ||
📅 Second Year Courses
| Code | Semester 1 Course | Cr. Hrs | Code | Semester 2 Course | Cr. Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDS 211 | Introduction to Rural Development Studies | 3 | RDS 217 | Rural Infrastructure and Housing | 3 |
| RDS 212 | Rural Sociology and Community Organisation | 3 | RDS 218 | Food Security and Nutrition | 3 |
| RDS 213 | Principles of Agriculture and Farming Systems | 3 | RDS 219 | Gender and Rural Development | 3 |
| RDS 214 | Introduction to Development Economics | 3 | RDS 2110 | Community Health and Rural Sanitation | 3 |
| RDS 215 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 | RDS 2111 | Agricultural Extension Methods | 3 |
| RDS 216 | Environment and Rural Livelihoods | 3 | RDS 2112 | Natural Resource Management and Livelihoods | 3 |
| ENG 201 | English Language | 2 | ENG 202 | English Language | 2 |
| Semester 1 Total | 20 | Semester 2 Total | 20 | ||
📅 Third Year Courses
| Code | Semester 1 Course | Cr. Hrs | Code | Semester 2 Course | Cr. Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDS 3113 | Rural Poverty and Vulnerability | 3 | RDS 3220 | Programme Design, Monitoring and Evaluation | 3 |
| RDS 3114 | Participatory Research and Community Assessment | 3 | RDS 3221 | Post-Conflict Development and Peacebuilding | 3 |
| RDS 3115 | Rural Financial Services and Microfinance | 3 | RDS 3222 | Land Rights and Rural Livelihoods | 3 |
| RDS 3116 | Governance, Decentralisation and Local Government | 3 | RDS 3223 | Rural-Urban Linkages and Migration | 3 |
| RDS 3117 | Climate Change and Rural Resilience | 3 | RDS 3224 | Sustainable Agriculture and Agroecology | 3 |
| RDS 3118 | Social Capital and Community Mobilisation | 3 | RDS 3225 | NGO Management and Civil Society in Rural Areas | 3 |
| RDS 3119 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 3 | RDS 3226 | Group Seminar and Scientific Writing | 3 |
| Semester 1 Total | 21 | Semester 2 Total | 21 | ||
📅 Fourth Year Courses
Semester 1 — Taught Courses
| Code | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| RDS 4127 | Rural Development Policy and Legislation | 3 |
| RDS 4128 | Integrated Rural Development Planning | 3 |
| RDS 4129 | Value Chain Development and Rural Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| RDS 4130 | Disaster Risk Reduction in Rural Communities | 3 |
| RDS 4131 | Digital Tools for Rural Development | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Semester 2 — Completion Requirements
- Industrial Attachment
- Research Project / Dissertation
- Directed Readings
- Final Comprehensive Examinations
Assessment & Grading System
A five-point letter grading system is used in assessing students, following the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) guidelines. Continuous assessment includes class attendance and participation, assignments, field projects, presentations, and written examinations.
Grading Scale
| Marks (%) | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 75 and above | A | 5.0 |
| 65 – 74 | B | 4.0 |
| 50 – 64 | C | 3.0 |
| 40 – 49 | D | 2.0 |
| 30 – 39 | E | 1.0 |
| Below 30 | F | 0.0 |
Honours Classification (FGPA)
| Class | FGPA Range |
|---|---|
| First Class | 4.3 and above |
| Second Class (Upper) | 4.00 – 4.29 |
| Second Class (Lower) | 3.60 – 3.99 |
| Third Class | 3.00 – 3.59 |
Programme Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, students will have acquired comprehensive knowledge and practical skills, including the capacity to:
Analyse rural livelihoods, poverty dynamics, and development challenges using interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical frameworks.
Design and facilitate participatory community development processes that empower rural communities to lead their own development.
Develop, implement, and evaluate rural development programmes and projects across agriculture, health, infrastructure, and governance.
Apply agricultural extension methods and rural finance tools to support smallholder farmers and rural enterprises.
Contribute to rural development policy, planning, and advocacy at community, district, and national levels.
Teaching & Learning
A learner-centred approach incorporating theoretical instruction and practical hands-on exercises, including field group projects, seminars, laboratory work, and simulation exercises.
Resources Required
At least three core lecturers with specialised expertise in the programme disciplines. Essential physical resources include classrooms, laboratories, and field survey equipment.
Monitoring & Review
The programme is monitored according to Njala University and TEC Quality Assurance guidelines, and reviewed every five years to address the evolving needs of academia and industry.
📥 Programme Documents & Downloads
The following documents are available for download, providing full details of the programme specification, course descriptions, and institutional requirements.
Progression Requirement
To advance from one year to the next, students must achieve a Sessional Grade Point Average (SGPA) of 3.0 or higher, with no outstanding course requirements.