---
title: "Why should students study inequality?"
description: "It is hard to read any newspaper, including this one, without being struck by the sheer depth and persistence of many forms of inequality in South Africa today. Socio-economic inequality pervades all aspects of society, both in South Africa and around the world."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Sponsored Content"
author: "Wits University"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/wits-university/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-10-09-why-should-students-study-inequality/"
published: "2025-10-09T08:49:31"
updated: "2025-10-09T08:52:46"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 363
---

# Why should students study inequality?

> It is hard to read any newspaper, including this one, without being struck by the sheer depth and persistence of many forms of inequality in South Africa today. Socio-economic inequality pervades all aspects of society, both in South Africa and around the world.

By Wits University · Published 9 October 2025, 10:49 SAST · Updated 9 October 2025, 10:52 SAST

## Key points
- In a world where inequality is the reigning champion of power dynamics, the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies is training a new generation of scholars to tackle this heavyweight issue with an interdisciplinary masterclass that promises to be as diverse as the students it attracts.
- The Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) emphasizes inequality as a power dynamic, establishing its presence in the global south in 2017 to address these issues.
- The new Master of Commerce in Inequality Studies, launched in 2023, aims to cultivate future scholars and policy practitioners with a focus on global South inequalities.
- The interdisciplinary program combines insights from economics, sociology, politics, and education, welcoming students from diverse social science backgrounds.
- The MCom has attracted a varied cohort of both young students and mid-career professionals, enriching classroom discussions with diverse perspectives.

## Content

\[embed\]https://youtu.be/n\_H1AUlEbSc?si=bQbU3vYjLJI6aSMV\[/embed\]

Inequality is inherently a power relationship that extends beyond differences between individuals, groups or regions. It is about the conditions that allow certain groups or individuals to dominate others. This is how we think about inequality at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS), and also what underpinned the decision to locate the centre in the global south in 2017, and to introduce the Master of Commerce in the field of Inequality Studies in 2023, as a way to influence and develop the next generation of inequality scholars and researchers. MCom Inequality Studies student, Raylene Naidoo, [explains why it is vital to study inequality.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_H1AUlEbSc)

\[embed\]https://youtu.be/15FM9N0qRbo\[/embed\]

This course is jointly offered by SCIS and the School of Economics and Finance (SEF) at the University of the Witwatersrand and seeks to train researchers and policy practitioners to understand inequality around the world, with a focus on the global South. The programme is interdisciplinary, drawing from economics, sociology, politics and education to offer a unique approach to inequality studies. Students with backgrounds across the social sciences are welcome, and the programme can be structured to focus on several important areas within inequality studies. SCIS Deputy Director and MCom Inequality Studies programme coordinator, David Francis, [elaborates on the value of an interdisciplinary programme in understanding the inequality crisis.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15FM9N0qRbo)

\[embed\]https://youtu.be/yevgBfTIhrY\[/embed\]

Since its inception, the MCom has attracted both young, full-time students and mid-career professionals who are registered on a part-time basis. They are of different nationalities, ages and races, and the classroom experience has highlighted their diverse perspectives, which has brought nuance and energy to the engagements and insights displayed. Students [Esther Nduku](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yevgBfTIhrY) and [Dire Thomas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6cKz7IZJjE) reflect on the MCom Inequality Studies programme.

\[embed\]https://youtu.be/G6cKz7IZJjE\[/embed\]

This interdisciplinary degree is open to students with a background in economics, development economics, and the broader social sciences. The requirements for admission are a bachelors degree with honours in Applied Development Economics/Economics/Economic Sciences or an honours degree in the social sciences, with an average of at least 65%. **DM**

*Authors: David Francis, Arabo K. Ewinyu and Kitso Kgaboesele*

**How do you apply?**

Applications for January 2026 entry open on 1 May 2025 and close on 30 November 2025. More information [here](https://www.wits.ac.za/course-finder/postgraduate/clm/mcom-inequality-studies/).