A Different World is een Amerikaanse komedieserie van de zender NBC. De serie ging in première op 1 september 1987.
In deze spin-off van de populaire sitcom 'The Cosby Show' begint Denise Huxtable aan haar tweede jaar op Hillman, de universiteit waar haar ouders en grootvader ook gestudeerd hebben. Ze gaat in Gilbert Hall wonen en deelt daar een kamer met de 26-jarige Jaleesa Vinson en de praatgrage Maggie Lauten.
Dwayne and Ron plan to rent a beautiful apartment for the next school year. They can no longer afford the place after Ron's father cuts back on his allowance because of his slipping grades. They are forced to rent a dump that is managed by Velma Gaines. Dwayne and Ron throw a housewarming party and decide that their new apartment will work out. Walter looks forward to a summer of freedom, until Jaleesa announces that she has received a promotion and can visit more often than expected. They agree to spend time apart to ""sow wild oats."" Whitley plans to work at a museum all summer, but feels guilty because she would rather join her mother on a cruise. Dwayne encourages her to have fun, as there will be plenty of time to work and act responsibly in the future. Dwayne and Whitley begin to show an interest in each other.