PhD in Governance

 

Students reading for the PhD are seeking to advance the state of knowledge in their particular domain by gathering substantial data, evaluating theory and generating original arguments regarding a significant public management/policy, development or governance issue. A doctoral thesis is a substantial project. The doctorate typically provides training for an academic career. It requires a candidate to develop a sophisticated conceptual framework, undertake independent research at the most advanced academic levels, read and interpret published debates in the field (and other related fields) and produce a thesis that contributes to knowledge in a particular field.

In the preparation stage for the short proposal the school offers assistance in the form of a course (currently called Social Theory) which is presented as part of the PhD first year. The key challenge here is for PhD candidates to demonstrate their potential writing without a supervisor.  Once they have successfully defended their short proposal, students formally register as a PhD candidate and begin work with a supervisor on their long proposal. 

 

The minimum criteria for consideration for acceptance are:

• A four year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent);
• A Master’s degree with a minimum of a 65% average. This could be a Master’s degree from Wits School of Governance or a Master’s degree in a cognate (similar) discipline. Doctoral research is usually carried out in the area of specialisation from the Master’s degree or components of it. Particular attention is paid to the marks awarded for the research component of the Master’s degree;
• An acceptable initial research proposal with a clear and reasonably well-defined area of interest, evidence of familiarity with your proposed area of study and a specific focus, problem and question you wish to pursue;
• Availability of an appropriate supervisor. Even if you meet the minimum criteria for consideration in terms of your previous marks and an admissions proposal of PhD quality we may still not be able to offer you a place as our supervisory capacity is limited in terms of numbers and the areas of expertise in which we are able to supervise at a PhD level.

When lodging a formal application for the PhD you will be required the following documentation:

• A brief letter of motivation indicating why you would like to study for your PhD at the Wits School of Governance;
• A curriculum vitae, detailing your degrees, your employment experience and any publications;
• A 2500 word outline of your proposed research;
• Official transcripts of your qualifications showing degree, courses and results (if you are still studying for a qualifying degree please provide your interim mid-year results);
• Your graduation certificates (certified copies and then originals);
• Verification and comparison of any foreign qualifications from the South Africa Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
• IELTS Language Proficiency scores (if your previous qualification was not through the medium of English).

• Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
• Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
• Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.