Top PhD Programs in Johannesburg South Africa 2019/2020

The WBS Ph.D. programme is the largest in South Africa and one of the most highly regarded on the continent. We seek out and bring together top candidates from across Africa to address important topics in their Ph.D. research that are relevant to the advancement of business and society on our continent. We have students from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and of course South Africa, and the best faculty from across the continent so that our Ph.D. is authentically African in perspective. As a student of our Ph.D. programme, you will gain real cultural and social insights from our commercial and political debates, you will sharpen your ability to articulate, grow in confidence and realize the vastness of the knowledge domains you can master by developing your learning and research skills. A Ph.D. shows the world you are capable of putting in the disciplined effort, logical thought and leaps of insight needed to be a ground-breaking innovator. It tells employers that you work diligently to discover new truths, evaluate alternative approaches and forge ways forward based on solid evidence.... [-]

The PhD in Education is offered by the Wits School of Education, as a research degree. This highly innovative programme is designed to catapult you to academic leadership in your chosen area of study. Though the Thesis is the only examinable component of this programme, we provide support to ensure the success of your thesis through the following activities designed to support students in their studies, give students opportunities to interact with each other, receive critical feedback on their work from fellow students and academics beyond their supervisor, and provide forums for intellectual and emotional support in the research journey:

The student should develop intellectual and specialized competencies and practical skills in the acquisition, interpretation, understanding, analysis, and application of transport economics, management, and regulatory principles. The student should develop research, writing and creative thinking skills in the transport economics field. The student should be able to take strategic decisions in the context of the transport sector and to analyze and assess any internal or external decision impacting on this sector.

The student should also be able to reflect on his/her managerial decisions and applications to analyze and assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of transport economics, management, and regulation. The thesis should constitute a reflection of knowledge and insight into the transport economics field.... [-]

The purpose of the programme is to develop the applied competence of the postgraduate student on an advanced level in research, analysis, interpretation, and understanding of Tourism and Hospitality.

Through a doctoral dissertation, the student will show evidence of independent research through quantitative or qualitative methods or a combination of both, to solve complex problems in society for the sustainability of the Tourism and Hospitality industries. The programme will assist in the continuing academic and professional development of postgraduate students.

A minimum of 65% average for MTech / Masters on NQF Level 8/9 in Tourism or Hospitality or any other associated field. A portfolio of evidence needs to be submitted for evaluation and approval by the departmental research and higher degrees committee.... [-]

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide candidates with an in-depth understanding of concepts and theories underpinning the theoretical and practical aspects of PPL, as well as with original and independent scientific research skills to contribute towards the expansion of the PPL knowledge base.

A Master’s Degree for which a mark of at least 65% was obtained. A module in Research Methodology on NQF Level 8 or 9 is essential. Please note: Student numbers constraints necessitate a selection process. Students outside the PPL field will have to comply with the MPhil (Human Resource Management), Personal and Professional Leadership knowledge and skills requirements by means of qualifying short courses about PPL content.... [-]

The student should develop applied and highly specialized competencies and practical skills in the acquisition, interpretation, comprehension, and application of marketing management principles. Through the Doctoral thesis, in which the qualification culminates, a qualifying student would show evidence of independent and original scientific work. The thesis would constitute a decided contribution to a knowledge of the subject discipline as well as the field of research. Qualifying students would also display competence in the application of related research methodology, and the proper written and/or oral communication of the research process and findings. The student should be able to reflect on his/her research decisions and applications, to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of marketing management.... [-]

The student should develop intellectual and specialized competencies and practical skills in the acquisition, interpretation, understanding, analysis, and application of logistics management principles. The student should develop research, writing and creative thinking skills in the logistics management field. The student should be able to take strategic decisions in the context of a logistics organization, or the logistics function of a company, and to analyze and assess any internal or external decision impacting the logistics function and/or profession. The student should also be able to reflect on his/her managerial decisions and applications to analyze and assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of logistics management. The thesis should constitute a reflection of knowledge and insight into the logistics management field.... [-]

This is a structured research programme with research-based assignments and the application of research in practice, as the basis for the completion of the thesis. The aim of the qualification is to develop the advanced competence of the student in designing and developing organizational interventions and procedures. The qualification will make it possible for students to fulfill a leadership role and to adopt a critical and scientific approach towards performance and change.

A Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Industrial Psychology or Human Resource Development as well as the completion of a research methodology module at Honours and/or Master’s Degree level with an average pass mark of 65% at NQF Level 8 or 9. A module at least undergraduate level or above in Statistical Methods or Analytical Techniques. Students should have distinguished themselves previously as managers or human resource managers with considerable work experience in organizations (minimum of 3-5 years). Students must be computer literate and have Internet access. Student number constraints necessitate a selection process consisting of a full day assessment center and psychometric assessments.... [-]

Through the doctoral thesis, in which the qualification finally culminates, a qualifying student shows evidence of independent and original scientific work. The thesis would constitute a decided contribution to the knowledge of and insight into the subject discipline as well as the field of research. Qualifying students would display applied competence in research methodology, and the proper written and/or oral communication in the research process and findings. The student should be able to reflect on his/her research decisions and applications to access the effect thereof in the holistic context of research in the information technology management industry.

A relevant Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 with a 65% average. The Dean of the Faculty of Management may refuse a student admission to the doctoral qualification if he/she is of the opinion that the student’s academic background is insufficient for the proposed study.... [-]

Through the Doctoral thesis, in which the qualification finally culminates, a qualifying student would show evidence of independent and original scientific work. The thesis would constitute a decided contribution to the knowledge of an insight into the subject discipline as well as the field of research. Qualifying students would display applied competence in research methodology, and the proper written and/or oral communication in the research process and findings. The student should be able to reflect on his/her research decisions and applications to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of research in the information industry.

Student access will be provided to the student who is in possession of any relevant Master’s Degree on NQF Level 8 or 9. The Dean of the Faculty of Management may refuse a student admission to the Doctoral qualification if of the opinion that the student’s academic background is insufficient for the proposed studies.... [-]

This qualification develops the intellectual and professional skills of the student. A relevant, problem-based, unique, original and executable topic on an advanced academic level within this discipline should be researched independently and reported on scientifically, in the form of a Doctoral thesis. The thesis would constitute a decided contribution to the knowledge of, and insight into, the subject discipline as well as the field of research. Qualifying students would also display competence in the application of related research methodology and the proper written and/or oral communication of the research process and findings. The qualification can also occur via a combination of independent research and developmental scientific work of original nature on such an advanced topic. This programme will prepare students to reflect on their own economical applications to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of Industrial Psychology within their everyday lives.... [-]

The programme develops intellectual and professional skills of the student. Through the doctorate thesis, a qualifying student would show evidence of independent and original scientific work.

The thesis would constitute a distinctive contribution to the knowledge of, and insight into, the subject discipline as well as the field of research. Qualifying students would also display competence in the application of related research methodology and the proper written and/or oral communication of the research process and findings. Students should be able to critically reflect on the research process and findings.

An appropriate Master’s Degree in the broader field of human resource management as well as the completion of a research methodology module at Honours and/or Master’s Degree level with an average pass mark of 65% at Master’s Degree level. Three to five years relevant industry work experience.... [-]

The programme develops the intellectual and professional skills of the student. A qualifying student should show evidence of independent and original scientific work in the thesis. The thesis would constitute a distinctive contribution to the knowledge of, and insight into, the subject discipline as well as the field of research. Qualifying students should also display competence in the application of related research methodology and the proper written and/or oral communication of the research process and findings. Students should also be able to reflect on their research findings.

An appropriate Master’s Degree (NQF Level 8 or 9)in the broader field of human resource management as well as the completion of a research methodology module at Honours and/or Master’s Degree level with an average pass mark of 65% at Master’s Degree level. Three to five years relevant industry work experience.Student number constraints necessitate a selection process consisting of a full day assessment center and psychometric assessments. A module at least undergraduate level or above in Statistical Methods or Analytical Techniques.... [-]

The programme develops the intellectual and professional skills of the student. A qualifying student should show evidence of independent and original scientific work in the thesis. The thesis would constitute a distinctive contribution to the knowledge of, and insight into, the subject discipline as well as the field of research. Qualifying students should also display competence in the application of related research methodology and the proper written and/or oral communication of the research process and findings. Students should also be able to reflect on their research findings.

An appropriate Master’s Degree Qualification on NQF Level 8 or 9 in Employment Relations, Labour Law or a related discipline and evidence of a full or mini-research component at Master’s Degree level, as well as the completion of a research methodology module at Honours and/or Master’s Degree level with an average pass mark of 65% at Master’s Degree level. Three to five years relevant industry/work experience. Student number constraints necessitate a selection process consisting of a full day assessment center and psychometric assessments. A module in Research Methodology at Master’s Degree level is essential.... [-]

The student should develop applied competencies and practical skills in the mastering, interpretation, understanding, and application of Business Management principles, culminating in independent and original scientific work. Qualifying students display competence in the application of related research methodology, and the proper written and oral communication of the research process and findings. The thesis would constitute a decided contribution to the knowledge of an insight into the subject discipline, enabling students to reflect on the field of research.

A student who is in possession of a Master’s qualification in Business Management on NQF Level 8 or 9 may apply for admission to this qualification. An average of 65% must be obtained in this Master’s Qualification. The Dean of the Faculty of Management may refuse a student admission to the Doctoral qualification if of the opinion that the student’s academic background is insufficient for the proposed studies.... [-]