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 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.... [-]

DLitt et Phil Industrial Sociology is an advanced level of study in which a candidate has to conduct independent research and produce a thesis that demonstrates a contribution to knowledge in the field. The degree is assessed on the basis of the thesis only and the candidate has to satisfy the Department of Sociology and the Faculty of Humanities that the thesis is his or her own unaided work. Upon submission of the final thesis, he or she has to give an undertaking that it has not been submitted to any other institution for examination and the granting of a qualification.

Access will be considered for a candidate who is in possession of a university-based Master’s qualification in Industrial Sociology/Sociology on NQF Level 8. If a student does not comply with the requirements mentioned above, admission may be granted by the Dean of the Faculty, at the recommendation of the Chairperson of the Department.... [-]

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 candidate should develop applied specialized competencies in the mastering, interpretation, understanding, analysis, and application of accounting principles in the financial accounting field. A qualifying candidate should show evidence of original and independent scientific work.

Admission requirements: A candidate who is in possession of a university-based accounting orientated master’s qualification on New NQF level 9/Old NQF level 8 may apply for admission to this qualification. Alternatively any other related qualification with a programme-specific minimum level of competency on New NQF level 9 / Old NQF level 8, and related experience which is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Accountancy. Finalisation of registration for the programme (and/or continued registration) is subject to applicants complying with departmental-specific requirements. Such requirements usually include preparatory work leading up to a research proposal that is approved by the department. Possible examples of preparatory work are pre-reading, literature reviews, concept development, and successful completion of short courses aimed at skills and/or knowledge development. Candidates may also be required to successfully defend their research proposals at special discussion sessions.... [-]

The doctorate in Corporate Communication is designed to develop highly specialized and in-depth theoretical, professional and research skills within the disciplines of Corporate Communication and Communication. The qualification is designed to facilitate professional role enactment in highly specialized and unpredictable communication contexts and to acquire the ability to respond to abstract problems that expand and redefine existing corporate communication knowledge.

It also facilitates a comprehensive command of advanced communication research methodology, which should result in a significant and original contribution to the discipline of corporate communication as well as the ability to engage in critical dialogue.... [-]

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Environmental Management is to provide qualifying students with an in-depth understanding and integrated knowledge of advanced applicable theory in the field of specialization. A Ph.D. in Environmental Management is a pure science-based research study that requires candidates to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline of specialization.

The PhD in Environmental Management demands a very high level of intellectual, theoretical and practical specialized science knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of the application of advanced experimental methods and techniques of the modern research, as well as of fundamental scientific and academic values in generating, processing, interpreting and presenting research data orally and in written form.... [-]

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Geology is to provide qualifying students with an in-depth understanding and integrated knowledge of advanced applicable theory in the field of geology. A Ph.D. in Geology is a pure science-based research study that requires candidates to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline of specialization.

The PhD in Geology demands a very high level of intellectual, theoretical and practical specialized science knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of the application of advanced experimental methods and techniques of the modern research, as well as of fundamental scientific and academic values in generating, processing, interpreting and presenting research data orally and in written form.... [-]

The Doctoral study programme comprises a thesis that makes an original contribution to the field of Journalism on a topic selected in consultation with the Departmental Chairperson. A maximum of four advanced seminars on relevant aspects of the topic of study and an oral examination (the equivalent of two papers each consisting of four modules) as prescribed in the General Regulation book are required. A research article that is suitable for publication in an academic journal is also required.

A Master’s Degree in Communication is required, with a minimum average of 65%. The general regulation with regard to the duration of the master’s programme is also applicable in this instance. The closing date for applications for this Degree is 31 October of the preceding year for the first semester and 30 April of the same year for the second semester.... [-]

Students accepted for this course are required to research, write and present a full thesis (approximately 220 pages), which contributes new knowledge to the field of English Studies. Specialist supervision is available in the following areas of study: South/African Literary Studies and Post Colonialism; Text Editing; Medieval, Renaissance and Romantic Studies; and Contemporary Fiction

A Master’s Degree in English is required. Admission to the Doctoral Degree must be approved by the Chairperson of the Department.

Name: Prof Karen Scherzinger Tel: 011 559 2493 / Email: kscherzinger@uj.ac.za

The candidate should develop applied specialized competencies in the mastering, interpretation, understanding, analysis, and application of taxation principles in the financial and commercial sector. A qualifying candidate should show evidence of original and independent scientific work.

Admission requirements: A candidate who is in possession of a university-based taxation orientated master’s qualification on New NQF level 9/Old NQF level 8 may apply for admission to this qualification. Alternatively any other related qualification with a programme- specific minimum level of competency on New NQF level 9 / Old NQF level 8, and related experience which is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Accountancy.... [-]

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Aquatic Health is to provide qualifying students with an in-depth understanding and integrated knowledge of advanced applicable theory in the field of specialization. A Ph.D. in Aquatic Health is a pure science-based research study that requires candidates to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline of specialization.

The PhD in Aquatic Health demands a very high level of intellectual, theoretical and practical specialized science knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of the application of advanced experimental methods and techniques of the modern research, as well as of fundamental scientific and academic values in generating, processing, interpreting and presenting research data orally and in written form.... [-]

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 purpose of the Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics is to provide qualifying students with an in-depth understanding and integrated knowledge of advanced applicable theory in the field of applied mathematics. A Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics is a pure science-based research study that requires candidates to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline of specialization.

The PhD in Applied Mathematics demands a very high level of intellectual, theoretical and practical specialized science knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of the application of advanced experimental methods and techniques of the modern research, as well as of fundamental scientific and academic values in generating, processing, interpreting and presenting research data orally and in written form.... [-]

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Biochemistry is to provide qualifying students with an in-depth understanding and integrated knowledge of advanced applicable theory in the field of Biochemistry. A Ph.D. in Biochemistry is a pure science-based research study that requires candidates to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline of specialization.

The PhD in Biochemistry demands a very high level of intellectual, theoretical and practical specialized science knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of the application of advanced experimental methods and techniques of the modern research, as well as of fundamental scientific and academic values in generating, processing, interpreting and presenting research data orally and in written form.... [-]