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.... [-]

The candidate should develop advanced competencies in the mastering, interpretation, understanding, analysis, and application of econometric techniques. A qualifying candidate should show evidence of original and independent scientific work. Prospective students must prepare a research proposal in consultation with a member of the staff of the Department of Economics and Econometrics. Once a decision has been made that the proposal has been accepted, the prospective student will be allowed to register for the degree.

Admission requirements: A candidate who is in possession of a university-based 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 New NQF level 9/Old NQF level 8, and related experience which is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department Economics and Econometrics. 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 postgraduate programme in Applied Linguistics and Literary Theory, in drawing on the knowledge fields of both its disciplines, is aimed at the specialised education and training and research needs of language practitioners such as translators, interpreters, text editors, language planners, copywriters and language teachers. Translation and interpreting are complex linguistic, cognitive and textual processes that, among other things, also entail socio-cultural mediation. Given the complexity of these activities and hence the interdisciplinary nature of language practice, these programmes offer a balance of theoretical, practical and experiential knowledge and skills.

The Doctoral study programme comprises a thesis written under supervision that makes an original contribution to the field of Public Management and Governance on a topic selected in consultation with the Head of the Department of Public Governance. A Doctoral defence (of either the proposal or the thesis) is required in accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Humanities. An article ready for publication on the thesis content or related field is required.

A Master’s Qualification in Public Management and Governance on NQF Level 8. A final mark of 65% on average for the preceding Master’s Degree programme in Public Management/Public Administration/Public Governance (or equivalent RPL compliance), as well as a minimum of 65% for the 50% or more dissertation required for that Master’s programme. An application for this programme must be accompanied by a research proposal of approximately 10 pages in a prescribed format, which is available on request from the Department together with guidelines on how to draft the proposal.... [-]

The purpose of the qualification is to develop an engineer with advanced abilities in applying fundamental engineering sciences and/design and synthesis, and related principles independently to specific problems of society at large. One of the main objectives of this process is to develop an advanced capability to conduct fundamental engineering research of an original nature. It also promotes a lifelong learning approach and an aptitude for training other students in similar fields.

Exit level outcomes:

The qualified student will be able to:

In a Doctoral Degree, students prove their ability to do original research. Ideally, this research should lead to the publication of an article or a book. The formative value of a Doctoral Degree cannot be overestimated: acquiring and practicing skills of creative and original thinking, problem-solving, critical reading, analysis, and synthesis. The topic of the degree should contribute to our understanding of Greek civilization (Ancient, Hellenistic, Byzantine or Modern) and its contribution to Western civilization (political theory, philosophy, religion, literature, theatre, film, religion, architecture, etc.

An MA in Greek gives admission to this programme.... [-]

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.... [-]

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.... [-]

A thesis on a theme in Political Science or International Relations, as a unique contribution which also demonstrates the ability to do independent and meaningful research, is required. An article ready for publication has to be submitted along with the thesis.

To gain entrance into this programme a student needs a good pass mark at Master’s level.

Name: Prof Deon Geldenhuys Tel: 011 559 2894 / Email: deong@uj.ac.za

The purpose of this programme is to explore a wide range of forms of human communication from a variety of perspectives that connect the local and the global and are rooted in African contexts and experiences. As an inherently interdisciplinary and flexible programme, the MA in Communication Studies intersects a multiplicity of fields and areas in the humanities and social sciences and offers an opportunity to explore their complementarity and interconnectedness.

This qualification provides students the opportunity to master the art of independent studies by writing a research thesis under the supervision of a senior researcher. The focus of the dissertation is based on the proposal submitted by the student and decided upon jointly with the supervisor(s).... [-]

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 Doctoral study programme comprises a thesis that makes an original contribution to the field of Audiovisual Communication 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 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.... [-]

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Computer Science 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 Computer Science 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 Computer Science 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 qualification is to develop an engineer with advanced abilities in applying fundamental engineering sciences and/design and synthesis, and related principles independently to specific problems of society at large. One of the main objectives of this process is to develop an advanced capability to conduct fundamental engineering research of an original nature. It also promotes a lifelong learning approach and an aptitude for training other students in similar fields.

Exit level outcomes:

The qualified student will be able to: