Doctor of Philosophy
Join top candidates from across the continent, engage in robust knowledge sharing and hone your research skills.
Programme Information
- Programme Overview
- Entry Requirements
- CRM Enquiry
The WBS PhD 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 PhD 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 PhD is authentically African in perspective. As a student of our PhD 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 realise the vastness of the knowledge domains you can master by developing your learning and research skills. A PhD 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 School is particularly keen to enrol students in the following areas of study:
- Methodological Issues
- Business & Society
- Decision Sciences
- Organisational behaviour & diversity management
- Energy Leadership
- Digital Business
- Areas of study include but are not limited to African philanthropy, Community philanthropy, Public policy and philanthropy, Venture philanthropy, Corporate social investment, SDGs and philanthropy, Religion and philanthropy, Social investment, Impact investing, Wealth advisory, and Management of philanthropy among others.
Essential Websites to Visit:
- General Information - http://www.wits.ac.za/postgraduate
- International Applicants - http://www.wits.ac.za/internationalstudents
- SAQA evaluation of any Foreign Qualifications - https://www.saqa.org.za/ (University requirement)
- Financial Assistance - https://www.wits.ac.za/internationalstudents/financial-information/ (apply directly with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office)
- Accommodation - http://www.wits.ac.za/accommodation (apply directly with the Central Accommodation Office)
- Application Fee Payment Options - https://www.wits.ac.za/study-at-wits/student-fees/
- University Rules and Regulations - https://www.wits.ac.za/students/academic-matters/rules-and-syllabuses/
Textbooks are available on www.mind-matters.co.za
Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.
- A Bachelor’s degree with Honours – upper 2nd class or better (i.e. both with an average of “B” or better). OR a Bachelor’s degree plus a postgraduate Diploma (both with an average of “B” or better).
- A good master's degree (i.e. an average of “B” or better).65% or more for specialised Masters Research Report and 70% or more for MBA research report.
- An outline of your proposed research.
- Availability of a suitable supervisor.
- A non-refundable application fee.
- Complete the on-line application form on the following link https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/
- Complete the Application Qualification Assessment form
Plagiarism Appendix – (to be downloaded, completed and submitted online)
- Motivation letter.
- A 12-pager proposal.
- Certified academic transcripts/records - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree.
- Certified academic certificates - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree.
How to apply to Wits
Complete the Online Application form - parts 1&2 (Should you encounter any problems with the online application process please contact [email protected] )
A non-refundable application fee
Document Downloads
Application Qualification Assessment Form.pdf (432.67 KB)
PhD Guideline Document
Motivation letter A 12-pager proposal Certified academic transcripts/records - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree Certified academic certificates - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree
A R15 000 minimum deposit will be required upon acceptance of a place on the programme
Financial Assistance - https://www.wits.ac.za/internationalstudents/financial-information/
Words from our Alumni
Dr pulane modiha.
A very rewarding and demanding experience that provided a rare opportunity to thoroughly research the topic of executive management.
Nomusa Mazonde
Passing my PhD and graduating was a defining and memorable moment for me. A great sense of accomplishment, it was both the ‘Mama, I did it’ feeling and the ‘coming of age’ feeling which came with the sudden realisation that I could do that and more.
You might also be interested in
Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Leadership
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
Master of Management in the field of Energy Leadership
Disclaimer: cancellation of programmes by wbs.
WBS is entitled to cancel or change the date of delivery of a programme without notice and for any reason without incurring any liability to individuals who have applied or are enrolled on the programme or any funders of such individuals (“participants” or “funders of participants”).
Without derogating from the aforesaid, and insofar as it possible, WBS will provide the participants or funders of the participants with 30 (thirty days) days written notice of any cancellation or changes in the dates of delivery of the programme.
Insofar as the programme is cancelled or rescheduled prior to delivery of the programme then in that event the participants and funders of the participants will not be charged the full programme fees.
- People/Staff
The PhD is a degree that takes a minimum of 2 years full-time or a maximum of 4 years
Entry Requirements
- A masters degree from Wits or another university with a 70% total mark aggregate.
- A supervisor from the Faculty of Humanities must be identified and approached prior to application.
Additional entry requirements apply
University Application Process
- 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. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines.
- 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 .
University Fees and Funding
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.
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PhD in Philosophy
Faculty Website: Faculty of Humanities Department: Department of Philosophy Programme Level: Postgraduate Programme Name: PhD in Philosophy Programme Code: P7021Q
Medium of Facilitation: part-time, Full-Time NQF Level: 10 NQF Credits: 360 SAQA: 73883
Application Start Date : 1 April 2024 Application End Date: 1 March 2025
Campus: Auckland Park Kingsway
Contacts: UJ Call Centre 011 559-4555 Email: [email protected]
Duration of Study: 2 Years Full-Time and 3 Years Part-Time
Programme Fees
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to this Degree, students must fulfil the Department’s admission requirements (in addition to the University’s admission requirements) and prove their knowledge of research methodology and the history of philosophy. Some of the requirements are:
[i] at least 65% average for the Master’s Degree in Philosophy
[ii] the submission of written philosophical work done for the Master’s Degree.
Supplementary oral examinations might be required.
Selection Process
The extent to which applicants meet admission requirements is assessed by the relevant Head of Department, in consultation with the prospective supervisors, in accordance with the admission requirements for the particular doctoral programme determined by the Faculty Board, approved by Senate and contained in the relevant Faculty Rules and Regulations. The Head of Department, in consultation with the relevant Executive Dean, may set additional admission requirements, as approved by the relevant faculty higher degrees committee, for a particular student. Admission requirements are department specific and approved by the Executive Dean. Admission to a doctoral programme is not automatic even if the applicant is in possession of an appropriate preceding qualification.
More Information
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