SOAS-Wits Joint MPhil/PhD in Applied Development Economics

Program Overview

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SOAS-Wits Joint MPhil/PhD in Applied Development Economics

Key Information

Duration

3 years

Attendance Mode

Full-time

Location

SOAS campus; NCB Building, University of the Witwatersrand

Fees

£4,157 (for all students)

Course Overview

This joint PhD programme, delivered in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, focuses on heterodox (feminist) economics or political economy. It explores the impact of climate breakdown, financialisation, and post-pandemic economic and social pressures on multiple dimensions of wellbeing in Africa.

Why Study This Programme?

• Ranked 27th in UK for economics (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching (Complete University Guide 2023)
• Top 40 in the UK for economics (Complete University Guide 2023)

Research Projects

The programme seeks candidates interested in conducting doctoral research on one of the following areas/projects:

Project 1: Unemployment in South Africa

• Investigate unemployment in post-apartheid South Africa from a political economy or micro-economic perspective
• Explore state responses to unemployment, microeconomic perspectives on unemployment, and the informal economy
• Supervisors: Miguel Niño Zarazua (SOAS) and Dorrit Posel (Wits)

Project 2: The Social Reproduction of Economic Ideas in Africa

• Analyze the social reproduction of economic ideas in Africa, drawing on the seminal work of Mkandawire (2014)
• Employ a social reproduction lens to understand the dissemination of economic ideas across academia and policymaking
• Supervisors: Sara Stevano (SOAS) and Imraan Valodia (Wits)

Project 3: Labour Process, Worker Organisation and Social Policy in the Shadow of the Digital Age

• Explore the distributional conflicts at the nexus of labour and citizenship in the digital age
• Investigate the labour process and conditions of work, and new forms of worker organization and political claim-making
• Supervisors: Thereza Balliester Reis (SOAS) and Ruth Castel-Branco (Wits)

Admissions and Entry Requirements

• Apply to both institutions via each institution's website by 23 May 2025
• Meet entry requirements of both institutions, including a "good" Masters degree in (development) economics or a relevant discipline and a reference

International Mobility

• All students will be offered the opportunity to undertake international mobility to and from SOAS or Wits during the PhD
• However, it is not mandatory to complete this programme

Fees and Funding

Fees for 2025/26 Entrants Per Academic Year

	All Student Fees (per year)
Full-time (SOAS at the 'home institution')	£4,157
Full-time (Wits at the 'home institution')	RTBC

• Please note that fees go up each year
• Scholarships were not available for the 2024/25 intake of this programme

Structure

• Full-time research degree: 3 years plus 1 year writing up
• Year 1: Research Training
• Year 1: Literature review and Upgrade
• Year 2-3: Research
• Year 4: Write up (if necessary)
• Award: A single co-badged certificate conferred by both SOAS and Wits

Supervision Arrangements

• Each research project will be jointly supervised across SOAS and Wits
• Remote access will be deployed to facilitate joint meetings
• Students will have a supervisor at SOAS and a supervisor at Wits

Teaching and Learning

• Supervision arrangements will be made to facilitate joint meetings
• Students will have access to research training and literature review resources

Employment

• Graduates of this programme will leave with a solid grounding in technical and statistical skills, research methods, and data collection
• They will have the ability to think laterally, take a global perspective, and employ critical reasoning with a detailed insight into the context of African countries.

Program Outline

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SOAS-Wits Joint MPhil/PhD in Applied Development Economics

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Degree Overview:

This joint PhD program, offered in collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, focuses on heterodox (feminist) economics or political economy. The program examines the interconnected challenges of climate breakdown, financialization, and post-pandemic economic and social pressures in the context of African realities. It aims to develop strong theoretical frameworks informed by empirical evidence and grounded in decolonial approaches that critically engage with existing research practices and knowledge across Africa.

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Outline:

The program consists of four key phases:

• Year 1 - Research Training: Blended research training provided by both SOAS and Wits, covering research methods, data collection, and analysis.
Students will establish the foundation for their research project through an extensive literature review and plan.
• Year 1 - Literature Review and Upgrade: Students will complete a comprehensive literature review and plan for their research.
A successful upgrade from MPhil to PhD status is expected within 9 months of commencing the degree.
• Year 2-3 - Research: Core research activities take place, including primary and secondary data collection and finalization of thesis chapters.
International mobility opportunities between SOAS and Wits are available during this period.
• Year 4 - Write-up: If necessary, a fourth year is dedicated to completing the final thesis.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods will vary depending on the chosen research project and supervisor(s). Options may include:

• Literature Review and Upgrade: Comprehensive assessment of the student's literature review and research plan.
• Thesis Chapters: Ongoing assessment of research progress and quality of thesis chapters.
• Final Thesis: Rigorous examination by an external examiner and internal supervisor(s).

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Teaching:

The program utilizes a blend of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures and seminars: Delivered by expert faculty at both SOAS and Wits, covering key theoretical frameworks and research methodologies.
• Research workshops and seminars: Specialized sessions focusing on specific research skills and methodological approaches.
• International Mobility: Opportunities to study and conduct research at the partner institution, expanding perspectives and research networks.

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Careers:

Graduates of this program are equipped with a diverse skillset, including:

• Strong analytical and research skills in economics and political economy.
• Advanced data collection and analysis techniques.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Understanding of complex global and regional economic issues.
• Expertise in African economies and development challenges.
This program prepares graduates for careers in diverse fields such as:
• Academia: Pursuing further research or teaching positions in universities and research institutions.
• Policy and Development Organizations: Contributing to economic and development policy formulation in government agencies, international organizations, or non-governmental organizations.
• Private Sector: Applying economic expertise within financial institutions, consulting firms, or businesses focused on African markets.

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Other:

• Students will be awarded a single co-badged certificate upon successful completion of the program, conferred by both SOAS and Wits.