Program Overview

Programme: PhD specialising in Economics

The PhD (Economics) programme is a research degree, requiring the completion of supervised as well as independent research resulting in peer-reviewed publication. Students interested in pursuing the PhD (Economics)-degree programme are expected to have completed the equivalent of the MPhil (Economics) programme, including advanced topics courses.

Programme Information

• The programme is offered by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
• Department: Economics
• Credits: 360
• Duration: Minimum duration of study: 2 years
• NQF level: 10

Admission Requirements

General Admission Regulations

1. All applications must be accompanied by the following documents:
   1. Certified full academic transcripts from undergraduate to current level
   2. Certified copy of ID or passport
   3. A research concept note (not applicable to honours or coursework master's degrees)
2. All applicants with international qualifications must submit the following documents:
   1. A SAQA evaluation of the completed qualification or a comprehensive Foreign Qualification Report
   2. TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results (if applicable)
   3. Certified copy of passport
3. All postgraduate applications are subject to departmental admissions processes
4. Admissions is based on the content of and performance in the prior degree, bridging arrangements (where required), academic merit and prior work experience (if applicable)
5. Admission to all qualifications is subject to supervisory capacity and/or research projects in the field of specialisation in a department
6. Complying with the minimum admissions requirements, does not automatically guarantee admission to the degree
7. Proposed research studies for masters and doctoral applicants should align with the research focus of the relevant department
8. If a qualifying candidate has expressed an interest in a field of study that the relevant department cannot accommodate, the applicant may be considered for an alternative project
9. All postgraduate applicants must be proficient in English as English is the official language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria
10. All applicants must be computer literate
11. All students need to have access to an internet enabled device, as well as consistent email and internet access
12. Allowance will be made for the diversity profile of students in accordance with the University strategy

Minimum Admissions Requirements

1. Relevant master's degree
2. A weighted average of at least 65% for the master's degree

Additional Requirements

The Dean has the right of authorisation regarding matters not provided for in the General Academic Regulations or the Faculty regulations.

Other Programme-Specific Information

• The thesis contributes 100% towards the total requirements for the degree
• Renewal of registration: Refer to General Academic Regulations G44
• Students are expected to complete the degree within three years
• Each student and supervisor will sign an MOU regarding expectations, and at the end of each year, student progress will be assessed by the department's postgraduate committee

Examinations and Pass Requirements

• The thesis should be passed in accordance with the stipulations of General Academic Regulations G50 and G54

Research Information

• Refer to General Academic Regulations G50 and G54
• At least one article from the thesis must (at the very least) be submitted for publication before the degree can be awarded
• Students are expected to present their findings on a continuous basis within the department's seminar series

Core Modules

• EBW 801: Research methodology 801
  • Credits: 0.00
  • Module content:
    • Developing the background to a research problem, and developing a problem statement and propositions and hypotheses relevant to their study
    • Compiling a thorough literature review of the topics they intend to study
    • Approaches to research: An overview of the different approaches to research (qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods) and the philosophical approaches that underpin them (positivism, post-positivism, interpretivism, constructivism, critical theory and pragmatism)
    • Different research designs in quantitative and qualitative methods, and appropriate sampling approaches for the different research designs
    • Qualitative research methodology: An overview of qualitative methods for organisational research
    • Quantitative research methodology
• EKN 995: Thesis 995
  • Credits: 360.00