Research Degrees

The School offers three research degrees at Master and PhD level:

• MSc Town and Regional Planning (by research)
• Master of Architecture by (research) 
• PhD

These can be taken on a full time or part time basis.

Masters by research                        

• MSc Town and Regional Planning (by research)
• Master of Architecture by (research) 

Full-time registration for a minimum of one year, part time registration for a minimum of 2 years.

Admission requirements: an honours level degree in Architecture or Planning respectively, with a minimum of 60% aggregate in the honours year of study, and a proven ability to write academically. The School only accepts candidates for whom it is able to provide supervision.

PhD

Full time registration for a minimum of 2 years, part time 4 years. However, it is realistic to assume a full time PhD will take at least 3 years.

Admission requirements: The School has limited supervisory capacity and therefore has to select its candidates carefully. Excellent academic transcripts at master level are a requirement. Research and writing experience, as well as a clear articulation of the area of research interest are an advantage.

How to decide whether to apply for a research degree in the School

Interested candidates are encouraged to look at the staff profiles on the School website and to consider who might be able to provide appropriate supervision in the candidates - particular area of interest. Candidates are encouraged to contact potential supervisors and discuss possibilities of supervision, before preparing a formal application.

Research students are encouraged to apply at least 6 months in advance (foreign students should apply a year in advance to allow for visa application etc.), and if admitted, to register at the beginning of the year. This allows new research students to attend a research methods course that is offered February/March of each year.

For information on fees, please click here. 

The School provides shared office space for PhD students in John Moffat Building. Master by research and PhD students in the School have access to a dedicated Postgraduate PC lab.

Candidates should also visit the PhD Forum website a site created and maintained by the current and recent cohort of research students in the School. Do contact individual PhD students to find out more about their experience.

How to apply for a research degree in the School

1.  If you have an e-mail address and use this regularly

Please apply online at https://my.wits.ac.za/
-If you are or previously were a student at Wits University, you will use your student number (this is also called ?person number?) to create a login.
-If you have not previously studied at Wits University, click 'create account' on the horizontal blue bar and follow the instructions. You can then log in and complete the application form.

Soon after completing and submitting your application form electronically, you will receive an e-mail with a person number. Print this e-mail, and post it together with original copies of all your academic transcripts, and certified copies of your degree/diploma certificates
A CV if you have previously worked
-Typed 4-page proposal outlining the area of research and your thoughts on how you wish to approach this topic
-If applying for a PhD: Copy of your masters research report and an academic article if you have already published in a recognised journal.
-If applying for a masters by research: Copy of your honors research report or masters research report if you've completed one and an academic article if you have already published in a recognised journal.
-If you're a foreign applicant, proof of payment of R550 (see payment instructions below)
-Copy of ID document or passport

2. If you don't have an e-mail address
If you have access to the internet, please download the application form from
http://www.wits.ac.za/Prospective/Postgraduate/Applications/ApplicationForm.htm
Print the form and fill it in by hand.

If you don't have access to the internet, please request that a hardcopy of the application form be posted to you. To make this request, phone the Postgraduate Enrolment Centre on 011-7171030. Please call again if you have not received the application form after 10 days, as it might get lost in the post.

Whether obtained from the website or by post, please complete and sign the application form, and post it together with
-Original copies of all your academic transcripts, and certified copies of your degree/diploma certificates
-A CV if you have previously worked
-Typed 4-page proposal outlining the area of research and your thoughts on how you wish to approach this topic
-If applying for a PhD: Copy of your masters research report and an academic article if you have already published in a recognised journal.
-If applying for a masters by research: Copy of your honors research report or masters research report if you?ve completed one and an academic article if you have already   published in a recognised journal.
-If you're a foreign applicant, proof of payment of R550 (see payment instructions below)
-Copy of ID document or passport

Address for posting of documents for application:
Student Enrolment Centre
Postgraduate Unit
University of the Witwatersrand
Private Bag 4
Wits 2050
South Africa
Please send your documents by registered mail to ensure that your documents are not lost in the post.

Application fee payable by foreign applicants
All applicants who are not South African citizens or permanent residents have to pay an application fee of R550. Payment must be made into the following account:
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
BRAAMFONTEIN BRANCH
BRANCH CODE 251905
ACCOUNT NO. 51360056499
Use full name as reference and send proof of payment along with
your application forms.

Closing dates for applications for MSc Housing
31 August (foreigners)
29 October (South Africans)
(should you only visit this site after the closing dates, please contact the degree convenor Assoc Prof Aly Karam on 011-717707 aly.karam@wits.ac.za to check whether late applications will be considered).

Please note that it is also possible to start a research degree mid-year. In that case, please enquire about closing dates with Professor Karam on 011-717707 aly.karam@wits.ac.za

Notification of Admission into the MSc Housing programme
A letter will be posted to you stating whether you have been admitted. Successful international students, once having received a letter of admission, must then apply for a study visa from the South African consulate in their country. Processing of the visa may take up to eight weeks.

This site was last updated 12 April 2012