UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Admission for candidature

Holders of the MBBCh degree, BDS degree or of a masters degree are eligible to apply for admission to candidature for the PhD degree. The degree is awarded to candidates who have successfully completed original research (under supervision) and submitted a thesis based on this research. Intending candidates should first discuss their candidature with the head of the relevant department.

ADMISSION TO CANDIDATURE IS CONDITIONAL UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE RELEVANT ETHICS COMMITTEE.

Information regarding period of registration

In terms of the Standing Orders of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the minimum and maximum periods of registration are as follows:

Degree F/T or P/T Min yrs Max yrs
PhD F/T 2 5
P/T 4 7

Definition of full-time and part-time candidate

A full-time candidate is defined as one of the following:

  1. One who is normally available to participate throughout the year in the graduate programme of the department in which he/she is registered;
  2. One who is a full-time member of the academic staff;
  3. One who is employed by and has obligations to an institution recognised by the University as adequate for the purposes of the candidate s research, provided that the candidate can produce acceptable certification from his/her employer that his/her time will be fully devoted to his/her approved research study or the graduate work of the department. Such a candidate may be required by the Postgraduate Committee to meet additional requirements including participation in the graduate work of the department.

A part-time candidate who is a graduate of the University must maintain regular contact with his/her supervisor/s, particularly in the initial and final stages of his/her candidature. In addition, he/she may be required to participate in the graduate programme of the department in which he/she is registered.

A candidate who is not a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand is required to spend time in the University as follows:
at least four weeks (not necessarily continuous) for the degree of PhD.
In addition, he/she may be required to participate in the graduate programme of the Department in which he/she is registered.