Business Sciences

This advanced degree requires students to conduct research regarding a relevant, approved topic.

Overview

Plan: Insurance, Human Resources, Management, Marketing

The degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Sciences is the School’s highest degree and is only offered through supervised research, to be conducted on an approved topic. 

Entry Requirements

  • A masters degree or an equivalent qualification from Wits University or another university.
  • A supervisor from the School must be identified and approached prior to application.

For all applicants:

  • The candidate should hold a masters degree in the related field (e.g. business management) with a minimum of 65% for the final mark.
  • The candidates should provide the first five (5) pages of written work of their masters dissertation.
  • Candidates who completed their masters degree by research will be expected to provide contact details of their previous supervisor for a recommendation letter that would state the candidate’s ability to conduct research at the PhD level
  • A PhD research proposal of six (6) pages, including references, must accompany the PhD application. The proposed research should show clear promise of a sufficient contribution to knowledge to fulfil the requirements of the degree programme.
  • Availability of supervision capacity and a supervisor in the proposed area of study.

Please note that acceptance into the programme is contingent on supervision capacity. Unfortunately, it cannot be guaranteed that a suitable supervisor will be available for every prospective student. Please first contact staff members within your relevant department with similar research areas before your application can be completed.

The following documents need to be submitted with your application:

1. Certified copy of your degree certificates
2. Certified copy of academic transcripts as well as grade key
3. All certificates need to be transcribed to English if in another language.
4. SAQA evaluation (International applicants)
5. Proof of English proficiency (International applicants)
6. Curriculum Vitae
7. Letter of motivation
8. A brief (5-10 page) proposal outlining your area of research interest
9. Confirmation of supervisor. Please attach this document, along with your CV and research proposal when approaching a supervisor. The document should be returned to the applicant signed by the supervisor for the applicant to submit it with the admissions application. 

Your application will only be assessed once all the above documentation has been submitted.
We will unfortunately not be able to assess your application without your SAQA certificate or application fee.

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.
  • 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.