Critical Diversity Studies

The Honours in Critical Diversity Studies programme is undertaken by students from various disciplines.

Overview

The Hons in the Field of Diversity Studies is an interdisciplinary programme undertaken by students from various disciplines (although most come from disciplines within the Humanities and Social Sciences). The content of the course can be applied to a variety of fields and professions, and the robustly critical approach to issues of diversity, difference, and otherness that the programme teaches will give you an ‘advantage’ to just about any field or profession as diversity is an aspect of just about any contemporary context. 

Many of our students have gone on to work in areas such as the media, non-governmental organisations, advocacy, research consultancies and have pursued PhD’s and academic careers. The programme is also ideal for individuals who seek careers in the transformation sector or who are already working in it and who wish to deepen their critical skills to improve their practice. There is no internship requirement for the completion of the course, and the degree does not involve professional registration.

Curriculum

Honours: (Plan code: AFACRIT40)

The requirements are that you do two core courses, two electives and a  research essay (i.e. your research fieldwork and report). There are two Diversity Studies core courses that are required for the completion of the  programme. These are:

  • Keywords in Critical Diversity Studies (SOSS4053A) (semester 1);
  • Research Methods for Critical Diversity Studies (SOSS4054A) (semester 1)

Electives: Electives are chosen from cross-listed courses in disciplines across the Faculty of Humanities which you can do in either semester.

N.B. Diversity Studies appears on the system as an option under the programme AHA00 (Hons). Choose AFACRIT40 Diversity Studies (Hons).

Each course consists of a 3-hour seminar once a week, date and time are negotiated between the lecturer and the students.

Entry Requirements

  • To be accepted into the programme, you would need a Bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines in Social Sciences or Humanities, although we may consider a background such as law.
  • 65% average for Bachelors.
  • Final selection of candidates is made by a selection committee.

Click here for more information.

Documents required:

If you completed your bachelor’s degree at Wits, you do not need to submit your transcript and certification online.

Another university
  • Transcripts and
  • certification
Outside of South Africa
  • a SAQA certification, indicating that your degree is equivalent to a level 8 at a South African Higher Education institution.

N.B. a letter of motivation is required.

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.