ICT Policy and Regulation

Overview

The degree is offered through the LINK Centre at the Faculty of Humanities, School of Literature, Language and Media. It is designed to meet the needs of policymakers, regulators, operators, communications managers in large and small organisations, user and consumer groups, NGOs, and others involved in or affected by ICT sector policy and regulation.

The degree provides participants with an opportunity to improve their professional skills and/or refocus their expertise through:

• expanding and updating their knowledge of policy and regulation for the digital economy
• investigating research problems and exploring new ideas and experiences
• interacting and networking with leading academics and practitioners
• reflecting on their personal goals, values and career paths

Who should attend?
This degree is designed for middle to senior-level managers and practitioners working in the broad electronic communications and ICT sector across the African continent. The sector includes telecommunications and electronic communications operators; the IT industry; the broadcasting and digital audio-visual content services sector; trade unions; national electronic communications regulators and regional regulatory associations; government policy departments, including communications, trade and industry, science and technology; science councils; university teaching departments; consumer advocates, and development sector entities.

Upon completion of the degree, the successful student will be able to:

• demonstrate an advanced understanding of a comparative range of policy and regulatory frameworks for the digital economy
• apply high-level conceptual and analytical tools to the digital policy and regulatory environment in African and developing-country contexts
• critically analyse, assess and evaluate the complex and rapidly changing organisational, regulatory and policy environment for the digital economy
• undertake and present critical comparison of the African ICT environment with international models and best practice benchmarks
• undertake advanced independent research into issues pertaining to the digital economy in Africa, and formulate and present appropriate results and conclusions

This is a research-intensive degree, comprising 50% coursework and a 50% research report. An intensive and interactive teaching methodology is used on the coursework component, comprised of several learning methods including lectures, syndicate group work, case studies, structured online learning activities, and presentations from local and international experts in the field. Intensive reading preparation is required for the coursework modules, with assessment conducted via grading of group work presentations, of individual assignments, and written exam-equivalent assignments (or examinations). In this way, participants develop a strong practical focus, directly applicable to their own organisations, that prepares them to engage with policy and regulatory matters in the electronic communications and ICT sectors, as well as in other domains of digital transformation.

All lectures are offered on a hybrid, interactive basis.

Registrations to attend individual MA ICTPR courses, for non-degree purposes, are also accepted.

Curriculum

The curriculum comprises three coursework modules (the 50% coursework), including a dedicated 2-week module on research methods; and a compulsory research report  of 25,000 to 30,000 words (the 50% research). The research report provides a sound foundation for those students wishing to proceed to PhD studies in this field, as well as for practitioners engaged in research-based decision-making in industry or government in a range of economic sectors.

Candidates may complete the degree on a part-time basis over a two-year period if they are in full-time employment. A maximum period of study of four years is allowed for completion of the degree. In the first year of study, candidates are expected to complete the three coursework modules, which are each provided in two-week blocks. In the second year of study, candidates are expected to complete the 25,000- to 30,000-word research report.

Fundamental and core courses (compulsory):
SLLS7067A: Global trends in ICT policy, law, market structures and regulatory reform
SLLS7068A: ICT infrastructure, technologies, resources, applications and innovation
SLLS7069A: Research methods in ICT policy and regulation

Research Report (compulsory):
MA ICTPR Research Report:
SLLS7054A: Research Report Part 1
SLLS7055A: Research Report Part 2

Entry Requirements

The MA ICTPR is a higher degree in policy and regulation. As well as an honour's degree or equivalent, you will need to have at least three years of relevant work experience. This may be salaried or voluntary but must include organisational experience, either in management or in policy design. RPL (recognition of prior learning) may be requested on an individual basis.

The following criteria are applied in the evaluation of applications for acceptance:

• a Bachelor's degree with Honours, or postgraduate diploma or equivalent, achieved at a suitable level and preferably related to one of the following fields: information and communications technology (ICT), media studies,  public policy, law, economics, regulation, development theory
• evidence of research writing at Bachelor's or Bachelor's-with-Honours level
• at least three years work experience in an appropriate field

For applicants with qualifications obtained from institutions outside South Africa:

• the closing date for applications is 30 November and applications after that closing date will be considered only if the applicant has a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) certificate of evaluation
• verification of your international qualification(s) must be obtained from SAQA
• the SAQA verification of qualifications must accompany the online application to Wits
• you should apply as soon as possbible for SAQA verification of your qualifications (see SAQA Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications)
• early application to SAQA will enable you to have the application processed by Wits in time for you to apply for a study visa (should a study visa be required)

Applications should be submitted online. Look under the list of degrees for Master of Arts and choose ICT Policy and Regulation (ACA15).

University Application Process

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. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. 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.