Interdisciplinary Digital Knowledge Economy Studies

The Wits Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Digital Knowledge Economy Studies (MA IDKES) is a postgraduate academic qualification that provides capacity to operate in Africa's dynamic ICT ecosystem and digital knowledge economy.

Overview

This dissertation-only degree empowers its candidates to do intensive investigation into a particular component of the African ICT ecosystem and digital knowledge economy. 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 ICT ecosystem and digital knowledge economy policy, regulation and practice
  • Conducting intensive investigating a research problem and producing a full-length Master's dissertation
Who should participate?

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.

Curriculum

The candidate completes a Master's dissertation, based on original research, under the supervision of a member of the LINK Centre's teaching and research team.

Entry Requirements

The MA in Interdisciplinary Digital Knowledge Economy Studies is a higher-level degree. 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' working experience in an appropriate field
  • Satisfactory completion of Wits admissions tests measuring cognitive, arithmetic and general reasoning abilities.

For applicants with qualifications obtained from institutions outside South Africa:

  • applications received after that closing date will be considered only if the applicant has a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) certificate of verification
  • 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 include the following supporting documentation:

  1. Certificates of all degree qualifications stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths
  2. Full academic transcript of the most recent degree qualification
  3. SAQA certificate of evaluation if your degree is from a university outside South Africa
  4. CV
  5. Short note (no more than one page) giving reasons why you wish to study for this degree programme. Please include your possible topic of research and the reasons why you wish to conduct such research.

You will also be required to complete an admissions test. Taken together, these allow us to undertake a balanced assessment of your suitability for the programme.

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.