PhD Programme

The School offers a PhD programme (by thesis) in Development Studies and in Population Studies. We have aimed to build a vibrant and active community of PhD scholars, ideally based in Durban, and fully integrated into the academic life of the School. We offer an intellectually rich and exciting, academically supportive and socially generous environment to undertake a PhD.

PhD students are required to undertake a substantive research project that makes an original contribution towards their field of study and demonstrates their mastery of the methodologies they have chosen to use. Candidates can elect to register for Masters level courses in order to develop new skills required for their research.

We seek doctoral students who we believe will add considerably to the intellectual spirit of the disciplines of Development Studies and Population Studies and who will participate in the daily academic life and activities of the School. The minimum requirement for admission is an appropriate social science Masters degree with at least 60% and above.

The academic management of the programme resides with the PhD coordinator,   Dr Kerry Vermaak with the support of Student Administrator, Ms Lucia Jali 

Please direct any queries to the relevant person.
       
The closing date for applications will be 31 May of the year in question (for registration in Semester 2) and 31 October  (for registration in Semester 1 of the following year). While applications are welcome throughout the year, applicants who send in their applications before these dates will only receive a letter indicating the outcome in June and November.

To find out more about student fees and other university-wide information, please refer to the general university portal for  current students http://www.ukzn.ac.za/students