MA Applied Ethics for Professionals at University of the Witwatersrand

Programme overview

This is an integrated master’s degree programme designed for people in professional and leadership positions who are interested in ethical issues. It is offered by the Philosophy Department. The emphasis in this programme is on learning methods and techniques for thinking about ethical issues of any sort, not just those of immediate interest to this or that profession. Courses will introduce participants to the principal ethical theories such as utilitarianism and deontology, and critically investigate topics in applied ethics such as, for example, social justice, the value of life, or the risks of artificial intelligence.

Faculty: Humanities | Department: Social Sciences | Duration: 2 years part-time | Study mode: part-time | Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

What you will study

Course work Course work during the first year and first term of the second year will involve eight obligatory three-hour seminars on Saturdays, with extensive preparation prescribed for these seminars (approximately 10 hours each). The norm for assessment is a combination of written assignments or essays and a final examination (also on a Saturday) during the University’s exam period. These assign

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A bachelor’s degree with honours from Wits or another university with a 65% total mark aggregate. An NQF level 8 qualification such as an Honours degree, postgraduate diploma or a professional qualification (e.g., MBA, BSc(Eng), CA, LLB (second degree), MBBCh). At least one year's experience in a management or leadership position. Excellent written English. Ability to attend Saturday morning seminars (16 in the first year, 8 in the second) on the Wits campus.

ZAR 85,600 for the whole programme (2026). Average tuition fee per programme for 2026 as stated in the 2026 Fees Book, Chapter 2 (Average Tuition Fees); excludes additional charges (notes, computer, lab and other fees). Postgraduate international students pay local tuition plus the non-refundable Source

Postgraduate applications are made online at www.wits.ac.za/applications; the closing date for each programme is listed in its course finder entry. The application fee is R200 (not payable by current Wits students applying online), paid via the Self-Service Portal or by EFT to the Wits University Application Fees account at FNB.

Apply through the official page: https://www.wits.ac.za/applications

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities