PhD Creative Writing at University of the Witwatersrand

Programme overview

The PhD in Creative Writing offers deeply committed and exceptionally talented writers the opportunity to study Creative Writing at the highest level. Supported by an expert supervisor, you will work independently towards the production of a substantial piece of creative writing, accompanied by a sustained exercise in critical study. Places are limited and acceptance is based on the excellence of the application.

Faculty: Humanities | Department: Literature, Language and Media | Duration: 2-5 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Career pathways

Graduates of the programme have gone on to publish books, as well as to work in a wide range of fields, including publishing, television, theatre and journalism.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

An MA in Literature or Creative Writing. At least one book of writing (in addition to the work produced for an MA), in a creative-writing genre (fiction or nonfiction) published through a reputable publisher; or a substantial body of work (short stories, essays etc) in reputable journals or anthologies. A work/several works that demonstrate competency to conduct the research and writing for the dissertation (nonfiction essays, academic papers), and that show ability to conduct a scholarly argument and to make use of other texts in the construction of this argument. These works should be of a standard consonant with entry to a PhD programme as rated by peer review (newspaper and/or journal reviews and/or expert opinion solicited by the coordinator of the PhD in Creative Writing). Candidates should submit work that demonstrates competency, as mentioned above, and other examples of their pu

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Research and PhD applicants must approach the relevant school or department to discuss the research topic and availability of a supervisor before applying.

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

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