PhD Law at University of the Witwatersrand

Programme overview

Enhance your knowledge of a highly specialised area of law by conducting your own research. The PhD is suitable for students who have an interest in conducting independent and highly specialised academic research which may not be available as postgraduate courses. Our academics have expertise to supervise in an extensive range of legal topics which would enhance the professional expertise and standing of those who complete this degree.

Faculty: Commerce, Law and Management | Department: Law | Duration: 2 - 4 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A master’s degree or an equivalent qualification from Wits University or another university. Your application should include a CV, an academic record (transcript) and a short proposal, also known as an expression of interest. The short proposal is a document of 7 – 10 pages that outlines the applicant’s proposed research and the research questions to be investigated. It should include a provisional title as well as a provisional bibliography. Applications are considered on the basis of candidates’ academic record, the strength of their expression of interest and the availability of an appropriate supervisor in the School. Prospective research students are therefore further encouraged to approach potential supervisors in advance of their application, i.e. to find a member of staff in the School of Law who is willing in principle to supervise their proposed research. Profiles of our staff

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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