The WESAF doctoral program aims to provide research training to equip students (primarily academics already holding tenured positions) to complete interdisciplinary doctoral research on areas related to sustainability on the African continent.
The blended program is designed to enable students to complete primarily an online master’s followed by a primarily online doctorate.
The master’s by Research and PhD programs will combine in-person elements including sustainability schools (in person schools focused on enhancing knowledge in the field of sustainability research) in South Africa and contact sessions in Edinburgh alongside workplace-based internships. Supervision will be jointly delivered online by academics from both UoE and Wits.
The program will recruit an initial cohort of 50 students from faculties from partner African higher education institutions to complete sustainability focused doctoral studies.
Following an initial online master’s by Research, to front-load the development of critical research skills and delivered full time, at least 30 of these students will continue to complete PhDs either full-time or part-time.
Through its cohort approach and emphasis on advanced research design and methods training, the programme will produce a powerful cohort of African research specialists committed to addressing Africa’s sustainability challenges on its own terms.
Impacts The Universities of the Witwatersrand and Edinburgh share a long-standing and productive partnership. Bound by common values, the Institutions are committed to collaboratively producing the kinds of knowledge that will shape dignified, equitable and sustainable futures for people across the world.
About University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is a multi-campus South African public research university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University or Wits.
The university has its roots in the mining industry, as do Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand in general. Founded in 1896 as the South African School of Mines in Kimberley, it is the third oldest South African university in continuous operation.
The university has an enrolment of 40,259 students as of 2018, of which approximately 20 percent live on campus in the university’s 17 residences. 63 percent of the university’s total enrolment is for undergraduate study, with 35 percent being postgraduate and the remaining 2 percent being Occasional Students.
Benefits
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MSc by Research fees
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Participation in two sustainability schools (in person) in Johannesburg. Covered costs include visa applications for South Africa entry, vaccinations as necessary, accommodation and subsistence while in Johannesburg, return flights and internal travel.
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Laptops and connectivity where appropriate
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Reading material will be accessible through the University of Edinburgh online library and other resources will be made available by course lecturers (no cost will be attached to courses or dissertation)
Costs covered during the PhD programme are:
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Tuition fees
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Participation in two sustainability schools (in person) (one in Edinburgh (2025) one in Johannesburg
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(2027)), including visa applications for South Africa entry, vaccinations as required, accommodation and subsistence while in Johannesburg, return flights and internal travel.
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Research placements of between 1 and 6 months will be arranged for students at some point in the second or in the third year of the PhD. A stipend to cover costs for the placement with external industry (or appropriate workplace) partner. Scholarships are granted for 3 years for full time study and six years for part time study for the PhD.
Annual reporting on progress will be mandatory.
Requirements
To apply for this programme, applicants must:
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Have successfully completed a university degree that will qualify for entry into a Master’s programme
at the University of Edinburgh (A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). -
Demonstrate a level of English language competency that will enable one to succeed in the studies,
regardless of nationality or country of residence. -
Have generally completed their last university degree not more than three and a half years ago
and/or have demonstrable experience in academia/research at the time of application. -
Be nationals or permanent residents of an African country
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Be a) a staff member at one of the partner universities, OR b) a candidate being considered for
teaching or research staff recruitment by the partner universities.
Female applicants, applicants from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and candidates from other
less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to apply.
PhD in Sustainable African Futures
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A time plan that demonstrates that the doctoral thesis dissertation will be completed in good time.
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A recommendation letter from the master’s supervisor at the University of Edinburgh
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A 2–5-page concept paper for the proposed PhD project.
How to Apply
Application Deadline
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