phd in political science in south africa

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Political Studies

We have a lively community of doctoral students under the supervision of members of staff in the department. Our PhD students participate fully in the postgraduate life of the department.

Completing a  Ph.D  in politics from Wits can open up a range of career opportunities, including academic positions, research roles in government and non-governmental organisations, and roles in think tanks and policy institutes.  

The Department of Political Studies is one of the oldest and most respected departments of political science in South Africa. It has a diverse faculty with expertise in a range of fields, including political theory, African politics, development studies, public policy, human rights, social movements, transitional justice, gender and sexuality, and religion and politics.  

Practical advice regarding the application process  

Start with the department before making a formal application to the university  

We strongly encourage people who are considering applying to get in touch with the departmental  Ph.D  Coordinator, Prof Joel Quirk ( [email protected] ), before taking the step of submitting a formal application for admission through the Wits online system.  

To be accepted into our  Ph.D  programme you need to have a  Ph.D  supervisor confirmed as part of the application process. This is frequently the most challenge step for admission. Prof Quirk coordinates this process at a department level by trying to match applicants with suitable supervisors (but applicants can also approach potential supervisors directly as well). We cannot secure a suitable supervisor for everyone who applies, so we are sometimes obliged to turn down applications with strong marks due to a lack of suitable supervision.  

To help place candidates with supervisors we ask people who are considering submitting an application to send the following documentation to Prof Quirk via email:  

• A short research proposal (aim for roughly 3,000 words, and try and include your research questions, a brief account of the relevant literature and your place within it, and a short sketch of your proposed research methods)
• A sample of your academic writing (usually your MA dissertation, but can also be an essay from a postgraduate course).
• Complete academic transcript(s).
• A current CV.

Potential supervisors read these proposals and work samples in order to decide whether or not they are in a position to supervise, so you should try and ensure that the proposal is as strong as possible in terms of displaying your research plans to best effect.  

Information regarding the kinds of topics which members of staff are available to supervise  can be found here . Some staff members already have a large cohort of students to supervise, so not everyone is available.   

The formal application process  

Once you have a suitable supervisor lined up you will need to move to the formal application process. This needs to include the following elements, which get uploaded onto the Wits online system.   

•      All Graduation Certificates (everything needs to be recently certified) 
•      Mark Transcripts (the mark for your MA thesis mark must be identifiable within the overall coursework marks transcript)
•      A current CV
•      A writing sample.
•      PhD Mini-Research Proposal (aim for around 3,000 words)
•      SAQA Evaluation for non-South African degrees (this increasingly takes longer than it should, and there are currently provisions in place to apply and be provisionally accepted while waiting for SAQA certification to come through). 

You will find information for online applications at Wits here:  https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/portal/index  

Please do note that we do not usually accept PhD applications which have less that the following: a) the average mark for your  Masters  degree (thesis and coursework) must be a minimum of 70%  AND b) the research thesis must also have a minimum of 70%. Applicants with non-South African degrees are evaluated on an equivalence basis. We also take professional experience into account in determining admission.   

There is funding available through the National Research Foundation, Post-Graduate Merit Awards, and a number of other options. However, the vast majority of available funding options require you to have an offer of admission (which in turn requires having a supervisor lined up), so we generally suggest prioritising the admissions process before moving to the funding issue. Admissions at  Ph.D  level are accepted on a rolling basis, but the funding cycle and academic calendar are structured around the expectation of a February start date. The South African Department of Home Affairs can make things challenging for international students, so it can sometimes take a while to secure a student visa following admission.   There are provisions for full-time and part-time studies. It is expected that the full-time programme will take three years, but it is not uncommon for students to take four to five years. Part-time is expected to be five years, but six or seven years is not uncommon here.  

Entry Requirements

All PhD applicants must have 70% or above in their   Masters   course work or Masters by Research.  

 Also see the overview.  

University Application Process

• Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC) . Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment.  Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines. 
• Please apply online . Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal .
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the  Self Service Portal .
• Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students , please check this section .

For more information,  contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits .

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here . Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities.  NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies.  External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Political Sciences

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Welcome to the Department of Political Sciences, based in the Faculty of Humanities. The department is engaged in numerous cutting-edge research projects and presents prospective students with degree packages and modules in International Relations and Political Science at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

For more information regarding the department, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Undergraduate

Politics undergraduate programmes include:

Politics (PTO) 101

Political Sciences (PTO) 210

Political Sciences 220

International Relations (IPL) 210

International Relations 220

Political Sciences 310

Political Sciences 320

International Relations 310

International Relations 320

Postgraduate

Politics postgraduate programmes include:

MA Programme in Diplomatic Studies (Coursework)

MA Programme in Security Studies (Coursework)

PhD programme in Leadership and Security Studies

BAHons in Political Sciences

MA in Political Sciences (Research)

PhD in Political Sciences (Research)

BAHons in International Relations

MA in International Relations (Research)

PhD in International Relations

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24 Best universities for Political Science in South Africa

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in South Africa ranked based on their research performance in Political Science. A graph of 2.16M citations received by 191K academic papers made by 24 universities in South Africa was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Cape Town

For Political Science

2. University of the Witwatersrand

3. University of Stellenbosch

4. University of Pretoria

5. University of KwaZulu-Natal

6. University of South Africa

7. University of Johannesburg

8. North-West University

9. University of the Western Cape

10. University of the Free State

11. Rhodes University

12. Nelson Mandela University

13. University of Fort Hare

14. Tshwane University of Technology

15. University of Limpopo

16. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

17. Durban University of Technology

18. University of Zululand

19. Vaal University of Technology

20. University of Venda

21. Walter Sisulu University

22. Central University of Technology

23. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

24. Mangosuthu University of Technology

The best cities to study Political Science in South Africa based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cape Town , Johannesburg , Stellenbosch , and Pretoria .

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in South Africa

Stellenbosch University | Political Science

TEACHING POLITICAL SCIENCE

English | Afrikaans

UNDERGRADUATE

• BA International Studies Modules

POSTGRADUATE

• Honours Programme
• »Political Science
• »Honours (International Studies)
• MA Programme
• Doctoral Programme
• Short Course in PERA
• Postgraduate Documentation

​​​Doctoral Programme (PhD)

Admission r​​eq​uirements

A master’s degree ​​​with postgraduate training in research methodology. A candidate who has not completed a postgraduate research methodology course must register for the equivalent thereof at the department. Final admission to doctoral studies is dependent on the acceptance of a research proposal.

Programme st​ructure

The programme entails a research project that extends over a minimum of two years and leads to the dissertation.

The programme focuses on contemporary issues in the different fields of Political Science and International Studies. Particular emphasis is placed on research problems that are related to South and Southern Africa, and that are linked to the Department’s research programmes. The content of the dissertation is determined by the nature of the research problem that is being investigated, the content of the research aim and the procedures for gathering data.

​​​Presentation

Candidates are required to undertake independent research under the supervision of a promoter and to submit a written research report in the form of a dissertation. This dissertation is evaluated internally as well as externally. The candidate must also undergo an oral examination which focuses on the content of the dissertation and the candidate’s knowledge of the discipline.

​Form​al provisions

Before sending in an application to the registrar, it is advisable to contact the Chairperson of the Department (Prof. Nicola De Jager) in order to discuss the proposed doctoral project, and the possible appointment of a promoter. Once a promoter is appointed, the candidate prepares a formal proposal, setting out the problem to be investigated, the main research hypotheses, the method of research and the project’s expected contribution to the discipline. It is on the basis of this proposal that the Faculty’s Research Committee, decides to confirm an application for doctoral studies.

Prospective doctoral candidates are advised to consult Part One of the Yearbook, as well as the Faculty of Arts’ Higher Degrees Guide.

Enquiries : Prof. N de Jager Tel: +27 21 808 2107 E-mail: [email protected]

Ms Pauliane Davidse Tel: +27 21 808 2414 E-mail: [email protected]

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Politics and International Relations​

Why study politics and international relations.

Politics colours everything that happens around you every day: at home; in your social life; in your community; in your work; in your country and in the world at large. Politics is about who gets what, where and when, but are you aware of how much it affects you? This major offers you the best of both domestic politics and international relations issues and affords you the necessary critical skills to understand and meet these challenges all in an effort to improve the human condition.

Possible careers include:

• The diplomatic service and other government institutions
• Research and analysis (for think tanks and other organisations such as SAIIA, SIRR, HSRC)
• Work for the World Bank, SADC, the UN and other regional and international organisations
• Journalism (political or otherwise)
• Policymaking
• Gender activist
• Banking sector
• Political risk assessors
• The tourism industry
• Multinational Corporations such as Coca Cola and MTN
• Development agencies/banks
• International non-governmental organisations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch
• Military and/or intelligence sector
• Professor; Associate Professor; Senior lecturer; Lecturer; Junior lecturer, Adjunct senior lecturer

Majors and elective modules to combine with your major include:

• Development Studies
• Public Management and Governance
• Journalism, Film and Television

Postgraduate studies:

Click here to learn more

Study abroad! Click here to find out top degrees in Politics and International Relations.

Click here for info on how UJ continues to be one of the best institutions due to the dynamic teaching methods employed by its staff members, partucularly those in our department!

​​​Undergraduate​ Undergraduate Modules​ Postgraduate Postgraduate Admission and Enquiries Honours​ Masters​ PhD and ​MA Graduates (Since 2012)

Important Information

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Master's & doctoral degrees

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Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences

Closing date for applications for admission to master's and doctoral qualifications for 2024 academic year (some exceptions apply) extended to 31 january 2024..

Admission requirements

Student fees and funding your studies.

• Application for admission

Registration

An appropriate master's degree. In addition to this requirement, applicants must submit a transcript or an academic record, as well as a document describing their intended research. All students with foreign qualifications, including those with qualifications from African countries, must have their qualifications evaluated at SAQA. (www.saqa.org.za) Students will be accepted on the following criteria: suitability and viability of the intended research; adequate supervisory capacity and research expertise in the discipline or department. There is an approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa's policies on equality and diversity in the discipline or department.

Time limits for this degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.12 and 4.13 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees .

A student registered for a research doctoral programme must complete the study programme within six years. A student may make application to the Registrar for one additional year of study who will only consider the application if it is recommended by the Executive Dean of the College in which the student is registered.

Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree will require you to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. Coursework may be required as preparation or value addition to the research, but does not contribute to the credit value of the qualification. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that you will be required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline or field. This work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.

Research focus areas

Click here  to view a list of departments and research focus areas for the College of Human Sciences.

Research outline 

Unisa’s admission policy has changed and you are now required to submit a detailed research outline for the qualification for which you apply. No application submitted without a detailed research outline will be considered. Although this research outline may differ for each qualification or academic department, the basic information required is as follows:

• Summary of topic
• Short literature review
• Expected contribution of the study
• Methodology to be followed
• Availability of the data
• List of references
• Reasons why you are interested in the topic

Your research outline must align with one of the departmental research focus areas. Please also take note of Unisa's Catalytic Niche Areas; you should strive to incorporate at least one of the Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) into your research. These include the following: 

• Marine studies      
• Aviation and aeronautical studies      
• Automotive      
• Energy      
• Space study and square kilometre array      
• Fourth IR and digitalisation      
• Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)      
• Health studies/medicine      
• Feminist, womanist and bosadi theorisations      
• Student support and co-curricular activities      

You can join the CGS-facilitated CNA working groups for the next series of meetings. For more information, visit www.unisa.ac.za/cgs  

Click here  for the guidelines on how to prepare a research outline. 

Plagiarism of any form is unacceptable. Please take note of Unisa's Policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism .

Application fee

Pay the online application fee of R140,00 once you have received your Unisa student number.

Please note: 

• The application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa.
• Use the student number you receive from Unisa AND the application fee reference number (eg STUDENTNUMBER 5370810030). 
• Send your proof of payment to [email protected]  
• Visit www.unisa.ac.za/paymentinfo for Unisa's payment methods and banking details. International students are advised to use the  Flywire payment option . 

An application for a student number does not constitute an application for admission. After you receive your student number, you must still complete the online application for admission process and  upload the compulsory supporting documents. 

Student fees

Click here for the 2024 student fee information. The fee information for the 2025 academic year will be available at the time of registration. 

Students registering for qualifications through the Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) should visit the  SBL website for fee information, as the SBL uses a different fee structure.

Click here for student funding/bursary opportunities.

Apply for a student number and apply for admission

Application are online only! Applications for admission to master's and doctoral degrees to be open from 2 September to 22 November 2024 . Click here for the list of qualification that will remain open until the end of June 2025. 

Click here  to apply for a student number and apply for admission.

Please ensure that you apply for a Unisa student number (if applicable), apply for admission and upload all the supporting documents during the application period. If you already have a Unisa student number, you proceed to apply for admission and upload all the supporting documents.

You have 10 working days to upload all the supporting documents during the application period. If you do not comply with this requirement, your application will be declined and you will have to re-apply for admission during the current/next application period.

Only students whose application for admission was approved and re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) will be allowed to register online within the approved registration period for the 2025 academic year. Coursework master's degree students must await the official approval of their research proposal module, before attempting to re-register for the next academic year. Students with outstanding fees or a Library block on their accounts, will not be able to register online until these issues have been resolved. No printed registration forms will be accepted.

Click here  for registration information.