Wits-Edinburgh Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures for African Students 2023

The WESAF doctoral programme 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 programme is designed to enable students to complete primarily online masters followed by a primarily online doctorate.

The Masters by Research and PhD programmes will combine in-person elements including sustainability schools (in person schools focussed 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 programme 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 Masters 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.

• Table of Content
• About University of the Witwatersrand
• Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures
• Aim and Benefits of Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures
• Requirements for Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of the Witwatersrand

Wits University is taking the lead in reimagining trendy Braamfontein to further our contribution in delivering high level scarce skills for the global knowledge economy. Our location in Johannesburg, the economic and industrial heartland of the African continent, places us in good stead to interact with the public and private sectors, civil society and other social agents to effect meaningful change in society. ... continue reading

Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures

Aim and Benefits of Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures

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. Under this overarching vision, WESAF aims to:

• Equip universities to grapple with complex, continental challenges for sustainable development
• Generate inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability in Africa
• Incubate intersectoral, industry aligned African strategies for sustainability with global impact.
• Strengthen regional research capacity networks through networking of partner institutions and partner universities.

Costs covered during the 12 months of the MSc by Research programme are:

• MSc by Research fees
• 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.
• Laptops and connectivity where appropriate
• 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:

• Tuition fees
• Participation in two sustainability schools (in person) (one in Edinburgh (2025) one in Johannesburg
  (2027)), including visa applications for South Africa entry, vaccinations as required, accommodation and
  subsistence while in Johannesburg, return flights and internal travel.
• 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 for Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures Qualification

MScR Programme in Sustainable African Futures

The target group for scholarships is emerging researchers and academics who meet the requirements to
pursue a master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh.
To apply for this programme, applicants must:

• 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
• 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

Only candidates that have completed the MScR in Sustainable African Futures are eligible to apply for the
PhD programme. Candidates invited to apply for this programme will submit an online application form. In
addition to the online application form, applicants must upload the following mandatory documents:

• A time plan that demonstrates that the doctoral thesis dissertation will be completed in good time
• A recommendation letter from the Masters supervisor at the University of Edinburgh
• A 2-5 page concept paper for the proposed PhD project.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Doctoral Programme In Sustainable African Futures

The programme will be launched in September 2023.
While all the scholars are expected to complete the Masters by Research in one year, it is anticipated that some scholars will undertake the PhDs flexibly, some full time and others part time while continuing in their substantive roles at their universities. The PhD could be undertaken in various forms, including by publication.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit University of the Witwatersrand, website.