phd in engineering management in south africa

Doctor of Philosophy

Join top candidates from across the continent, engage in robust knowledge sharing and hone your research skills.

Programme Information

• Programme Overview
• Entry Requirements
• CRM Enquiry

The WBS PhD programme is the largest in South Africa and one of the most highly regarded on the continent. We seek out and bring together top candidates from across Africa to address important topics in their PhD research that are relevant to the advancement of business and society on our continent. We have students from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and of course South Africa, and the best faculty from across the continent so that our PhD is authentically African in perspective. As a student of our PhD programme, you will gain real cultural and social insights from our commercial and political debates, you will sharpen your ability to articulate, grow in confidence and realise the vastness of the knowledge domains you can master by developing your learning and research skills. A PhD shows the world you are capable of putting in the disciplined effort, logical thought and leaps of insight needed to be a ground-breaking innovator. It tells employers that you work diligently to discover new truths, evaluate alternative approaches and forge ways forward based on solid evidence.

The School is particularly keen to enrol students in the following areas of study:

• Methodological Issues
• Business & Society
• Decision Sciences
• Organisational behaviour & diversity management
• Energy Leadership
• Digital Business
• Areas of study include but are not limited to African philanthropy, Community philanthropy, Public policy and philanthropy, Venture philanthropy, Corporate social investment, SDGs and philanthropy, Religion and philanthropy, Social investment, Impact investing, Wealth advisory, and Management of philanthropy among others.

Essential Websites to Visit:

• General Information - http://www.wits.ac.za/postgraduate
• International Applicants - http://www.wits.ac.za/internationalstudents
• SAQA evaluation of any Foreign Qualifications -  https://www.saqa.org.za/ (University requirement)
• Financial Assistance - https://www.wits.ac.za/internationalstudents/financial-information/ (apply directly with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office)
• Accommodation - http://www.wits.ac.za/accommodation (apply directly with the Central Accommodation Office)
• Application Fee Payment Options - https://www.wits.ac.za/study-at-wits/student-fees/
• University Rules and Regulations - https://www.wits.ac.za/students/academic-matters/rules-and-syllabuses/

Textbooks are available on www.mind-matters.co.za

Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.

• A Bachelor’s degree with Honours – upper 2nd class or better (i.e. both with an average of “B” or better). OR a Bachelor’s degree plus a postgraduate Diploma (both with an average of “B” or better).
• A good master's degree (i.e. an average of “B” or better).65% or more for specialised Masters Research Report and 70% or more for MBA research report.
• An outline of your proposed research.
• Availability of a suitable supervisor.
• A non-refundable application fee.
• Complete the on-line application form on the following link https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/
• Complete the Application Qualification Assessment form

Plagiarism Appendix – (to be downloaded, completed and submitted online)

• Motivation letter.
• A 12-pager proposal.
• Certified academic transcripts/records - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree.
• Certified academic certificates - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree.

How to apply to Wits

Complete the Online Application  form - parts 1&2 (Should you encounter any problems with the online application process please contact [email protected] )

A non-refundable application fee

Document Downloads

Application Qualification Assessment Form.pdf (432.67 KB)

PhD Guideline Document

Motivation letter A 12-pager proposal Certified academic transcripts/records - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree Certified academic certificates - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree

A R15 000 minimum deposit will be required upon acceptance of a place on the programme

Financial Assistance - https://www.wits.ac.za/internationalstudents/financial-information/

Words from our Alumni

Dr pulane modiha.

A very rewarding and demanding experience that provided a rare opportunity to thoroughly research the topic of executive management.

Nomusa Mazonde

Passing my PhD and graduating was a defining and memorable moment for me. A great sense of accomplishment, it was both the ‘Mama, I did it’ feeling and the ‘coming of age’ feeling which came with the sudden realisation that I could do that and more.

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Disclaimer: cancellation of programmes by wbs.

WBS is entitled to cancel or change the date of delivery of a programme without notice and for any reason without incurring any liability to individuals who have applied or are enrolled on the programme or any funders of such individuals (“participants” or “funders of participants”).

Without derogating from the aforesaid, and insofar as it possible, WBS will provide the participants or funders of the participants with 30 (thirty days) days written notice of any cancellation or changes in the dates of delivery of the programme. 

Insofar as the programme is cancelled or rescheduled prior to delivery of the programme then in that event the participants and funders of the participants will not be charged the full programme fees.

• People/Staff

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This PhD is offered in the fields of Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Project and Construction Management, Structural, Materials and Water Engineering. It can be completed over a minimum period of 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time.

Programme name: PhD

Credit distribution: 360-credits thesis that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Please note that this programme does not involve any coursework.

The research for the 360-credits dissertation will fall under one of the following sub-disciplines: Environmental, geotechnical, materials, structural, water, and project & construction management.

The 360-credits dissertation is conducted under the supervision of an academic from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Importantly, applicants are required to secure supervision from an academic before submitting their application. If the application form does not include a specific space to indicate the name of your supervisor, you should upload a document simply indicating the name of the academic that agreed to supervise you. Alternatively, you can upload the email exchange in which the academic agreed to supervise you. When your application is processed, your proposed supervisor will have to confirm that they indeed agreed to supervise you.

See the profiles and contact details of the academics of the School to engage with a potential supervisor. Please note that the School does not provide assistance in pairing students with potential supervisors. This is a task that every applicant is expected to undertake individually.

Entry Requirements

• Masters degree in which at least half of the credits were allocated to a research project
• Agreement to supervise from an academic of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Applicants that hold a masters degree that did not involve a significant research component, will have to first register for the Masters by research programme (ERA00) and subsequently apply for conversion to the PhD programme after demonstrating adequate research abilities. The conversion to the PhD programme must be done with the consent of the supervisor.

Note: Applicants holding foreign qualifications must subject their highest qualification to an evaluation by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . The outcome of the evaluation must be submitted as part of the application.

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.
• 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.

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The Engineering & the Built Environment Faculty offers the following postgraduate degrees and diplomas:

Bachelor of Architectural Studies (Honours)

Bachelor of City Planning (Honours)

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Management

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geographical Information Systems

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Materials Science

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nuclear Power

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Property Studies

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quantity Surveying

Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture & Planning

Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Economics & Management

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Energy Studies

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Management

Doctor of Philosophy in Geomatics

Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

Master of Architecture (Professional)

Master of Architecture (by research)

Master of City & Regional Planning

Master of Urban Design

Master of Transport Studies

Master of Geotechnical Engineering

Master of Engineering in Civil Infrastructure Management & Maintenance

Master of Engineering in Nuclear Power

Master of Engineering in Radar and Electrical Defence

Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering

Master of Engineering in Telecommunications

Master of Engineering in Transport Studies

Master of Engineering in Water Quality Engineering

Master of Landscape Architecture

Master of Philosophy in Architecture & Planning (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Architecture & Planning (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Architecture (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Architecture (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Conservation of the Built Environment (60 credits research, 120 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Construction Economics & Management (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Construction Economics and Management (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Energy Studies (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Energy & Development Studies (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Engineering Education (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Engineering Management (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Geomatics (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Geomatics (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Philosophy in Nuclear Power (60 credits research, 120 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Space Studies (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Minerals Resource Development (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Transport Studies (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Philosophy in Transport Studies (60 credits research, 120 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Engineering in Civil Infrastructure Management & Maintenance (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Civil Infrastructure Management & Maintenance (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Engineering in Geomatics (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Geomatics (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Engineering in Geotechnical Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Materials Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Materials Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Engineering in Sustainable Energy Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Structural Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Water Quality Engineering (120 credits research, 60 credits coursework)

Master of Science in Engineering in Water Quality Engineering (180 credits research)

Master of Science in Project Management

Master of Science in Property Studies

Postgraduate Diploma in Power Plant Engineering

Please note: for detailed information on these degrees and diplomas please consult the Engineering & the Built Environment Faculty handbook .