PhD - African Energy Leadership

Our Work

We equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to meet Africa’s energy challenges

PhD Programme

Programme Overview

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.

Research Themes

The Research Programme will feed into the Postdoctoral portfolio and will focus on the following areas of study/broad research themes:

Energy 4.0 for African Cities

Energy Transitions

Energy Policy

Entry Requirements

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
Click here and complete and submit the form that downloads (parts 1 and 2)
Click here and complete and submit the Application Qualification Assessment form
Motivation letter
C.V.
A 12-page proposal
Certified academic transcripts/records - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree
Certified academic certificates - Undergraduate, Honours and Masters Degree

Application Process

Only online applications are accepted.

Deadline for applications:

Please ensure that all information is correct and that you have included all of the information requested from you.

Document downloads:

Basics

2022 PhD guideline document

2020 WBS plagiarism policy

Checklist explanation document

Terms and conditions for PG funding applications

Please note:

WBS reserves the right to change its schedule as required.
WBS processes applications for admissions in the order of receipt thereof.
A R15 000 minimum deposit will be required upon acceptance.
Click here if you require financial assistance.
Click here for our full disclaimer.

Contact Details

General Enquiries:

+27 (0)11 717 3574

marketing.aelc@wits.ac.za

Admission Enquiries:

Qawekazi Damane

qawekazi.damane@wits.ac.za

Disclaimer

WBS reserves the right to change its schedule as required.
WBS processes applications for admissions on a continuous basis in the order of receipt thereof.
A R15 000 minimum deposit will be required upon acceptance of a place on the programme.
Click here for our full disclaimer

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.
Click here for the Wits Business School Rules and Regulations

Basics

Duration

18 to 24 months

Study Mode

Block Release

Level

NQF 9

Composition

9 Core Courses

Compulsory

1 Elective Course

50%

1 Research Report

50%*

African Energy Leadership Centre