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Doctor of Philosophy (Law)

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Doctor of philosophy (Law)

SAQA

110870

NQF Level

10

Duration

2 – 5 years

Closing Date

31 October

Overview

The PhD in Law is a full research doctoral programme. Doctoral students are required to demonstrate a comprehensive and high level of thinking, enquiry and insight. The research produced must be independently produced, demonstrate critical thinking and assessment and must contain an original contribution to new knowledge in the field. Students must not just engage in meaningful and sound academic discourse to create new knowledge within the chosen context of law, but also write an academic paper for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Entry Requirement

As a research-based degree, a master’s degree in Law or a cognate discipline is a requirement. A module in Research Methodology at a postgraduate level is advised.

Programme Structure

While there is no coursework required of students, students must attend regular sessions with her or his supervisor, follow instructions from supervisors, and submit progress reports twice a year. Students are further expected to attend research and writing workshops convened by the discipline, the School of Law or the College of Law and Management Studies, and publish at least one article in an approved peer-review journal. Registrants may undertake full-time or part-time study. The requisite 392 credits are earned solely through thesis research and production.

Mode of teaching

Students enter into a contract with his or her supervisor to govern and facilitate the research experience.

Programme supervisors

Supervisors will be drawn from the discipline or other duly qualified academics upon review and approval.

Fee Remission for Full-Research Students

If you become a full-time doctoral and research master’s student, you will qualify for full fee remission for the minimum duration of your degree, subject to satisfactory progress requirements being met.

This applies to all students, i.e. local, SADC and international, who are full-time students (not studying on a part-time basis), who register for the first time for a doctoral degree or a full research master’s degree by dissertation, (i.e. not by coursework and dissertation).

Minimum duration means one year or two semesters in the case of master’s students, and three years or six semesters in the case of doctoral students.

How to Apply

  • The post-graduate administrator will “process” your application and send it to the programme co-ordinator for review. It is vitally important that you attach all the required documentation when applying online.
  • If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of acceptance with documents that you need to complete and return to the Programme administrator.

  • Please be advised that submission requirements for Master’s qualifications depend on whether you are applying for Coursework or Full Research. Please select the relevant tab below to review the specific document checklist.

Required Documents

Please ensure that the following is enclosed with your application. All documentation needs to be certified. (certification must not be older than 3 months)

  1. A certified copy of your matric certificate;
  2. A certified copy of your identity document;
  3. Certified copies of your full academic record; proof of financial clearance and a certificate of conduct from that institution;
  4. A non-refundable application fee of R210;
  5. A copy of your curriculum vitae;
  6. A one-page personal motivation for wanting to do the particular LLM.
  7. An example of academic or professional writing, done within the past three years.
  8. Any other documentation which might be relevant.

Please ensure that the following is enclosed with your application. All documentation needs to be certified. (certification must not be older than 3 months)

  1.  A certified copy of your matric certificate;

  2.  A certified copy of your identity document;

  3. Certified copies of your full academic record; proof of financial clearance and a certificate of conduct from that institution;

  4. A non-refundable application fee of R210;

  5. A copy of your curriculum vitae;

  6. A one-page personal motivational letter

  7. A Research Intent

  8. Any other documentation which might be relevant.

Contact Details

Programme co-ordinator

Dr Sheetal Soni

SoniSh@ukzn.ac.za

Postgraduate administrator

Ms Gina Mshengu

Email: MshenguG@ukzn.ac.za

Postgraduate administrator for thesis examination

Mr Pradeep Ramsewak

Email: ramsewakp@ukzn.ac.za