Applications are OPEN.
NQF level 8 (Old) NQF level 9 (New), and related experience.
The minimum duration of a doctoral programme is two years (either full-time or part-time), excluding the pre-registration year.
All the information you need to know for your PhD Finance
Research:
This section of the document provides an overview of the Department of Finance and Investment Management’s doctoral programme by way of
RESEARCH.
Purpose of the programme:
A student should develop high-level applied competence in the mastering, interpreting, reflecting on, and applying principles in the broader field of Finance, Financial Management, Property Valuation and Management, or Investment Management (whichever is applicable).
Through the doctoral thesis, a qualifying student
shows evidence of extensive scientific research, application of scientific research methodologies, and an ability to reflect thereon in finance’s holistic context.
Furthermore, the essential (necessary and defining) requirement for the
award of a doctoral degree is an original contribution to a field of study; the originality needs to be predominantly theoretical, conceptual, or analytical rather than at the practical level of producing new data. In addition, proficiency in research methods and the ability to think and work independently should be demonstrated.
Rules of Access:
For admission to a doctoral programme, a candidate should have successfully completed a relevant master’s programme in the same or relevant field of study or discipline on NQF level 8 (old), 9 (new). The Faculty Board determines the relevant field of study or discipline concerned, approved by the Senate Higher Degrees Committee, ratified by Senate and contained in the Faculty Rules and Regulations concerned.
Alternatively,
any other related qualification with a programme specific minimum level of competency on NQF level 8 (old), 9 (new), and related experience that is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Finance and Investment Management may be considered admission into the programme.
Applicants will be
subject to a selection process as determined by the Department of Finance and Investment Management. In particular, in terms of the research proposal, the Department of Finance and Investment Management through the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee must specifically approve of the field of study, the research topic, research problem and intended methodology prior to the candidate registering.
Student Selection:
As there are only a limited number of places available for students in this programme, a stringent selection process of potential candidates will occur in November. This may include, but is not limited, to:
- A (paper-based) screening process of each application in terms of minimum requirements for entry into the programme, performance in the undergraduate and post-graduate programmes and the letter of motivation (which should accompany each application).
- Students satisfying these requirements will be invited to
attend a compulsory, weeklong Proposal Writing course.
- Candidates will be invited to present their research proposal during the following year. Final acceptance is conditional on the approval of this research proposal.
THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(OF APPROXIMATELY 10 PAGES) SHOULD among other things
INCLUDE:
- Proposed title of the study
- The rationale for the study (background to the study, including previous research on the subject).
- Identification of the research problem and formulation of the research question(s).
- The
main objective and specific objectives of the study. - Scope of the proposed study.
- Proposed research methodology.
- The unique theoretical and practical contribution of the study.
- List of references.
Applications:
Applications may be
submitted annually from 1 August and should be done online. Please ensure that you have the following documents available electronically when applying online.
- ID document (or passport document if you are an international student)
- Academic record (A complete academic record (and not a certificate of credits). Should be supplied
IRRESPECTIVE of whether or not you are/were a UJ student). - Certificate of conduct (from the university you attended last). If the certificate of conduct is not printed as part of your academic record, you have to request a separate certificate of conduct from the university.
- Qualification certificates (e.g. grade 12 (matric certificate, undergraduate- and postgraduate degree(s)).
- A
short letter of motivation, i.e. a narrative motivation why you believe you should be selected for the programme you are applying for and what the advantages of obtaining the qualification would mean to you personally. - SAQA evaluation certificate (if your highest academic qualification was not obtained at a South African university).
You are required to submit a UJ application form using the following link:
http://www.uj.ac.za.
OR
Submitting a
completed UJ application form (together with the necessary documents) at the Student Enrolment Centre (Auckland Park Kingsway Campus).
Closing Date:
The annual closing date for non-South African resident students’ applications is
30 September for commencement of study in the following year.
Scope of doctoral degree:
The output of a doctoral degree takes the form of a thesis, i.e.
a written document of approximately 300 to 500 pages in length, communicating the work that was pursued in the course of the project, its context and outcome, and communicating the original contribution made by the work.
The thesis
must make an original contribution to the subject knowledge, and the student must have sufficient knowledge of both the research subject and those fields in which the subject has a bearing.
It is also
expected that a doctoral graduate would have published at least two articles based on their thesis as a condition for graduation.
The articles should be based on the research and
must be submitted to the supervisor for submission for publication before the completion of the final assessment of the thesis.
The aim of the publication of such articles is to make research results more widely known to fellow experts in the field.
Depending on the student’s previous studies,
work experience and proposed research subject, it may be necessary to do additional preliminary research. The supervisor will, where deemed necessary, prescribe an additional study programme.
Furthermore, a student will be
expected to do the necessary self-study on the relevant subjects with which he/she deals in the thesis. Students are personally responsible for identifying and mastering the sources pertaining to the subject. However, their supervisor(s) may be of assistance in this regard.
The minimum duration of a doctoral programme is two years (either full-time or part-time), excluding the pre-registration year.
Assessment:
A supervisor (and co-supervisor) will be allocated to each doctoral candidate. The supervisor (and co-supervisor) will provide theoretical and practical advice and expert guidance to the student regarding the research project. The doctoral programme’s core output takes the form of a thesis, a written document communicating scholarly work that was pursued in the course of an approved research project, its context and outcome.
A doctoral candidate
must also publish at least two articles in order for their thesis to be submitted for assessment. The supervisor(s) will provide assistance in this regard.
A
minimum of three independent assessors will be appointed by the Department of Finance and Investment Management to assess the thesis.
Neither the supervisor nor the co-supervisor acts as an assessor of the thesis. The final mark for the dissertation is the average of the marks allocated by the independent assessors.
Language Medium:
The thesis may be completed in English.
Costs:
There are different costs associated with completing a PhD, depending on the nature of the registration (pre-registered or fully registered). The exact details and cost of the programme may be obtained from the division of Student Finance or from the UJ website
http://www.uj.ac.za
Ready to apply for
the PhD Finance?
Applications are OPEN.
The minimum duration of a doctoral programme is two years (either full-time or part-time), excluding the pre-registration year.
It is imperative that any student interested in commencing with a doctoral degree should contact Prof Chioma Okoro at:
Telephone: 011 559 4926
Email: chiomao@uj.ac.za
