Demography and Population Studies
The PhD in Demography and Population Studies is offered over 3 to 4 years.
Overview
The PhD is a research degree completed through the production of an original thesis. Students make a substantive contribution to knowledge in demography, population studies, or population health. Subject to supervisor availability, students may also co-supervise Honours students and engage in teaching, as negotiated with the Head of Programme.
Career Opportunities
Academic and research positions at universities and research institutes; senior research and policy roles at international organisations (WHO, Africa CDC, UN agencies, World Bank); health demography and population science leadership positions in government and NGOs.
Curriculum
- Thesis-based research degree. No formal coursework — students conduct independent research under supervision.
- Journal publications and conference presentations are agreed upon with the supervisor.
Entry Requirements
- A Masters degree from Wits or another recognised university with a minimum 70% aggregate (65% for South 第一吃瓜网 students)
- Prospective students must first submit a CV and up to three PhD research proposals to the department for assessment, along with confirmation of funding and intended study mode
- Online application is completed only after departmental acceptance and supervisor assignment.
Course Application Process
Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Only apply once your application has been assessed and communicated by the relevant department. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines.
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. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies.