Colleges and Universities Offering Ph.D in Law in South Africa

PhD in Law is a rigorous and research-intensive program designed to cultivate expertise and advanced knowledge in various legal domains. This program offers students an opportunity to engage in critical analysis, scholarly research and contribute to legal scholarship. Learners will specialize in a specific area of law and work closely with experienced faculty members to develop their research skills, critical thinking abilities and legal expertise.

Upon completion, Ph.D graduates in Law from South Africa can pursue diverse and rewarding career opportunities such as:

1. Legal academia and teaching
2. Legal research and policy analysis
3. Consulting for law firms or corporations
4. Government and legislative positions
5. International law organizations
6. Non-profit and advocacy organizations
7. Legal publishing and journalism
8. Judicial and legal administrative careers
9. Legal counseling and advocacy roles
10. Expert witness or legal consultant.

Institutions Offering Ph.D in Law

•  University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg  
  Entry Requirements:
  A master’s degree or an equivalent qualification from Wits University or another university.
  Your application should include a CV, an academic record (transcript) and a short proposal, also known as an expression of interest. The short proposal is a document of 7 – 10 pages that outlines the applicant’s proposed research and the research questions to be investigated. It should include a provisional title as well as a provisional bibliography.
  
  Applications are considered on the basis of candidates’ academic record, the strength of their expression of interest and the availability of an appropriate supervisor in the School.
  
  Prospective research students are therefore further encouraged to approach potential supervisors in advance of their application, i.e. to find a member of staff in the School of Law who is willing in principle to supervise their proposed research. Profiles of our staff and their research and/or supervision interests, as well as their contact details are available on the School of Law website. You can also access a list of staff research and supervision areas.
  
  If you do find a willing potential supervisor, indicate this on your expression of interest. You may however proceed with your application even if you do not find a potential supervisor beforehand. In that case, the Postgraduate Studies Committee will endeavor to allocate a supervisor to you in the event that your application is successful.
  
  
  Duration: 2 - 4 years
  
  Study mode: Full-time; Part-time
•  University of Pretoria, Pretoria  
  Admission Requirements:
  Relevant master’s degree or relevant degree from a foreign university that allows entrance to a doctoral degree (SAQA level 9)
  At least 65% for the research component at master’s level or below 65% for the research component at master’s level:
  relevant work experience
  other academic qualifications and
  the merit of the research topic
  An admissions examination may be required
  A portfolio consisting of:
  copy of the preceding master’s research component
  recent research-based essays or assignments
  a letter of motivation
  
  Duration of study:
  2 years, full-time.
•  University of Fort Hare, Alice  
  

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