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Deaf studies

The PhD in Deaf studies is a maximum 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time degree.

Overview

Deaf Studies is an emerging interdisciplinary field that intersects education, linguistics, disability studies, and human rights. Pursuing a PhD in this area at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ positions you within one of the continent's leading centres for Deaf Studies research, at a moment when South Africa's formal recognition of South African Sign Language is creating new questions and opportunities for scholarly investigation that can shape national policy and practice.

This programme is offered in January, April and July.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this programme may pursue roles such as:

  • Leading Deaf Education researcher
  • University academic specialising in Deaf Studies
  • Policy advisor for Deaf communities
  • International Deaf Education consultant

Curriculum

This a Full thesis only (no coursework) programme specialising in Deaf Studies with the following specifications:

  • Thesis codes: SPED9001A / SPED9002A
  • Research conducted under a Senate-appointed supervisor
  • Ethics clearance required

Entry Requirements

You must be meeting one of the following requirements to register for this programme:

  • MEd from Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½
  • OR BEd Hons (distinction) by special permission
  • OR BEd + BA Hons (both with distinction)
  • OR BEd Hons + Master’s (Arts/Commerce/Science)
  • OR Master’s degree (any faculty) + 4 years relevant education experience

A supervisor from the Faculty of Humanities must be identified and approached prior to application (PG Guide p67).

Additional entry requirements may apply.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ applications process. Refer to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ postgraduate online application guide for detailed guidelines. 
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the .
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

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 Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ 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.  The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.