AERC/Wits PhD Programme in Economics for African Students 2022

Launched in 2002, the Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP) in Economics’ primary aim is to strengthen teaching and research capacity in sub-Saharan African countries, to increase the pool of potential researchers and policy analysts, and to gradually build-up and retain African scholars in Africa, leading to an increase in capacity across the continent. CPP aims to increase output of professionals conversant with – and specialists in – African issues, leading to the possible emergence of various theories and African solutions to these problems. CPP integrates theory, tools and African applications into academic teaching, ensuring that theory is firmly grounded on the empirical side.

• Table of Content
• About African Economic Research Consortium (AERC)
• PhD Programme in Economics
• Aim and Benefits of PhD Programme in Economics
• Requirements for PhD Programme in Economics Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About African Economic Research Consortium (AERC)

The launch of AERC goes back to the late 1980s, when a small group of Africanists and African scholars began to recognize the disconnect between economic policy making and economic research in sub-Saharan Africa. Available research results, applied to other economies, did not always seem appropriate to the African context. And where such results were available, they were too often not put to use. Their concern swelled into a full-fledged idea; they had a discussion about a vehicle for pooling their expertise and applying it to the development of economic policy capacity in sub-Saharan Afric... continue reading

PhD Programme in Economics

Aim and Benefits of PhD Programme in Economics

The program is Fully funded

Requirements for PhD Programme in Economics Qualification

To qualify, candidates must:

• Have applied and been admitted to any one of the listed CPP degree-awarding universities;
• Have attained at Bachelor’s Degree level at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent in Economics or related field from an accredited university;
• Have a Masters Degree (with coursework and thesis component) in Economics, Agricultural Economics or related fields from a recognized University. The coursework should have covered microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods;
• Female and applicants from post-conflict and fragile states are encouraged to apply.
• Possession of at least 1 relevant publication in a refereed journal will be an added advantage.
• Evidence of engagement in economic management, research and/or training in the public sector will be an added advantage.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Doctorate: 

• A masters degree in Economics or an equivalent qualification from Wits University or another university. 

Please download the application form from https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/choosedownloads and send it together with the required documents and supporting documents to Ms. Kamo Nhlapo on: [email protected]. Please note that for this particular programme only (the AERC PhD programme) you do not have to upload your documents onto the Wits online application system. You must send the required documents to Ms. Kamo Nhlapo. Please send any queries to her.

The following supporting documents should be emailed to Ms Kamo Nhlapo – [email protected] 

1. Copies of your degree certificates
2.  Copies of ALL academic transcripts
3. SAQA evaluation (This is an evaluation carried out by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) on all International qualifications – application details available at www.saqa.org.za ). If you don’t have SAQA now, please ensure you start the application process immediately.
4. Proof of English proficiency (if qualification completed at an Institution where the medium of instruction was not English)
5. Curriculum Vitae
6. Letter of motivation
7. A brief (5-10 page) proposal outlining your research interest

For more details, visit Wits website.