Do PhD students have to take courses?

Yes. Our PhD programme is a combined coursework and thesis programme. To this end, and should your application be successful, you will be required to complete 2 compulsory courses - Researching the Anthropocene (RtA) and Earth, Ecology and Humanity which will run in the first and second semester. You are also required to complete two electives, which can be chosen from a range of courses (subject to HoD approval and that the credit requirements are met) available at UCT. Taking these courses assists our students in developing innovative and robust research proposals.

Note, the core courses and most of the electives are offered only in-person. You will therefore be required to be in Cape Town to complete these courses. This does enable you to fulfill the requirement that PhD candidates should "attend at the University for a period or periods totaling at least one year". 

The coursework requirement does add to the cost of doing the programme with us. You can get a sense of the fees from this handbook.

What are the fees for an EHS programme?

University fees are set on an annual basis. There are standard fees for the courses as well as international student fees. Full information is contained on the UCT website and in the fees handbook.

If you require a provisional quotation for fees, please request one via this form or by emailing the Fees Office via fnd-feeenq@uct.ac.za.  

Are there scholarships, studentships or other funding possibilities available?

We currently do not have any available funding to support prospective students. You are, therefore, encouraged to look for funding if you have not secured any yet. A good starting point is this noticeboard that lists available opportunities within the broader UCT community.

Is there a specific date on which I can start my PhD studies?

We encourage students to begin their PhDs in February of each year so that they can complete the Researching the Anthropocene course in the first semester. This course is central to the proposal development process, which must be completed within the first six months of registration. 

I am an international student, how do I get a visa to study at EHS?

We encourage applicants from across the globe, however we are unable to assist directly with visa applications. Please contact the the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) for assistance on applying for study visa's, securing accommodation, funding, and other international student matters.  

How long does a PhD take?

UCT requires that a PhD candidate be registered for a minimum of two years before the PhD thesis can be submitted for examination. The maximum registration period is 5 years. 

Can the MPhil programme be competed on a part-time basis?

Yes. The MPhil can be completed on a part-time basis. This means that students will compete the two core courses and their proposal in the first year and the two electives and the dissertation in the second year. 

Do I need a supervisor before I apply? 

No, you do not need to have a confirmed supervisor for you PhD or MPhil before you apply. However, it is is the responsibility of the student to find a supervisor within the first six months of registration. The supervisor(s) may be from the EHS team, steering committee, or another department on campus (with permission from the academic director).

Where do I send my application?

EHS does not handle applications for MPhil and PhD programs directly. You must submit your application and supporting documents through the UCT Online Applications portal