North West University
Doctor of Philosophy in Law and Development
The Doctor of Philosophy in Law and Development in Law and Legal Studies is offered by North West University.
Program Length: 4 YEARS.
Doctor of Philosophy in Law and Development offered by the North West University at the Faculty of Law
The minimum duration of the PhD in Law and Development is three years and the maximum duration is four years. Extension of time may be granted by the Director: Postgraduate Programmes and the Faculty Board (through the Research Unit and Postgraduate Programmes Committee) on good reasons shown.
Admission requirements for the qualification
a) To gain admission to the PhD in Law and Development, a student must have obtained an LLM degree or a Master’s degree with field of specialisation in either Anthropology, Commerce, Social Sciences or Development Studies from this University or from another South African University or must have the status of such Master’s degree granted on request by the Senate. The Director: Postgraduate Programmes may also insist that the student submit adequate proof of his/her research capabilities before permission to register is granted.
b) Applicants must have achieved a minimum average of 65% for the LLM degree (or relevant Master’s degree with field of specialisation in either Anthropology, Commerce, Social Sciences or Development Studies from this University or from another South African University or must have the status of such Master’s degree granted on request by the Senate) as well as for the dissertation (research report) to be admitted to the PhD in Law and Development programme. The Director: Postgraduate Programmes may on good grounds shown relax this requirement.
c) The applicant who has completed an LLM research report, has to submit a four (4) page research proposal on their proposed PhD research topic with their application in order for the Faculty to determine if the topic is research worthy, if sufficient expertise is available to provide guidance and to appoint a promoter.
d) Where an applicant has not completed an LLM research report, the applicant must, to the satisfaction of the Director: Postgraduate Programmes, provide evidence of acceptable research skills (including but not limited to - a draft (10 page) research proposal clearly identifying the research question and problem to be researched; a comprehensive research assignment completed as part of any LLM module; or other published research).
e) An evaluation certificate as issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) must be submitted if a previous qualification was obtained in a foreign country. If necessary, a student must deliver proof of proficiency in English (e.g. through TOEFL a computer-based test).
f) Admission to the PhD programme is subject to the applicant's academic record, language and writing skills, proven expertise in a particular field, the proposed topic of the research, the capacity of the Faculty towards postgraduate studies, the number of applications received and other relevant factors. The Director: Postgraduate Programmes has a discretion on the basis of amongst others the above factors to approve, reject, postpone, set further conditions for admission, or limit the number of applicants admitted to postgraduate studies
Qualification outcomes
On completion of this doctorate the student should be able to
a) demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in a specific field of Law and Development and the ability to apply the knowledge by conceptualising a research initiative to create new knowledge;
b) submit proof of thorough proficiency in the appropriate research skills by formulating a relevant and viable research topic, motivating it on the basis of a clear problem statement, developing points of departure, suppositions and hypotheses, setting a framework for the solution of the complex problem and by designing a feasible research programme;
c) display a coherent and critical understanding of the methodology applicable to the field of Law and Development so as to rigorously critique and evaluate current research in this field, participate in scholarly debates and research relating to theory and practice and formulate independent points of view;
d) use advanced information-retrieval and processing skills to identify, critically analyse and synthesise information relevant to issues in the area of specialisation, debating solutions from theoretical and research perspectives published in current literature;
e) use empirical research techniques, including quantitative and/or qualitative research methods, as well as fieldwork skills in Law and Development to investigate a research problem;
f) identify, critically evaluate, address and manage emerging ethical issues and normative behaviour to advance the process of ethical decision-making as relevant in research practice and to the area of Law and Development;
g) demonstrate an ability to produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards, is considered to be original or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the field or practice of Law and Development;
h) disseminate, present and defend research findings or strategic and policy initiatives to specialist and non-specialist audiences according to acceptable academic and professional or occupational discourse; and
i) operate independently and take full responsibility for own work, and where appropriate to lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the final product of the research.
