Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology in Theology and Religious Studies is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 2 YEARS.

Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology offered by Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Theology

Duration of Programme

• You must be enrolled for the PhD programme for at least two years before you can report for the final examination; and
• A supervisor may, after consultation with the environment concerned, require a minimum period of six months' residence for PhD students from outside Southern Africa.

Programme Description

• As candidate for the PhD degree you must submit, for Senate's approval, a dissertation which:
  • deals with a subject in your main field of study;
  • may only be submitted two years after the MTh degree has been obtained; or
  • after you have achieved a level of competence in the specific field of study in some other way that Senate considers to be adequate for the purpose.
• After registration for the PhD, you will receive a policy document from the relevant discipline group containing clear guidelines on the responsibilities of candidates and their supervisors, regular discussions, progress reports, examination procedures, assessment criteria for dissertations and other regulations of the discipline group.
• You must deliver a report on your research at least once during a postgraduate seminar.
• Discipline groups report annually to the Faculty on the progress of doctoral candidates.

Assessment and ExaminationCompletion and submission of your Dissertation

• When you present yourself for examination, you must:
  • hand in an electronic pdf version and at least four printed copies of the dissertation at the administrative officer of the disciplinary group concerned, either before 1 September (for the December graduation ceremony) or before 1 December (for the March graduation ceremony); or
  • hand in at least 11 printed copies of the dissertation at the administrative officer of the disciplinary group concerned, either before 1 September (for the December graduation ceremony) or before 1 December (for the March graduation ceremony).
• You do a final oral examination that deals with the dissertation. The examination is set by the Faculty Board, and the supervisor, the internal examiner and, if practically possible, the external examiners must be present.
• Where applicable and feasible, and taking into account the requirements set by the University, you are encouraged, before reporting for the examination, to submit a manuscript or manuscripts on the results of your research for publication in recognised academic journals.