Applications for 2025 are now open

According to the National Qualifications Framework, the Doctorate Degree (General) provides training for an academic career and requires a candidate to undertake research that culminates in a thesis. Furthermore, the research that is produced should be of a publishable standard, thereby demonstrating an original contribution to the body of knowledge. This implies that there is no assessed coursework component, although coursework may be included to facilitate the completion of the degree.

 In keeping with its essence, the Business School offers a PhD programme that seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge related to “Leadership for Sustainability”. Topics currently being focused upon include:

• Leadership identity and development
• Integrated thinking and responsible strategic decision-making
• Employability
• Entrepreneurship aligned with SDG for societal benefits
• The entrepreneurial ecosystem players [universities, innovation hubs, incubators, and accelerators].
• Data science and decision-making for business and society (socio-economic and sustainability)
• Capabilities and impact pathways of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies (especially Artificial Intelligence) in operations.
• Operations management and optimisation [business analysis, complex problem-solving, and continuous improvement]

At Rhodes Business School, we do not have a DBA programme.

The PhD programme 

Duration: A full-time PhD candidate is registered academically for two years at minimum and a part-time candidate for at least three years. Usually, the degree takes longer than this minimum period to complete and more realistically, requires registration for five years to complete. The degree consists of 360 credits or 3,600 notional hours. This amounts to spending an average of almost 15 hours a week for 50 weeks of the year over a five-year period.

Online PhD seminars: The PhD candidate is required to demonstrate an ability to conduct independent research of a publishable standard.  This can prove to be a tough and lonely journey.  Consequently, the Business school requires candidates to attend regular online PhD seminars, as a means of offering support and building a network with other PhD candidates. In these seminars, PhD candidates also receive guidance on their research progress.  There is time allocated for lectures on research. Candidates are also expected to make presentations related to their own research progress.

Publishing:  An effective way to embark upon the PhD journey is to publish intermittently, before handing the thesis in for examination.  This provides smaller milestones along the way and allows the candidate to receive peer feedback, which assists in appraising the potential contribution of the PhD topic. The Business School, therefore, encourages the practice of co-authoring conference and/or journal publications with their supervisor.  This collaborative experience is invaluable in exposing applicants to the rigours of academic research, provides some insight into the demands of the PhD, and allows the applicant and supervisor to work together.

Last Modified: Mon, 06 May 2024 09:43:59 SAST