Yearbooks

Programme: PhD Companion Animal Clinical Studies

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
08261007 Faculty of Veterinary Science
Credits Duration
Duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 360

Programme information

This programme is offered by the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies.

The PhD degree is conferred by virtue of the successful completion of a thesis and an oral defence. Consult the General Regulations.

The research topic will be determined in consultation with the head of department, following which the research projects will be approved in terms of Faculty guidelines and the General Regulations. Each candidate must satisfy the head of department that he or she is working at an institution with the necessary facilities, to enable him or her to complete the work required for the degree satisfactorily.

Admission requirements

Subject to the stipulations of the applicable General Regulations, a candidate must hold an applicable master’s degree to qualify for admission to study for the PhD degree.

A candidate with an MTech degree who has obtained at least 60% for the MTech dissertation may be considered for admission if approved by Senate. Since the PhD is clearly more demanding of a wider (philosophical) scientific background, the selection of candidates for the PhD degree must be stringent, and could include outside evaluation of the dissertation work by nominees selected by the head of department and approved by the Faculty Postgraduate Committee, evidence of peer-reviewed publication, appropriate work-related experience (i.e. in a research environment) and, where necessary, formal coursework to address shortcomings in the academic background.

Additional requirements

A candidate with an MTech degree who has obtained at least 60% for the MTech dissertation may be considered for admission if approved by Senate. Since the PhD is clearly more demanding of a wider (philosophical) scientific background, the selection of candidates for the PhD degree must be stringent, and could include outside evaluation of the dissertation work by nominees selected by the head of department and approved by the Faculty Postgraduate Committee, evidence of peer-reviewed publication, appropriate work-related experience (i.e. in a research environment) and, where necessary, formal coursework to address shortcomings in the academic background.

It remains the prerogative of the head of department to require an admissions test prior to registration for the degree study, in addition to the regulatory requirements. A pass in a proficiency test in English (TOEFL) at an acceptable level may also be required, especially in the case of international candidates.

Research information

Before or on submission of the final copy of the thesis, a student must submit proof of acceptance of an article for publication issued by an accredited journal, to the Head: Student Administration. (UP Gen Regulation 51) The accepted article should be based on the research that the student has conducted for the thesis and should have been approved by the supervisor concerned. The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that the article has been taken through all the processes of revision and resubmission, as may be necessary. In exceptional cases the Dean may allow a student to graduate subject to UP Regulations. 

Also consult the General Regulations with regard to the submission and technical editing of the thesis.


The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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