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Programme: PhD Agricultural Economics

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Code Faculty Department
02261030 Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Department: Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 360 NQF level:  10

Programme information

This programme consists of a thesis and an oral examination.
All students need to follow a preparatory programme for the thesis which is not part of the degree programme. This preparatory programme should at least cover the following modules or their equivalents:

  • Any two modules in economic or applied economic theory (eg Microeconomics or Macroeconomics)
  • One module in quantitative methods (Econometrics, Applied econometrics, Quantitative methods, or Partial equilibrium modelling)
  • One module in the field of specialisation (institutional economics, science and technology policy, food policy, etc)

If these modules or their equivalents have been completed sucessfully and a PhD proposal has been presented succesfully to and approved by the Department’s postgraduate committee, the student may proceed to the research phase and the thesis. Students can be exempted from this preparatory programme if equivalent modules are completed at other universities and students could provide evidence that these prerequisites have been met.
For students with an MInstAgrar or similar qualification, additional modules might be recommended in order to ensure that the candidates’ quantitative abilities are at the same level as someone entering the programme with an MScAgric.

Duration of studies
The doctorate is conferred on a student only if one of the following periods has expired:

  1. At least four years after complying with all the requirements for a three-year bachelor’s degree.
  2. At least three years after complying with all the requirements for a four-year bachelor’s degree.
  3. At least two years after complying with all the requirements for a bachelor’s degree of five years or more.
  4. At least two years after complying with all the requirements for a master’s degree.
  5. With the exception of a shorter period that may be approved by the Dean, at least 12 months since registration for the doctorate at this University has expired.

The relevant head of department may set specific residential requirements for students who are required to live on campus.

Renewal of registration
Subject to other faculty regulations, a student for a doctorate must complete his or her studies within three years after first registering for the degree. Under special circumstances, the Dean, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department or the Postgraduate Committee, may give approval for a limited fixed extension of this period.

Curriculum
The curriculum for the PhD degree consists of the following:

  1. Theoretical knowledge of the major subject/s and such additional modules as may be prescribed.
  2. A thesis.

General
Candidates are required to familiarise themselves with the General Regulations regarding the maximum duration of study and the requirements to submit an article/s for publication.

Admission requirements

1.    MScAgric degree or relevant master’s degree
2.    At least 65% for the research component at master’s level
3.    A CV with contactable references may be required
4.    A copy of final masters dissertation may be required
5.    An admission interview may be required

Examinations and pass requirements

  1. Consult the General Regulations that apply to the calculation of marks.
  2. In order to obtain the PhD degree the candidate must:
  • pass the examinations and the prescribed modules, as determined in the study programme;
  • pass the thesis; and
  • pass the final examination on the thesis and general subject knowledge.

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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