POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LAND AND AGRARIAN STUDIES  - 1616

The Postgraduate Diploma in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies is a unique programme offered by PLAAS at the University of the Western Cape. It is the only programme in the land and agrarian studies field at a South African university. It offers:
accreditation through the Higher Education Department on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 8;
internationally recognised lecturers with established expertise in poverty, land and agrarian studies;
lecturers include Professors Andries Du Toit and Ben Cousins, together with Associate Professors Ruth Hall, Moenieba Isaacs and Mafaniso Hara;
a solid grasp of key concepts in poverty, land, agrarian reform, ecosystem management and climate change;
critical engagement with land and related policies in Southern Africa and interventions in students’ professional contexts;
two convenient three-week teaching blocks per year; and
a relevant, respected, recognised career-enhancing qualification.

ADMISSION
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, with an average of 60% in the final assessment of the exit-modules in relevant courses such as Sociology, History, Economics, Political Science, Agriculture, Public Administration, Geography and/or Environmental Studies, together with at least three years’ relevant experience in the areas of poverty, land reform and sustainable natural resources management.
For those applicants without a first degree, recognition of prior learning (RPL) procedures will apply to candidates with extensive work experience (at least ten years) in land and agrarian reform, rural development, natural resources management and/or gender issues. Preference will be given to students with good English writing abilities.

SELECTION
As only a limited number of students can be admitted to the programme, applicants will be subject to a selection procedure.
DURATION
The duration is one year

CURRICULUM
LAS711: Structural Poverty and Marginalised Livelihoods in Southern Africa (30 credits)
LAS712: The Political Economy of Land and Agrarian Reform in Southern Africa (30 credits)
LAS13: The Economics and Farming and Food Systems (30 credits)
LAS714: Social and Ecological Dimensions of Ecosystems Management (30 credits)
TOTAL: 120 credits

Click here to visit the PLAAS PG Diploma website for more detailed information

MPHIL IN LAND AND AGRARIAN STUIDES – 1843

The programme is designed to deepen student debate and critical thinking around the fundamental developmental issues of the day, and the most important theories and concepts underpinning them. An important aspect is the teaching of research methodology in preparation for field research. The programme focuses on taking students through the research process to produce a full dissertation on an approved topic. It will benefit aspiring young researchers and working professionals who seek a deeper understanding and engagement with poverty, land and agrarian issues through undertaking an empirical research project.

ADMISSION
For admission to the MPhil Research in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, applicants must have obtained an Honours degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. sociology, history, economics, political science, agriculture, public administration, development studies, geographical and environmental studies). Students must demonstrate a good understanding of their chosen research topic and have research experience in one or more of the following themes – poverty, land and agrarian reform, rural development, and natural resources.

SELECTION
As only a limited number of students can be admitted to the programme, applicants will be subject to a selection procedure.

DURATION
In line with the University rules, the maximum duration period is 3 years.

CURRICULUM
LAS801: Full thesis

Click here to visit the PLAAS website for more detailed information

PhD in LAND AND AGRARIAN STUDIES – 1921

PLAAS offers PhD by full dissertation and PhD by publication.
PhD by Full Dissertation in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies
It offers specialised training in theories, concepts and research methods appropriate to the emerging field of enquiry of poverty, land and agrarian studies. This will contribute to the further development and strengthening of engaged scholarship on issues of great relevance to societies in Africa in particular, experiencing the rapid transformation of their rural economies. Scholarship of this kind has a great deal to contribute to policy making, and many of the doctoral students who are trained will work in applied professions such as development planning. Thus another purpose that the programme will serve is to build capacity for effective societal responses to social change. Students are required to complete a monograph study on an approved topic.
PhD by Publications in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies
This programme offers students an alternative route to gaining a doctorate. It is tailored for students and future academics opportunities to develop a research identity early on in their studies/careers. It contributes to the early dissemination of new knowledge produced and the impact of the research is more immediate. Students complete a thesis by publications. To be eligible for this programme, candidates must meet the general admission requirements as per the University General Calendar Rule A.2.5.; have relevant publication experience; and find a suitable PLAAS supervisor that has published in the relevant field. For those who qualify, please refer to the Guidelines by PhD by Publications.

ADMISSION
For admission to the PhD in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, applicants must have obtained a Masters degree in Social Sciences, Arts, Law, Humanities, Environmental Sciences and Development Studies or any other relevant discipline.  Students should have achieved a minimum average mark of 65% in the relevant Masters degree. Students must demonstrate a good understanding of their chosen research topic and have research experience in one or more of the following themes – poverty, land and agrarian reform, rural development, and natural resources.

SELECTION
As only a limited number of students can be admitted to the programme, applicants will be subject to a selection procedure.

DURATION
In line with the University rules, the maximum duration period is 5 years.

CURRICULUM
LAS901: Full thesis

Click here to visit the PLAAS website for more detailed information