Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science with Ageing and Development Course Requirements at NWU
North-West University · Faculty of Humanities
The Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science with Ageing and Development is a doctoral Degree offered by NWU for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking Minimum 2 years full-time / 3 years part-time; maximum 4 years full-time / 5 years part-time to complete. This page covers the minimum admission requirements you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Minimum Admission Requirements to study Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science with Ageing and Development at NWU
- A Master's degree related to social/human development or management across individual, familial, societal or policy contexts at 65% (60-64% considered via supplementary short courses where capacity allows)
- international applicants require a SAQA evaluation
- competitive selection including a research proposal, interviews and a research-methodology short course
About this course
This Vanderbijlpark thesis-only doctorate trains candidates to research ageing and its developmental impacts on individuals, families and society from a social-sciences perspective within the African context. It builds mastery of the multidisciplinary field of Gerontology and the research leadership needed to inform policy and practice. Admission includes compulsory orientation and interdisciplinary research workshops.
Course intelligence for Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science with Ageing and Development
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science with Ageing and Development doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS funding is generally limited to a student’s first undergraduate qualification, so a Doctoral Degree like this one doesn’t usually qualify. Postgraduate funding more often comes through NRF bursaries, university-specific scholarships, or an employer.
Admission chances
NWU’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with NWU and NSFAS.
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- Applications for 2027 studies
- Open: 1 June 2026
Closing date still to be announced by NWU.
View all Courses at NWU
- Duration
- Minimum 2 years full-time / 3 years part-time; maximum 4 years full-time / 5 years part-time
- NQF Level
- 10
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Source: North-West University 2026 Postgraduate Yearbook - Faculty of Humanities, last verified 2026-08-28. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with North-West University before applying.