Programme:
PhD (Transport Economics)

The Transport Economics Research Group offer a PhD by dissertation only. PhD dissertations can be monographs or a series of scientific articles (the so-called PhD by publication/articles). Prospective students should consult the EMS faculty calendar (see the faculty website) and the brochure of the department https://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/economy/business-management

Criteria for registering for a PhD at the Transport Economics Research Group:

• A full-thesis master’s degree in Transport Economics (or any of its sub-domains) awarded by a reputable university;
• Suitable academic qualifications in your area of specialisation (e.g. Economics or Business Economics, Engineering, Planning, Geography or Public Policy), and
• A viable topic for a dissertation.

PhD applications are considered at any time of the year.

Two options are available to apply for admission to one of the faculty’s doctoral programmes:

1. Option 1: Applications can be submitted on the SUNstudent application portal to be formally considered for admission to a doctoral programme - https://student.sun.ac.za/. Once a profile has been created on SUNstudent, log in and follow the prompts to apply to the relevant PhD programme. The following documents are compulsory submissions as part of the application:
   • Comprehensive CV.
   • Evidence of written academic work.
   • Letter of motivation.
   • Preliminary Research proposal (Please consult the research themes below before writing your concept note. Once you have selected a research theme, please consult the guidelines to the basic layout of a research concept note.)
   • Summary of master’s research.
   • Certified copies of academic certificates.
   • Certified copies of academic transcripts.
   
   

   Please note that candidates that have applied formally on SUNstudent can also apply for institutional or statutory funding to qualifying options listed on the SU Postgraduate Office’s website.

2. Option 2: Candidates can apply for a full-time doctoral scholarship from the Graduate School of Economic and Management (GEM). Successful GEM applicants are automatically granted provisional admission to the relevant PhD programme and an application on SUNstudent is therefore not required to be considered for one of the GEM scholarships. However, please note that only 2-3 of these awards are made per year.

The subject group will primarily consider PhD applications in the following broad areas of study in the field of Transport Economics:

• Transport Economics
• Urban Economics
• Regional and Spatial Economics
• Maritime Economics
• Rail Economics
• Road Economics

Transport Economics makes use of multiple supervisors and prefers the option to involve our international partners in research and supervision.

Students wishing to explore adjacent fields of study or do a multi-disciplinary study need to consult with the chair of the department.​