The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Development Studies seeks to provide highest level scholarship to individuals involved in different aspects of activities that promote the advancement/betterment of society (in Ghana and elsewhere). It is also geared towards the greater fulfilment of the well-being of individuals, groups and societies at large.
Teachers/lecturers, researchers, development workers, NGO leaders, health and political leaders are some of the persons this course seeks to target. The PhD programme is also directed at middle and upper level policy makers and development practitioners as well as university graduates with an excellent academic record.
Every year, seven candidates are admitted to the programme after a competitive screening process. Self-funding students can also join the programme, if qualified.
The programme starts with a course work focusing on development theories, research methodologies and provides training in managerial and professional skills. After the course work, there are opportunities for students to visit up to three months of summer school in Germany. In the second year, students will be required to undergo industrial attachment up to a maximum of twelve months. The remaining years will be devoted to the thesis and seminar/conference presentations.
Admission into PhD Development Studies is extended to applicants with a relevant Masters’ (MA/MSc/MPhil) degree as well as a good first degree (at least Second Class Lower Division) in the Social Sciences/Humanities from University of Ghana or any recognized/accredited University. Interviews will be conducted to arrive at the final selection. Limited Scholarships from DAAD are available to young and dynamic graduates with a First degree (at least Second Class Upper Division or better) and a relevant Masters’ Degree (MA/MSc/MPhil) awarded within the last 6 years whose academic and scholastic records show a potential for successful completion of doctoral degree Programme.
Kindly follow the link below to access more details on the University of Ghana online application form for completion and submission:
https://sgs.ug.edu.gh/news/graduate-admissions-2024-2025-academic-year-general-entry-requirements-all-programmes
Teaching Modules
The course contains five (5) modules that focus on:
- economic and social change theories
- governance and institutions
- natural resource use and management
- qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis
- professional skills
Teaching is carried out by a large number of lecturers from ISSER, other departments of the University of Ghana and ZEF. Co-teaching by lecturers from the University of Ghana and ZEF is encouraged and provides an interdisciplinary perspective for students as well as mutual capacity building for lecturers.
Students of the programme are mainly supervised by Professors/Senior Research Fellows at ISSER. Other Professors/Senior Research Fellows of the University and ZEF are occasionally called in to assist when necessary.
Limited Scholarships (2 In-Country and 6 In-Region) from DAAD are available to young and dynamic graduates who have successfully completed a two-year University master's degree (MA/MSc/MPhil) with above-average results (at least Second-Class Upper Division or better) and awarded within the last 6 years. Their academic and scholastic records should show a potential for successful completion of the doctoral degree Programme.
The deadline for submission of on-line applications is Friday, June 28, 2024.
For additional information, please contact:
The School Administrator
School of Graduate Studies
University of Ghana, Legon.
E-mail: sgs@ug.edu.gh
Tel. Number: 0303966098, 0545462159, and 0570231039
OR
The Graduate Programmes Office
ISSER
University of Ghana, Legon.
Tel. Number: 0577699900
E-mail: isser-graduate@ug.edu.gh
Website address: www.isser.ug.edu.gh