PhD in

Futures Studies

KEEP DISCOVERING YOUR POWER

TO AFFECT THE FUTURE

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PhD in Futures Studies www.usb.ac.za/phdfutures

“Become a specialist in the field of Futures Studies

by acquiring in-depth knowledge through doctoral research”

Prof André Roux, Head: Futures Studies Programmes

The PhD in Futures Studies is aimed at

professional futurists, decision makers and

strategic planners who would like to

become experts in their field.

Work in senior positions

Create intellectual capital

Duration: 2 years plus

Do supervised research at PhD level

Become an expert in your field of study

A unique PhD for Africa

04Message from the Director of USB

12Prepare your concept note

10Join a globally linked research community

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How to apply

Research workshops as preparation for your PhD

06Message from the Programme Head

13The actual research process and its deliverables

11Overview of the PhD in Futures Studies

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Dates

Services and facilities

10Discover the expert in you through in-depth research

14 Before you apply

11Admission requirements

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18

Fees

Contact us

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Thank you for your interest in the University of Stellenbosch Business School. You have come to the right place to discover and develop your leadership potential.

We are one of the few Triple Crown Business Schools in the world. These are schools with the three major international accreditations, namely AACSB (from the USA-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), EQUIS (from the Brussels-based European Foundation for Management Development) and AMBA (from the UK-based Association of MBAs). In addition, our executive education programmes, delivered via our private partner, USB-ED, is ranked among the Top 100 in the world by Financial Times.

You therefore know in advance that the standard of our academic programmes, infrastructure and learner support is benchmarked against the best. We would also like you to know the following about USB:

• We are deeply committed to Africa. At the same time, we educate you to function in a global business world.

• We will lead you to study the latest theories in a particular field while also providing you with opportunities for practical application in your business.

• We will walk the road to sharpen your critical thinking abilities while also igniting your passion for better business skills.

• We will widen your strategic vision while also equipping you with operational skills in fields like responsible leadership, finance and marketing.

• We will carefully select you to enter into one of our programmes, and then engage with you to leave us as a changed person.

USB is a values-driven school. We embed our values – like integrity, inclusivity, excellence and innovation – in everything we do.

We are part of Stellenbosch University – the top research university in Africa – and steer our research agenda to inform business and the content of our curricula. Via our Small Business Academy we create value for budding entrepreneurs to improve their businesses and create jobs in their communities.

Ultimately, USB aims to bring hope to Africa and to the world. Join us in turning this dream into a reality.

Prof Piet Naudé USB Director

Message from the Director of USB

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“From a business school perspective, social development

in South Africa happens through empowering students

to understand their role as responsible leaders when they go back into society.”

Prof Piet Naudé

USB Director

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Are you as a strategic planner concerned about the long-term future? Would you like to possess the tools and understanding to make better, more informed and sensible decisions about the future, and embrace that to make decisions about the future operations of your organisation? Are you particularly concerned about making Africa a better place and are you planning for changes in Africa? USB’s cluster of postgraduate programmes in Futures Studies – a postgraduate diploma, MPhil and PhD – has been designed to assist you in achieving these goals.

There are not many programmes in Futures Studies on a postgraduate level in the world. In fact, USB’s programmes are the only ones presented in Africa. These programmes will equip you with a toolkit of concepts and techniques that can be used to both measure and create a desired future.

The PhD in Futures Studies will serve you well if you are looking to become a specialist in your field through doctoral research. As this is the only PhD degree of its kind in Africa, you will be able to conduct meaningful research with a unique African perspective, supported by a diverse research community.

Prof André RouxHead: Futures Studies Programmes

Message from the Programme Head

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“The PhD in Futures Studies will serve you well

if you are looking to become a specialist

in your field .”

Prof André RouxHead: Futures Studies Programmes

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Discover USB’s advantages for you

African contextualisation of business knowledge

USB has become known for its African-focused expertise in areas such as sustainable development, futures research, development finance, ethics and corporate governance, responsible leadership development, management coaching and emerging-country economics.

Connections with the business sector

USB’s close cooperation with industry ensures an academic offering aligned with the needs of the world of work. Areas of alliance and collaboration include representation by the local and international business community on the USB Advisory Board. Partnerships between USB and industry include societal initiatives such as the USB Small Business Academy and the Consulting Club.

Collaborative learning

Our students come from different industry backgrounds, cultures and geographies. This diversity enables them to learn from one another and to work with different perspectives. Our alumni regularly cite collaborative learning as one of the highlights of their learning journey.

Social impact

USB’s ultimate purpose is to develop responsible leaders who will be stewards of society. For USB, social impact means the societal orientation and impact of our curricula and research, our involvement in social dialogue and public policy making, the social impact of our engagement with stakeholders, our collaboration with partner schools and organisations, and our sustainability and responsibility practices. For USB’s students, this translates into engaged learning.

International stature and global perspective

USB is part of the 100-year-old Stellenbosch University, an international institution of distinction and the top research university in Africa. USB has partnerships with some 80 business schools representing all the continents and has a presence in various parts of the African continent. Joint research, faculty members serving on international boards, international memberships, jointly presented conferences and the exchange of faculty members and students contribute to USB’s global perspective of business knowledge.

Strong focus on responsible leadership development

USB’s mission is to develop responsible leaders through well-grounded business education and research. Responsible leadership development is ingrained into USB’s programmes – in particular the MBA.

Research and the sharing of business knowledge

USB creates business knowledge through its research centres, academic conferences, research fellowships, the research undertaken by its faculty members and students, and its partnerships with the business industry and other academic institutions. The school shares its research on various platforms, including its journals, website, conferences and speaker events.

Study at a school with 3 international accreditations

USB was the first school from an African university to receive all three international accreditations: AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. The school is also well ranked in South Africa (No1 in PMR.africa, 2017) and in Africa (Eduniversal’s Top 3 in Africa, 2017).

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The University of Stellenbosch Business School’s internationally acknowledged PhD in Futures Studies enables you to become an expert in your field of specialisation. It focuses on developing applicable expertise through in-depth research.

The PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) implies that the holder is in command of his or her field of study. In terms of the South African Higher Qualification Framework, the purpose and characteristics of a doctoral degree are as follows:

“A doctoral degree requires a candidate to undertake research at the most advanced academic level, culminating in the production, defence and acceptance of a thesis. … The defining characteristic of this qualification is that the candidate is required to demonstrate high‐level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a discipline publication. The degree may be earned through pure discipline‐based research, multidisciplinary research or applied research. … A graduate should be able to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialization concerned.”

As a PhD student at USB you will be expected to pursue supervised research, culminating in a doctoral dissertation which constitutes the examinable product for which the PhD degree is eventually awarded. This dissertation must:

• Represent an original and significant contribution to the enrichment and advancement of knowledge in the chosen area

• Demonstrate originality of thought, a theoretical underpinning, relevance to the discipline and rigour in execution

• Create intellectual capital, which is the cornerstone of the knowledge society of the 21st century.

International accreditation USB’s PhD is internationally accredited by EQUIS of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).

Membership of two PhD research organisationsUSB is a member of both EDAMBA and the GRLI’s Global Doctoral Alliance.

USB’s PhD was the first PhD outside Europe audited and approved by the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA), based on the quality of this degree at USB. Our membership of EDAMBA demonstrates our commitment to improve the quality of doctoral education.

EDAMBA promotes integration with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which facilitates the recognition of periods of study at other EDAMBA member universities to enhance the quality and mobility of PhD students.

As students from an EDAMBA member institution, USB’s doctoral students benefit in the following ways:

• Eligibility for grants, awards and opportunities

• Attendance of the annual EDAMBA Research Summer Academy

• Participation in the Doctoral Thesis Competition. Winning entries are published in the EDAMBA Journal.

Discover the expert in you through in-depth research

Join a globally linked research community

USB is also a member of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative’s Global Doctoral Alliance. The GRLI’s GDA and its member schools are committed to the societal dimension of business, making it ideal for high-potential candidates seeking balance between their commitment to the societal dimension of business and their aspiration to a successful career in academia, government or industry. Member institutions are committed to sharing expertise and knowledge in the form of social networking and knowledge sharing.

Overview of the PhD in Futures StudiesUSB’s internationally accredited PhD in Futures Studies builds on the school’s MPhil in Futures Studies and forms part of its Futures Studies cluster of programmes. It allows students to become specialists in this field by acquiring in-depth knowledge through doctoral research. This is the only PhD degree of its kind in Africa.

The degree is awarded solely on the successful completion of a research-based dissertation. This dissertation must contribute to and enrich the academic knowledge and understanding of theory and professional practice. The minimum period of registration for the PhD is two years.

Admission requirementsThe two main academic requirements for admission to the PhD in Futures Studies degree are:• The MPhil in Futures Studies or a relevant master’s degree which included a substantial component

related to futures studies. A major part of the master’s degree (weight within degree) must consist of a written thesis, for which a grade of at least 65% should be obtained.

• A minimum period of registration (residency) of two years.

Staying in touchThe candidate will be expected to be present at USB for certain events. It is therefore advisable to reside within accessible distance of the USB.

Requirements for ongoing registration The minimum period of registration for the PhD is two years. However, we anticipate a registration period of between two and four years. Each successive registration requires evidence of sufficient progress toward completion. In particular, the following are required:

• Supervisor(s): Students are expected to meet regularly with their appointed research supervisor(s) in person or virtually at the discretion of the supervisor(s). Regular exchange of written material is expected to accompany these meetings.

• Progress reports: Students must submit a progress report at least twice a year attesting to satisfactory progress toward completion of the dissertation.

• PhD colloquia: The student must present his/her work in person at a PhD colloquium at least twice every year. The student will field questions from the faculty and students attending the colloquia.

Recommended PhD candidates at USB are strongly encouraged to:

• Publish articles from their PhD work in peer-reviewed journals as well as in other media

• Present work based on their PhD at appropriate academic conferences.

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Prepare your concept note

Write a concept note in scientific language on your intended research (see template below). The concept note forms a key part of your application pack, which must be submitted electronically.

The concept note serves to demonstrate whether you have a mature approach to high-level research.

The concept note will assist USB to evaluate at an early stage whether the topic is viable and whether we can provide appropriate supervision and resources. It will also help USB to determine whether you have thought through your interest in and commitment to the programme, and whether you are suitable for admission to the USB PhD programme.

The world count of the concept note is approximately 4 000 words, excluding the reference list. This is the concept note template you need to use:

Title Title of your proposed research

Introduction Give a brief introduction to your intended research.

Literature review Analyse at least six academic journal articles relevant to topic, looking in which ways they support or contest one another, and relating it back to your study.

Theoretical/Conceptual framework What framework(s) will you be using in your study?

Problem statement and research question(s) What is the phenomenon that more should be known about and is worthy of research? What is your research question(s)?

Method Describe how you intend collecting your data, and motivate why this data will be sufficient to answer your research question.

Contribution Describe why your study is important and who will benefit from it, in terms of theory and practice.

Key terms What are the key terms in your study?

Works cited Formatted in APA style

Relevant readings Include a list of readings relevant to your topic that you intend using in your study, formatted in APA style.

Next, submit a comprehensive research proposal

Once your concept note has been approved, you need to prepare and submit a comprehensive research proposal. Your provisional promoter will guide you in the preparation of your proposal, which must be presented to the Admissions Panel, which usually happens about a year after your provisional acceptance. This presentation constitutes an interview to convince the panel that the candidate will be an asset to the Research Programme.

Your comprehensive research proposal will serve as your road map for the completion of your PhD degree. You will be formally registered for your PhD once your comprehensive research proposal has been accepted.

The actual research process and its deliverables

What PhD registrants must demonstrate

• Expertise, knowledge and reflection of theories and methods at the forefront of a field or discipline

• The ability to apply theories (methods), acquire new knowledge and generate new insights to confront practical and theoretical problems with the aim of proposing well-founded solutions with relevance for the broader society in an ethical manner

• The ability to communicate their work to an audience of researchers

• The ability to take part as a researcher in the international research community (by meeting international standards)

Deliverables for all registrants

• Two annual presentation at a Doctoral Colloquium

• Two progress reports per year

• Final dissertation, which can be a compilation of academic research articles.

Approving your dissertation

Your final dissertation will be evaluated by three examiners. This will be followed by a public oral defence of the dissertation – the viva voce – before your dissertation is finally approved.

Receiving your PhD

Upon completion of the PhD, the registrant will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management and Administration by Stellenbosch University.

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Before you applyNote the following before you start the application process• Only online applications are accepted.

• You will be able to complete the form in steps without losing information.

• The online application form consists of various sections. In order to process to the next section, all the information in the current section must be completed and accepted by the information management system.

• The application process is the same for South African and international students.

• International qualifications require a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate to evaluate your degree according to South African standards. Please contact SAQA at saqainfo@saqa.org.za in this regard.

• It is best to use Google Chrome as web browser when completing your application.

Prepare your curriculum vitae (CV)

The information provided in your CV will be treated as confidential. Your CV must contain:

• Details of your studies to date

• Particulars of previous research experience, including any published articles and papers presented at conferences

• An overview of your activities after the completion of your master’s degree

• Two references who can be contacted to comment on your abilities and who can support your motivation for wanting to commence with PhD research.

How to applyThe application processGo to www.usb.ac.za/phdfutures and complete the online PhD in Business Management and Administration application form by completing each of the following sections:

Section 1: Personal information

Section 2: Address details

Section 3: Work and studies

Section 4: Documentation

Upload the following supporting documentation:

• Certified copy of ID or passport

• Certified copies of academic records/transcripts

• Certified copies of degree certificates

• Curriculum vitae (CV)

• List of publications

• Concept note

• Proof of payment of the application fee.

Section 5: Payment of application fee

Application fee: Bank: Standard Bank; Type of account: cheque account; Account name: US Business School; Account number: 073003069; Branch name: Stellenbosch; Branch code: 050610; Beneficiary name: Stellenbosch University; SWIFT code: SBZAZAJJ. Proof of payment of your application fee should be e-mailed to the cashier at payments@usb.ac.za.

Section 6: Status

What happens next?

Your application can only be assessed by the selection panel if it is accompanied by your completed online application form, all the supporting documents and proof of your application fee payment. . The outcome of the selection process will be made known within 30 days or as soon as possible thereafter.

DatesDeadline for all candidates: 31 March and 30 September each year. The Doctoral Research Committee considers PhD applications in April and October each year.

Fees

The programme fees for 2020 are published on USB’s website once this information becomes available. See www.usb.ac.za for details.

Important• South African students can pay the full programme fees upon registration or they can pay 75% of the

annual fees by the end of May and the balance of 25% by the end of September.

• The fees for second and subsequent years of enrolment will be adjusted to make provision for annual price increases.

• Deposit: All students pay a deposit on acceptance of admission. Foreign students must pay a deposit of 50% of the annual programme fees on acceptance to the programme and the balance prior to, or upon registration. The deposit is deducted from the programme fee. The deposit payable is non-refundable.

• Application fee: The application fee must accompany the application. The application fee is not refundable.

• Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and costs.

• USB reserves the right to change the fees at any time.

Research workshops as preparation for your PhDUSB-ED: Doctoral Research Training Programme• Once a year, USB Executive Development Ltd (USB-ED) offers the 5-day Doctoral Research Training

Programme (DRTP) for students to prepare themselves to write a PhD Proposal. The DRTP is applicable to PhD students in any field of study and from any university or business school.

Stellenbosch University: African Doctoral Academy• The African Doctoral Academy (ADA) serves to coordinate and strengthen excellence in doctoral

education at Stellenbosch University (SU) and across the African continent. The ADA’s bi-annual, two-week long Doctoral Schools take place every year in Summer (January) and Winter (June-July), and aim to offer high-impact research and methodology training, as well as options in academic preparedness and career development. The Schools are open to doctoral candidates, their supervisors and researchers in general.

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Stellenbosch University: Library• Various books are also available to assist those preparing for doctoral study and for proposal writing in

particular. Stellenbosch University provides library access for provisional PhD students to assist them in their development of their initial proposal.

Other guidelines and resources• These include Stellenbosch University’s Policies and Rules, and the Faculty of Economic and

Management Sciences’ PhD Guidelines.

Services and facilitiesUSB’s PhD students enjoy access to the business school’s services and facilities. These include:

• Online and physical access to Stellenbosch University’s library services • USB’s library (USBL) and the services of our on-campus librarians • USB’s online learning platform where news and information regarding our PhD is distributed.

In the realm of professional futurists there are so few that turn their skills into a successful commercial business. I really want to promote the discipline of Futures Studies as a consultant and show the power of designing preferable futures, how it works, and what the results are.

The field of Futures Studies is still new and that is why there are so many opportunities to make a valuable contribution. Also, there is no other university in Africa where you can do your PhD in this field. For now, I am going to test my thinking in the field and once I have fused my thoughts into something that I think can make a contribution, then a PhD will be my next step.

... once I have fused my thoughts into something

that I think can make a contribution, then a PhD

will be my next step.

Jonathan CherryPGDip and MPhil in

Futures Studies alumnus

PhD – the next step to make a contribution

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Alumnus

The Institute for Futures Research (IFR) Through research and praxes we strive to help conquer challenges and harness opportunities in order to create a desired future. In this regard, we equip and assist individuals and organisations with the tools of good judgement, decision-making and strategic foresight. Visit www.ifr.sun.ac.za for more detailed information about the futures thinking research, facilitation and information services we offer.

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PhD in Futures Studies +27 (0)21 918 4246 | future@usb.ac.za

PhD Admissions Office: Telephone: +27 (0)21 918 4114

Academic aspects of USB’s doctoral programme: Head of Futures Studies – Prof André Roux E‐mail: Andre.Roux@usb.ac.za

Contact us

Start today

University of Stellenbosch Business School

+27 (0)21 918 4246 | usbcom@usb.ac.za | Carl Cronjé Drive, Bellville 7530, Cape Town, South Africa

www.usb.ac.za/PHD-in-Futures-Studiesfuture@usb.ac.za