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Part 1: MSc by Research in Sustainable African Futures

The first component of this innovative collaborative postgraduate Programme of studies, consists of an MSc by Research (MScR) in Sustainable African Futures delivered online and administered by the University of Edinburgh. 

This degree is designed to build the capacity of and prepare Fellows looking to undertake doctoral-level research with an interest in sustainability in Africa. The MSc Programme will provide the necessary skills to undertake advanced research through a structured programme of research training. Fellows will have the opportunity to undertake additional specialist research training (through courses and sustainability schools) alongside an independent research project.

 

Programme Structure

The MScR in Sustainable African Futures is a twelve-month fulltime online programme  (September 2023-August 2024) and Fellows are expected to complete the programme in that time.  To support Fellows to get through the programme in time, Fellows will have access to the full range of support offered to all postgraduate research Fellows in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh, as well as additional support through the WESAF Programme team.

The MScR includes three compulsory courses that cover core research training skills around Data Collection and Research Design and a compulsory course to introduce Fellows to the complex realities of sustainable development in African contexts with the course “Dynamics of African Development” (see table 1).

An integral part of the degree is a dissertation, an extended research project of 18,000 words that will allow Fellows to explore and develop research ideas that can act as a launch pad into doctoral work – through, for example, an extended research proposal, a systematic or scoping review or an exploratory, pilot research study engaging with sustainability in Africa. The programme approaches sustainability in very broad terms and so welcomes Fellows interested in developing innovative, cutting-edge, multi, inter and transdisciplinary research projects. The programme also offers the opportunity to develop Fellows’ own interests through workshops, short courses and seminars offered online by the University of Edinburgh (non-credited courses).

Fellows in this programme will also take part in two compulsory sustainability schools that will be held in person at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

The MScR programme can only be undertaken on a full-time basis and will run between September 2023 and end in August 2024.

September, 2023 In-person sustainability school at Wits University (5 days) Pre-orientation to the Postgraduate Programme
September - December 2023

Teaching term 1
  • Dynamics of African Development (core course)
  • Data Collection (core course)

January – March 2024

 Teaching term 2 
  • Research Design (core course)
  • two online micro-methods courses – no credit

April - May 2024

In person sustainability school at Wits (10 days)

Sustainable African Futures (theory and practice)

April – August  2024

Teaching term 3

Dissertation design & writing under an academic supervisor from UoE

Table 1. MScR Programme in Sustainable African Futures

Funding

The WESAF Doctoral Programme is developed in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

For more information on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, visit: https://mastercardfdn.org/our-strategy/young-africa-works/

Costs covered during the 12 months of the MSc by Research Programme are:

  • MSc by Research fees
  • Participation in two sustainability schools (in person) in Johannesburg. Covered costs include visa applications for South Africa entry, vaccinations as necessary, accommodation and subsistence while in Johannesburg, return flights and internal travel.
  • Laptops and connectivity where appropriate
  • Reading material will be accessible through the University of Edinburgh online library and other resources will be made available by course lecturers (no cost will be attached to courses or dissertation).
Exit points

Fellows completing the three core courses and the dissertation will exit with a MSc Research in Sustainable African Futures. Masters by Research are ideal entry points for applicants interested in pursuing a doctoral programme or to enhance and progress a professional career, especially if the research is an integral part of one’s daily work. The MSc by Research will be conferred by the University of Edinburgh at graduations in November/December 2024 virtually or in-person in Edinburgh. The grant will not cover travel to graduate in person at University of Edinburgh.

Transition between part 1 and part 2 of the Doctoral Training Programme

Fellows who will successfully complete the MSc by Research programme will be invited to apply to the PhD programme in Sustainable African Futures that will start in January 2024.  Thirty candidates will be awarded scholarships for this PhD programme on a competitive basis. Applicants will be supported by the designated programme team at Wits University throughout the application process. Applications will open in September 2024 and close in October 2024. Successful candidates will be enrolled in the PhD programme in January 2025.

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