LLD and PhD in Multilevel Government and Local Government
Doctoral studies have been completed on local government/devolution/federalism in South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya and Zimbabwe. Please note that there are LLD/PhD positions available for the 2027 academic year on the following topics:
Topic 1: Local government reforms in South Africa
Topic 2: The supervision of local government in selected African countries.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- an LLM degree, or Masters degree in political science, economics, public administration or other related social sciences;
- proven ability to undertake advanced research; and
- relevant experience, where applicable.
How to apply
Complete this form to submit your application.
Applications must include a current CV, a motivation letter (also addressing your choice for, and interpretation of one of the topics), certified copies of academic records (degree and transcript), and a writing sample, which may include a published article, a research paper or a thesis.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS for ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAMME: 30 September 2026. This deadline applies only for students who do NOT want to apply for an NRF PhD bursary.
Bursaries
PLEASE NOTE: THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION FOR PHD NRF BURSARIES THROUGH THE SARChI CHAIR IS: 21 JUNE 2026.
How to apply for bursaries
The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a few PhD bursaries through the South African Research Chair in Multilevel Government in the 2027 academic year.
The NRF minimum academic requirement for postgraduate funding is 65% for the previous degree. Successful applicants will be funded either at Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS). The FCS funding will be awarded to South African citizens and Permanent Residents only, who are either financially needy (i.e., those whose combined household family income is less than or equal to R350 000 per annum), living with a disability or exceptional academic achievers. However, the PCS funding will be awarded to 5% of international students including South African citizens and Permanent Residents who could not be funded under FCS but meet other minimum requirements for the NRF scholarship funding criteria.
An application for a bursary must also be accompanied by an application for admission to the programme, as explained above.
Bursaries are available only for full-time students. To be nominated for a PhD bursary, an applicant must have an excellent academic record as well as proven research ability. Nominated students will be advised by the Dullah Omar Institute soonest to apply for an NRF bursary online: Deadline 03 July 2026.