Program Overview

Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in Social Studies

The Makerere Institute of Social Research launched its Interdisciplinary PhD in Social Studies in January, 2012. The five-year programme entails two years of coursework and three years of dissertation research and writing. Four broad themes define the programme’s intellectual focus: Political Studies, Political Economy, Historical Studies, and Cultural Studies. Students specialize in one field, but take classes across all four. This allows students to be grounded theoretically, while also giving them a broad foundation in historically informed debates in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, there is a set of core courses, with a focus on theory and historiography, required of all students. The courses are taught by MISR faculty, faculty from other Makerere departments, and by preeminent visiting scholars through the MISR Global Scholars Programme.

Admission Criteria

The MISR Interdisciplinary PhD programme is open to applicants who have earned a B.A. Upper Second or equivalent (students with lower than a B.A. Upper Second must demonstrate evidence of subsequent achievement such as publications or a postgraduate degree). Students who have a Masters or PhD are welcome to apply; however, all students must complete the entire programme, including the two years of coursework, regardless of prior academic qualifications.

Fees

The fee structure is as follows:

  • Ugandans/East Africans: 4 million Uganda Shillings per semester. East Africa includes: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar.
  • Students from outside East Africa: US$4,000 per semester.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Every applicant who is admitted will automatically be considered for financial aid.

How to Apply

The application form can be downloaded below under downloads. Hard copies of the application form are also available from the office of the Director.  Complete instructions for interested applicants can be found in the application form.

Application Deadline 

Applications open.

For more information about the MISR PhD programme, or about MISR, please contact the Director of MISR at director.misr@mak.ac.ug or visit the MISR website at: http://www.misr.mak.ac.ug.