The Marketing Section in the School of Management Studies offers a PhD (by thesis only) in either Business Science or Commerce.

A doctoral degree is the highest academic qualification offered by the University of Cape Town, and admission to the programme is subject to meeting the following requirements and hold the following degrees:

• Hold a Master of Business Science Degree in Marketing or a related field.
• Master of Commerce obtained from this or any other approved tertiary institution with an average pass mark of 65% (Master's dissertation should be attached).
• Relevant working experience will be an added advantage (current CV should be attached).
• The doctoral degree indicates that the successful student can collect, arrange, and use existing knowledge and contribute to that knowledge.
• 10-page research proposal.
• PhD students must defend the proposed study using a known theoretical explanation in support of the research question.  
• The applicant must demonstrate the necessary competencies in research methodology and practice required to complete an independent study research degree.
• Demonstrate previous research capability by describing research performance and publication—briefly state skills in specialist data analysis. Explain access to large data sets or the ability to prepare datasets from secondary data. Describe expertise in collecting primary data.  Briefly mention expertise and competence in statistical data analysis or specialist qualitative techniques.
• Explain your ability to fund your studies.

Duration for this degree: Typically between 3-4 years.

For more information on the programme, please refer to the Commerce Postgraduate Handbook. 

PhD Candidates Specialising in Consumer Neuroscience Marketing:

The Marketing Section in the School of Management Studies, in collaboration with Groote Schuur Hospital and Neural Sense (a Neuromarketing company), are seeking PhD candidates that are hard-working, innovative and interested in multidisciplinary research. The research study will be conducted using cutting edge consumer neuroscience methods. This will include neurophysiological research using brain monitoring and/or brain imaging technologies such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The study will focus on the brain's reward circuitry in relation to either negative advertising (in public health campaigns) or the effects that various forms of fake media/news or false advertisements may have on consumer decision-making processes. Your supervisory team will include experts in psychological, medical and consumer behaviour research. If you are interested in pursuing this challenging and pioneering field of research, please get in touch with the convenor of the PhD Programme in the Marketing Section, Dr Pragasen Pillay, for further assistance in this matter.