Master of Philosophy in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies
by Coursework and Mini-thesis

Key Information

Through this programme, graduates will demonstrate specialist knowledge and critique of current research or practices in the global agrarian studies field, and advanced scholarship or research in a particular field or practice pertaining to poverty, land and agrarian reform, rural development, or natural resources. The coursework and mini-thesis format benefits students who would like greater control over their time and a more structured approach to study, with taught classes, a world-class curriculum, and a class cohort. Coursework allows for students to study a wider array of topics, rather than working on their research alone, and it can provide a quicker qualification time. This course is perfect for working professionals who seek a structured timetable to earn an MPhil within two years while continuing employment.

Made for Africans by Africans, this programme’s central recruitment strategy will be through PLAAS’s Postgraduate Diploma in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies cohort, creating African scholars with unshakeable foundations in these fields. This strategy will be combined with targeted marketing with our colleagues at African and international universities, the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

University of the Western Cape faculty

Economic and Management Sciences

Programme duration

Two years

Number of graduations

53

Overview

What are the critical new understandings, debates, research, and scholarship on land, agriculture, oceans, water, climate and environment, food, and politics?

  • Master concepts of land, agriculture, climate, energy, and conservation in Africa and other global majority areas as the competition for natural resources escalates in the contemporary world.
  • Get ahead of the curve on how land, water, and rare earth minerals present new opportunities for accumulation of wealth, often in the name of carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and the decoupling of economic growth from resource-intensive industries.
  • Interrogate what old and new pressures rural people anchored in small-scale farming, small-scale fishing and artisanal mining face, and scrutinise agrarian and aquatic reform, poverty and inequality, and rural and urban development from a multi- and interdisciplinary way.
  • Examine and critique discussions on land, poverty, agriculture, food systems, natural resource governance, and climate change issues through political economy and political ecological lenses.
  • Use real-time case study research in these fields to apply discussion points and arguments. Research methodology will be integrated in the research process of independent mini-thesis development – reading, proposal writing, fieldwork, analysis, and write-up.

Entry requirements

Candidates should hold either:

  • a Postgraduate Diploma in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, with an average of at least 65% in the programme; or
  • an honours degree with an average of at least 65% in the final assessment of the exit-modules in Sociology, History, Economics, Political Science, Agriculture, Public Admin, Geography and Environmental Studies.
  • Learners must be able to communicate effectively in English with peers and the wider community, through writing and oral presentations.

Lecturers

Our lectures are delivered by the following academics in the poverty, land, and agrarian sectors. Guest lectures will include renowned scholars from the African continent. All our lecturers are established researchers involved in practice on socially relevant and innovative research.

Teaching and Research

Programme structure (180 credits with no electives)

LAS821

Introduction to Social Theories

(30 Credits)

LAS8222

Land, Agrarian and Aquatic Reform

(20 Credits)

LAS823

Land, Agrarian and Aquatic Reform

(20 Credits)

LAS824

Climate, Environment and Natural Resource Governance 

(20 Credits)

LAS807

Climate, Environment and Natural Resource Governance 

(20 Credits)

Format

Students will understand and apply theoretical arguments to current issues in written assessments, mainly:

  • academic essays on key theoretical debates and apply these to a case study;
  • a policy brief of clear and concise arguments with data and evidence;
  • class debates on journal articles and on current topical issues; and
  • group discussions and oral presentations.

Teaching and learning will be applied through contact time with lecturers; self-learning through extensive reading and conceptualising; writing practices for research, academic essays, opinion articles, policy briefs, and blogs; and oral presentations on topical issues. Film screenings, workshops, and skills development are central to the learning programme. Students will benefit from PLAAS’s international seminars, masterclasses, and research colloquiums.

Assessment

Each module is assessed based on a student’s admission of:

  • A pre-contact assignment on topical issues, cases, and challenges we face will assess students’ current knowledge and competencies
  • Academic essays, policy briefs, calss debates, and a class test.
  • A post-contact assignment

How to apply

Apply via the University of the Western Cape. Please read this application information page before beginning your application.

Application page: https://www.uwc.ac.za/admission-and-financial-aid/apply/postgraduate-applications

  1. Complete the UWC online application
  2. Upload the required supporting documents below.
    • Updated CV
    • Motivation letter
    • Research intention/concept note
    • Certified copies of academic transcripts
    • Certified copy of ID/passport
    • SAQA certificate (for qualifications from outside South Africa)

Tuition fees

R100 000 tuition fees

Applicants may generate online quotations and pro-forma invoices via the University’s website https://quote.uwc.ac.za/default.

Deadline

30 September 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit at their earliest convenience. You will be notified by email whether your application has been successful or not. Information regarding the registration procedures will only be provided to successful candidates.

Start Date

February 2027

Enquiries

Enquires may be directed to Ms Carla Henry, the Postgraduate Programme Administrator.

  • Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)
  • Email: postgraduates@plaas.org.za 
  • Tel: +27 21 959 3727/3733
  • Fax: +27 21 959 3732
  • University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7353, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA