Call for Application: Inter-disciplinary PhD Programme by Research in the Fields of Historical Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences

Background 

With funding from the Gerda Henkel Foundation of Dusseldorf Germany, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University seeks to admit 10 students for the 2025 intake leading to the award of a PhD in the fields of Humanities and Social Sciences of Makerere University. Historical Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences include but are not limited to a cluster of subjects (disciplines) that study human society with a particular sensitivity to the shifting historical contexts over time with various kinds of evidence to support analyses of what informs and shapes the changes and the implications of such changes in human society. Therefore, preference will be accorded to projects that approach the study of the Humanities and Social Sciences in the following fields:

1. The Classics, namely Literature, Philosophy, Epic, and Drama,
2. Prehistory/Early History of Africa,
3. Archaeology,
4. Modern African History,
5. Sociology,
6. Anthropology,
7. Language and Linguistics, 
8. Creative Arts in Africa,
9. Religion in Africa,
10. Political theory,
11. Gender Studies.

General Requirements 
Research experience in the Humanities and Social Sciences at a University or a Research Institute and a strong foundation in writing and research methods is desirable. The applicant should have excellent oral and written communication skills. This is a PhD by research; therefore, applicants should demonstrate capacity for independent work. They should also have excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.  

Eligibility
Eligible candidates should:

• Be Ugandan nationals or nationals of a sub-Saharan African country (attach a biodata page of your passport or National Identity Card to your application).
• Hold Master’s degree in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences discipline from a recognised university related to the candidate’s intended PhD specialisation (for example, if you are applying for a PhD in Sociology, you must have an MA in Sociology).  
• Hold an honours undergraduate degree in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences from a recognised university related to the candidate’s intended PhD specialisation (for example, if you are applying for a PhD in Sociology, one of your subjects at BA should be Sociology).  
• Be fluent or show proof of fluency in English Language. Applicants whose working knowledge in English is limited will be required to undergo intensive language lessons at the College’s Language Centre.
• Provide two reference letters from two academic referees who are familiar with his/her work. Note: the referees named on the application form should be the ones to supply reference letter.
• Confirm that s/he will be available from August 2025 to undertake a three-year full-time study at Makerere University. Upon admission, s/he will be required to show proof of a study leave from their employer.
• Provide the address and contact (email and phone number) of next of kin.
• Be under the age of 40 years (male) or 45 years (female) by 31 August 2025. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Attach copies of their MA and Undergraduate Transcripts and Certificates that are duly certified either by the awarding institution or the respective national accreditation body. 

 

Funding

The programme is fully funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation and is tenable at Makerere University. The scholarship will cover all costs of PhD training listed below. 

1. Tuition. 
2. Stipend. 
3. Medical insurance. 
4. An equipment allowance of USD 800 which be advanced to the fellows to purchase a Laptop computer. 
5. Books. 
6. Travel to take up the fellowship for non-Ugandan fellows.
7. Conference attendance.
8. Fieldwork.

Timeline
Starting with academic year 2024/2025, all Makerere University PhDs are three-year programmes. Consequently, the 2025 cohort will start in August 2025 and their studies will end in August 2028 as shown below. 

1. August 2025 to March 2026: Proposal Development
2. April 2026 to April 2027: Fieldwork
3. May 2027 to August 2028: Dissertation Writing 

Upon admission, the Fellows will receive a detailed almanac that will provide the details of expected study timelines and their respective outputs.

How to apply
Completed application form (saved in word: your surname underscore application e.g., Nyerere Application) with supporting documents (in a single file PDF format) must be submitted by Friday, January 31, 2025, to:

The Principal, 
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Makerere University 
P. O. Box 7062 
Kampala 
Email: graduate.college.chuss@mak.ac.ug, copy graduate.college.chuss@gmail.com 
 

Download the Application form in the downloads below