Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

Candidates must submit a doctoral thesis which complies with the requirements set for doctor’s degrees, based on the candidates’ research publications and/or completed building designs, which shows that they are authorities in their field.

Faculty: Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology | Duration: 2 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The published curriculum is an NQF Level 10 qualification of 360 credits.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Candidates shall be admitted to the study for the degree of Doctor of Architecture (Research) if they hold the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional), Master of Architecture, or equivalent.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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