PhD (Education) Research at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The programme is actively focused on research and its outcome is a research report in the form of a thesis. The thesis is based on original research conducted by the student on a topic related to cutting-edge issues in education and must make an original and significant contribution to the education body of knowledge. The thesis must demonstrate competence in preparing a research proposal, conducting a literature review, applying appropriate research methodologies, interpreting and analysing data, developing and formulating arguments, critically reflecting on research methodologies as well as theories relevant to the particular field of study, proposing significant recommendations based on the research and communicating research results in a scholarly form.

Faculty: Education | 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.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Educator (Foundation Phase), Educator (Intermediate Phase), Educator (Secondary Phase), Teacher.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Unless Senate decides otherwise, candidates shall be admitted to the qualification for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Education) only if they have: the degree Master of Education or an appropriate Master’s degree. Admission will be based on a Departmental selection process.

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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