Doctor of Public Administration at University of Fort Hare

Programme overview

A Doctor of Public Administration offers an advanced, scholarly understanding of the principles, theories, and frameworks that underpin the functioning of public organizations and government institutions. This degree equips scholars with a deep knowledge of public policy, governance, administrative processes, and the dynamics of public sector leadership. A PhD in Public Administration fosters critical analysis of issues such as public service ethics, organizational behavior, political economy, and social justice within the public sector.

Faculty: Management and Commerce | Duration: 3 years full-time / 5 years part-time | Study mode: full-time | Location: Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Career pathways

Career opportunities listed on the page include Public Administrator, Professor, Researcher, Policy Analyst, Government Consultant, Public Sector Manager, Public Policy Advisor, City Planner.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

To qualify for admission to a Doctoral qualification, a prospective student must have successfully completed a Master’s degree at the University, or a similar qualification at the appropriate NQF level which, in the opinion of Senate and subject to SAQA evaluation, is regarded as equivalent to or higher than a Master’s degree of the University, or must have passed the examinations on the basis of which he or she will be awarded a Master’s degree by the University or on the basis of which the required status may later be granted; the prospective student must also have submitted his or her Master’s dissertation for examination with the consent of the supervisor and within the deadline stipulated by the University, and these requirements must be read together with the University’s Policy and Rules on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as well as any further programme-specific entry requirements set out in the relevant Faculty Prospectus.

Main intake: first semester starts 2 February 2026; second semester starts 13 July 2026.

Applications for PhD programmes open 1 May 2026 and close 31 March 2027; the application fee is R120.

The application fee of R120 is non-refundable and payable on or before 30 September; late applications for undersubscribed qualifications carry a fee of R300.

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