Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at University of South Africa

Programme overview

The primary purpose of the qualification is to facilitate D Phil graduates in using their highly specialised knowledge, specific skills and applied competencies in the development of the specific discipline for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society. A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with specialists in the discipline in order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened. (NQF level 10, 360 credits, qualification code 90178.)

Duration: Maximum time to complete: six years (time limit stated for this degree type) | Study mode: distance | Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A master's degree in Development Studies or a development-related field with an average of 60% or more. Applicants with a coursework/structured master's degree should have completed a research component of at least 60 credits out of the total 180 credits for admission to the doctoral degree, failing which applicants may submit evidence of publication in peer reviewed journals or conference proceedings. Proof of the credits of the research component must be submitted with the application. All students with foreign qualifications, including those with qualifications from African countries, must have their qualifications evaluated at SAQA. (www.saqa.org.za) In addition to the above requirements, applicants must submit a transcript or an academic record, as well as a document describing their intended research. Students will be accepted on the following criteria: Suitability and viability of the intended research; adequate supervisory capacity and research expertise in the discipline or department. There is an approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa's policies on equality and diversity in the discipline or department. Applicants who would like to apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) must be at least 40 years old; and have at least ten years' relevant work, and research experience in the study field in which they would like to apply for admission to a qualification. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl

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.

Offers are made for a specific registration period, for example semester 1; applicants must register for the semester for which they were granted admission or re-apply in the next application period.

Applications for master's and doctoral qualifications are open from 1 September to 20 November 2026; selection degrees and some other qualifications have different application periods.

The non-refundable online application fee is R160. International applicants with foreign qualifications may apply without a SAQA evaluation certificate but must submit it by 15 December 2027 if accepted for 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission

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