Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Education Program

The Doctor of Education (DEd) program is designed to provide students with highly advanced knowledge, professional skills, and applied competence in the field of Education, Training, and Development. The program aims to produce graduates who can contribute creatively to educational research and development in society.

Purpose Statement

The primary purpose of the DEd qualification is to attain highly advanced knowledge, professional skills, and applied competence through educational research. Graduates will experience continued personal growth in terms of high-level intellectual development and research capacity, and they will be able to contribute creatively to educational research and development in society.

Qualification Details

• Qualification stream: Curriculum Studies
• Qualification code: 90038 - CUS
• Qualification type: Full Research
• NQF level: 10
• Total credits: 360
• SAQA ID: 5917

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the DEd program, students must have an appropriate Master of Education degree with an average of 60%. In addition to the above requirements, applicants must submit a transcript or academic record, as well as a document describing their intended research. Students will be accepted based on the suitability and viability of the intended research, adequate supervisory capacity and research expertise in the discipline or department, and an approved selection procedure.

Time Limits for the Degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. A student registered for a research doctoral program must complete the study program within six years. A student may apply for an additional year of study, which will only be considered if recommended by the Executive Dean of the College.

Doctoral Degree

A doctoral degree requires students to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels, culminating in the submission, assessment, and acceptance of a thesis. Coursework may be required as preparation or value addition to the research but does not contribute to the credit value of the qualification.

Research Focus Areas

The College of Education has various research focus areas. Students can view a list of departments and research focus areas for the College of Education.

Research Outline

Students are required to submit a detailed research outline for the qualification they apply for. The research outline must include:

• Title
• Summary of topic
• Short literature review
• Expected contribution of the study
• Methodology to be followed
• Availability of the data
• List of references
• Reasons why the student is interested in the topic

The research outline must align with one of the departmental research focus areas and incorporate at least one of Unisa's Catalytic Niche Areas.

Catalytic Niche Areas

Unisa's Catalytic Niche Areas include:

• Marine studies
• Aviation and aeronautical studies
• Automotive
• Energy
• Space study and square kilometer array
• Fourth IR and digitalization
• Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)
• Health studies/medicine
• Feminist, womanist, and bosadi theorizations
• Student support and co-curricular activities

Student Fees and Funding

The application fee for the DEd program is R150.00. The fee information for the 2026 academic year will be available at the time of registration. Students can find information on student funding and bursary opportunities.

Application for Admission

Applications for master's and doctoral qualifications are open until December 19, 2025. Students must apply for a Unisa student number, apply for admission, and upload all supporting documents during the application period.

Registration

Only students whose application for admission was approved and re-registering students will be allowed to register online within the approved registration period for the 2026 academic year.

Curriculum

Registration and curriculum information for the DEd program will be provided upon approval of the application for admission.