Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education is a highly advanced degree that focuses on educational research and development. The primary purpose of this qualification is to equip graduates with highly advanced knowledge, professional skills, and applied competence in the field of Education, Training, and Development.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education is threefold:

• To provide graduates with highly advanced knowledge, professional skills, and applied competence in the field of Education, Training, and Development.
• To contribute to the development of a strong advanced scholarship and leadership base for the educational sector in society.
• To empower educationists to play constructive and reconstructive developmental roles as high-level thinkers and leaders in the field of Education, Training, and Development.

Qualification Details

• Qualification stream: Adult Education
• Qualification code: 90019 - ADE
• Qualification type: Full Research
• NQF level: 10
• Total credits: 360
• SAQA ID: 96477

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• An appropriate Master of Education Degree with an average of 60%.
• 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 this Degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. A student registered for a research doctoral programme must complete the study programme within six years. A student may apply for one 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 should 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 you are 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 kilometre array
• Fourth IR and digitalisation
• Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)
• Health studies/medicine
• Feminist, womanist and bosadi theorisations
• Student support and co-curricular activities

Student Fees and Funding

• Application fee: R150.00
• Student fees: Available on the Unisa website
• Funding opportunities: Available on the Unisa website

Application for Admission

Applications for master's and doctoral qualifications are open until 19 December 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 is available on the Unisa website.