Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences

The primary purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences is to facilitate graduates in using their highly specialized 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 to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened. A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with intellectual leaders.

Qualification Details

• Qualification stream: African Politics
• Qualification code: 90034 - APL
• Qualification type: Full Research
• NQF level: 10
• Total credits: 360

Admission Requirements

An appropriate master's degree is required. In addition to this requirement, applicants must submit a transcript or an academic record, as well as a document describing their intended research. All students with foreign qualifications, including those with qualifications from African countries, must have their qualifications evaluated at SAQA. 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 which is in line with Unisa's policies on equality and diversity in the discipline or department.

Time Limits for This Degree

A student registered for a research doctoral programme must complete the study programme within six years. A student may apply to the Registrar for one additional year of study, which will only be considered if it is recommended by the Executive Dean of the College in which the student is registered.

Doctoral Degree Overview

A doctoral degree requires undertaking 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. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that students will be required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline or field. This work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.

Research Focus Areas

Research focus areas for the College of Human Sciences are available, and students are required to submit a detailed research outline for the qualification they apply for. The research outline must include a title, summary of the topic, short literature review, expected contribution of the study, methodology to be followed, availability of the data, list of references, and reasons why the student is interested in the topic. The research outline must align with one of the departmental research focus areas and should 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 Your Studies

An online application fee of R150.00 is required. The application fee is non-refundable even if the student decides not to study through Unisa or does not qualify for admission to Unisa. Student fees for the 2026 academic year will be available at the time of registration. Students registering for qualifications through the Graduate School of Business Leadership should visit the SBL website for fee information, as the SBL uses a different fee structure.

Application for a Student Number and Admission

Applications for master's and doctoral qualifications are open until 19 December 2025 (some exceptions apply). Students must apply for a Unisa student number (if applicable), apply for admission, and upload all supporting documents during the application period. If a student already has a Unisa student number, they can proceed to apply for admission and upload all supporting documents.

Registration

Only students whose application for admission was approved and re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) will be allowed to register online within the approved registration period for the 2026 academic year. Coursework master's degree students must await the official approval of their research proposal module before attempting to re-register for the next academic year. Students with outstanding fees or a Library block on their accounts will not be able to register online until these issues have been resolved.

Curriculum

Registration and curriculum information are available, but specific details about the curriculum for the Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences are not provided in the given context.