Program Overview

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Master's and Doctoral Degrees

The University of South Africa (Unisa) offers a range of master's and doctoral degrees across various colleges, including Accounting Sciences, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Human Sciences, Law, Science, Engineering and Technology, and the College of Graduate Studies.

Qualifications

Unisa provides a list of all qualifications available for master's and doctoral studies. Students can find their qualification of interest and access detailed information about the program.

Registration

To register for a master's or doctoral degree, applicants must first receive confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must check their myLife emails for confirmation, while new Unisa students will receive confirmation via the email address they provided during the application process.

Registration Period

The registration period for master's and doctoral qualifications opens on January 7, 2026, and closes on March 31, 2026. The final date for payment is also March 31, 2026.

Time Limits for Degrees

All master's and doctoral qualifications have defined time limits:

• Coursework master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
• Research master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
• Doctoral degree: A maximum of six years with an option to apply for one additional year.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

Unisa has identified 10 Catalytic Niche Areas to be operationalized within the colleges:

• 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

Students interested in any of these areas should discuss incorporating one or more CNAs into their studies with their supervisor.

PhD by Publication

A doctoral student may elect to complete their doctoral degree by publication. This involves several peer-reviewed publications written as an introduction, discussion, and conclusion that contribute to a unified research theme within a specific field. Each academic college has its own criteria for considering such a request, which must be discussed with the supervisor at the point of initial registration as a doctoral candidate.

Curriculum

The curriculum for master's and doctoral degrees varies by qualification. Students can access detailed information about the modules and prerequisites for their specific program.

Doctor of Philosophy in Arts

The Doctor of Philosophy in Arts is a full research qualification with the following details:

• Qualification code: 90020
• Qualification type: Full Research
• NQF level: 10
• Total credits: 360

Rules

The curriculum consists of a thesis that incorporates a research proposal, an oral defense (viva voce), and two manuscripts based on the candidate's research, submitted for publication to a recognized accredited journal. Proof of the submission of the manuscripts is a compulsory condition for the degree to be conferred.

Purpose Statement

The primary purpose of the qualification is to facilitate D Phil 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.

Who Can Register

Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period for 2026. Should a student wish to start a new qualification, they must apply for admission during the next application period and check whether the qualification is on the list of available programs.

When Can I Register

Registration opens on January 7, 2026, for master's and doctoral qualifications, with different closing dates for different qualifications. The final date for payment is also the closing date for registration.