Master's & doctoral degrees

Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences

Qualification stream: Politics
Qualification code: 90034 - PCS
Qualification type: Full Research
NQF level: 10
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 111107
Rules:
The curriculum consists of a thesis that incorporates a research proposal, an oral defence (viva voce) and two manuscripts, based on the candidate's research, submitted for publication to a recognised accredited journal. Proof of the submission of the manuscripts is a compulsory condition for the degree to be conferred.


Who can register?

  • Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must please check their myLife e-mails for confirmation. New Unisa students will receive confirmation via the e-mail address they provided at the time of application.
  • Re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period for 2025.
  • Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period or check whether the qualification for which you intend to apply is on the list of qualifications that you can apply for until the end of June 2025.


When can I register?

Registration opens Registration opens Registration closes Final date for payment
Master's & doctoral qualifications 8 January 2025 31 March 2025 31 March 2025

MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications 
* All GSBL students with a 7-series student number should contact the Graduate School of Business Leadership for assistance with re-registration: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl

 8 January 2025 21 February 2025 21 February 2025

Click here for the master's & doctoral qualifications: exceptions.  


Time limits for this degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.

  • 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.

Both you and your supervisor are responsible to ensure that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:

  1. Marine studies      
  2. Aviation and aeronautical studies      
  3. Automotive      
  4. Energy      
  5. Space study and square kilometre array      
  6. Fourth IR and digitalisation      
  7. Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)      
  8. Health studies/medicine      
  9. Feminist, womanist and bosadi theorisations      
  10. Student support and co-curricular activities      

If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies. 


PhD by Publication 

From 2024, a student may elect to complete their doctoral degree by publication. A PhD by Publication refers to a doctoral degree that comprises several peer-reviewed publications written as an introduction, discussion and conclusion that has been put together as separate chapters, contributing to a unified research theme within a specific field. Each academic college has their own criteria for considering such as request. A student must from the onset, and at the point of initial registration as a doctoral candidate, discuss this option with their supervisor. Click here for more information about the PhD by Publication. 


Curriculum

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Fifth level. Compulsory
TFPSC01 - Thesis: Political Science