Yearbooks

Programme: PhD (Public Policy)

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Code Faculty Department
07267114 Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Department: School of Public Management and Administration
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 360 NQF level:  10

Programme information

All postgraduate programmes are not offered every year. Please consult the relevant faculty concerning the presentation of this programme.
(See General Regulations G.42 to G.54).

Admission requirements

  • An accredited master’s degree in Public Administration or a related discipline from an accredited tertiary educational institution.
  • A minimum of 65 % for the master’s dissertation which must have been externally examined.
  •  All applicants are subject to a selection process by a departmental panel of academic experts (the Postgraduate Committee of the SPMA) in accordance with departmental prerequisites.
  • The Postgraduate Committee of the SMPA may set additional admission requirements in accordance with the area of specialisation of the candidate.
  • A preliminary research proposal on a topic selected in consultation with the assigned study leader will be submitted to the Post Graduate Committee of the SPMA.
  • The decision of the Postgraduate Committee of the SPMA is final.

Additional Requirements:

Candidates will only be considered for admission to the PhD (Public Policy) if the Postgraduate Committee of the School of Public Management and Administration is convinced that the applicant has the necessary expertise to complete the required seminar in the field of Public Administration successfully and has gained sufficient research knowledge on the master’s level to conduct research for and complete a doctoral thesis. The Dean has the right of authorisation regarding matters not provided for in the General Regulations or the Faculty regulations.

Due to capacity constraints, there is not an intake of new students every year and if offered, only limited numbers can be accommodated. It remains the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the degree they wish to apply for, will indeed be offered.

Additional requirements

Candidates will only be considered for admission to the PhD (Public Policy) if the Postgraduate Committee of the School of Public Management and Administration is convinced that the applicant has the necessary expertise to complete the required seminar in the field of Public Administration successfully and has gained sufficient research knowledge on the master’s level to conduct research for and complete a doctoral thesis. The Dean has the right of authorisation regarding matters not provided for in the General Academic Regulations or the Faculty regulations.

Other programme-specific information

PBP 995 Thesis Public Policy in accordance with the General Academic Regulations of the University of Pretoria applying at the time of registration.

Research information

Refer to General Academic Regulations G50 and G54.

Proof of submission of an article to an accredited journal on the thesis topic is required as part of the graduating process (General Academic Regulations G50 and G51.

A thesis is submitted to the Head: Student Administration, before the closing date for the various graduation ceremonies as announced annually.

General information

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

Minimum credits: 360

Due to capacity constraints, there is not an intake of new students every year and if offered, only limited numbers can be accommodated. It remains the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the degree they wish to apply for, will indeed be offered.

Core modules

Minimum credits: 360

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The philosophy of science; Scientific thinking and research action. Science and theory; Academic writing; research structure/theses; sources and referencing. Critical theories and analyzing the body of knowledge for each theory. Advanced qualitative research methods; Advanced quantitative research methods; Proposal design and defence.

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Regulations and rules
The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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