Programme: PhD

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Code Faculty Department
09261605 Faculty of Education Department: Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 360 NQF level:  10

Programme information

Students can choose one of the following focus areas:

  • Early Childhood Education (09261601)
  • Humanities Education (09261602)
  • Life Sciences Education (09261604)
  • Mathematics Education (09261605)
  • Physical Sciences Education (09261606)
  • Technology Education (09261607)

Admission requirements

  1. Relevant MEd (or equivalent) degree
  2. A weighted average of at least 60% for the research component of the relevant master’s degree

Research information

Students for the PhD degree must:

  • submit a research proposal during the first year of registration and defend it successfully before a panel of examiners appointed by the Dean, in collaboration with the relevant head of department, supervisor and research coordinator, before they can start with the research;
  • apply for ethical clearance to the relevant head of department and Ethics Committee and only commence with field work once the application for ethical clearance has been approved by the Ethics Committee;
  • annually present a progress report on the research to the supervisor. Continued reregistration depends on satisfactory progress annually;
  • attend all research capacity building sessions on quantitative and qualitative research at doctoral level;
  • submit a thesis for examination on a topic approved by the Dean on the recommendation of the relevant head of department and successfully defend her/his thesis at an oral examination;
  • submit proof of submission of an article issued by an accredited journal. The draft proof as well as the proof of submission must be submitted to Student Administration before 15 February for the Autumn graduation ceremonies and before 15 July for the Spring graduation ceremonies. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in the degree being awarded during a subsequent series of graduation ceremonies;
  • in addition to the abovementioned copies, each successful student must submit a bound paper copy as well as two electronic copies of the approved thesis to the Head: Student Administration in the format specified by the faculty and in accordance with the minimum standards set by the Department of Library Services (specifications are available at: http://upetd.up.ac.za/authors/publish/standards.htm#specs?, before 15 February for the Autumn graduation ceremonies and before 15 July for the Spring graduation ceremonies. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in the degree being awarded during a subsequent series of graduation ceremonies.

Guidelines for the format, submission and defending of the research proposal will be communicated by the relevant head of department .

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.


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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