| Qualification code: | 90193 |
| NQF level: | 10 |
| Total credits: | 360 |
| SAQA ID: | 124591 |
Purpose statement:
The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and International Affairs represents the highest qualification offered by the institution. In responding to the dynamic and complex nature of South Africa, the African continent and the international environment, the degree promotes innovative perspectives that conceptualise new research initiatives and new knowledge or practice befitting our interwoven national, continental, and international realities.
The purpose of this qualification is to produce doctoral graduates with the ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in an area of study or practice. This would require a candidate to undertake research at the most advanced academic level, culminating in the submission, assessment, and acceptance of a thesis. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that a learner is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and application and to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of Public Policy and International Affairs. In this regard, coursework principally in research methodology will be required as preparation or value addition to the research, but does not contribute to the credit value of the qualification.
An appropriate Masters with an average qualification mark of at least 60%. Students with a Masters degree at NQF level 9 from cognate disciplines may also be recognised as meeting the minimum entry requirements for admission into this qualification provided that they have obtained an average qualification mark of at least 60%.
Applicants who would like to apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) without an appropriate master's degree should submit a portfolio of evidence of relevant work and research experience in the study field in which they would like to apply for admission to the qualification. The portfolio of evidence will be assessed according to the specific outcomes and assessment criteria of the Master of Arts in Public Policy in International Affairs.