Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Admission Requirements

• Persons are eligible to be admitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy if they have:
1. a master’s degree from a Senate-recognised university, or
2. a bachelor’s degree with first class honours from a Senate-recognised university, or
3. been granted approval to transfer from a USP master’s degree programme in which they have completed at least one year’s work on a thesis capable of being raised to PhD level.

Programme Requirements

1. The Doctor of Philosophy consists of a thesis, not exceeding 100,000 words, presenting a substantial and original contribution to knowledge
2. The minimum duration is three years' full-time or four years' part-time study
3. The maximum duration is five years' full-time or seven years' part-time study.
4. Senate or its delegate may approve a student’s application to transfer their registration to a PhD degree after a minimum period of one year’s work on the Master’s thesis has submitted documents indicating:
• how the original Master’s thesis proposal would be ungraded to PhD level;
• the work completed to date for the Master’s thesis; and
• how the work done would support proposed transfer