Open Distance and E-Learning Masters and Doctoral Degrees in Philosophy

[Scott, Callum]

With more than 150 years’ experience in Comprehensive Open Distance eLearning (CODeL), the University of South Africa offers PhD, MA, Honours, and undergraduate degrees in Philosophy.

Applications for the MA (Philosophy) (by dissertation) and the PhD (by thesis) open on the 2nd September 2025 and close on the 21st November 2025 for the 2026 academic year (which runs from January-December according to the South African academic calendar).

We offer supervision expertise in the areas of research which cover African Philosophy, Intercultural Philosophy, Feminist and associated Philosophies, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Science, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Thomism, Ethics, Political Philosophy, among others. More details on colleagues' areas are available here.

The requirements for entrance into the MA are an Honours degree (or equivalent) with major in Philosophy and for the PhD, a masters degree in Philosophy (or equivalent) with major in Philosophy. Unisa also offers the opportunity for entrance to our programmes through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). More information is available here.

Whilst UNISA study fees are highly competitive, potential for funding support may be available in the form of bursaries (for more information click here) or from our College’s internal development programme (being specifically reserved for South African nationals).

As all our programmes are offered through the CODeL mode, there is no need for physical relocation of successful applicants from their home or even country to successfully complete the desired programme.

For more information on the application process, click here. For details on the MA (Philosophy) programme, click here. And for our PhD (Philosophy), click here.

If you would like further information, please feel free to e-mail our secretary, Ms Petronela Sekhukhune (sek...@unisa.ac.za) or the postgraduate degree coordinator, Prof. Pascah Mungwini (mun...@unisa.ac.za).

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