Key information
- Duration: Full-time — 24 months
- Start dates & application deadlines: Starting February 2027. Apply anytime. Students can apply to the PhDs throughout the year.
Overview
In the case of South Africa and Africa generally these national aims include “upliftment”, “reconstruction”, “reconciliation”, “redevelopment”, or other similar terms. It is also a case of coping with being a modern nation in a globalised economy while repairing the damage of the past.
Features
- Our doctoral programme at University of Cape Town attempts to marry excellence in research with the needs of Africa by promoting in-depth investigation of Information Systems topics to the benefit of the continent and the IS discipline.
Programme Structure
Curriculum:
- The course explores different philosophical and methodological approaches to Information Systems research with a view to helping students become aware of the options they face in engaging in their selected areas of research, and to understand the logic and rationale of different research perspectives.
- Opportunities are created throughout the course for students to apply the ideas being discussed to their own personal research situations.
- The course provides an introduction to Information Systems research, and offers practical insight and guidance on the conduct of research.
- It is designed as a foundation for the development of the major research project or thesis. Students are required to attend a compulsory workshop at the start of the course and monthly class seminars.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
TOEFL iBT: 88
Other requirements
- Our typical applicant will have a research masters degree in Information Systems (IS), Commerce, Computer Science, Engineering, Social Science, Medicine, Law or fields related to National Development.
- However, applicants with no IS background should read the note below on background carefully before they consider applying.
- Under very exceptional circumstances, we will consider applicants with MBAs and others who have masters degrees without research components but a strong background in IS.
Tuition Fees
- International: 4,608 AUD / year (≈ 53,040 ZAR / year)
- Domestic: 4,608 AUD / year (≈ 53,040 ZAR / year)
Living costs
Cape Town, South Africa: 789–1,349 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

