IIE Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology - (Online)

Admission requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements:

• A relevant Master’s Degree at NQF Level 9 or equivalent in a cognate field.
• Candidates must have obtained an overall average of at least 65% for their Master’s Degree with evidence of research experience.
• International students must provide SAQA evaluation certificates as proof of the equivalence of their prior qualifications to prove that their prior qualifications are equivalent to a relevant Master's Degree at NQF level 9.

Candidates must further comply with the following rigorous selection criteria for entry into the Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology:

• Interview with relevant IIE academics - The interview by a qualified IIE academic will focus on the candidate’s academic qualifications, research potential, relevant experience, and alignment with the institution’s research strengths and priorities.
• Development of a Concept Document - Following a successful interview, candidates must develop and submit a relevant concept document for review.
• Once the Concept Document is approved, completion of the Proposal Development for Doctoral Studies Short Learning Programme (SLP) and defence of a research proposal will be required once the student may formally register for the Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology.

If a candidate meets the above minimum admission requirements:

• Selection into the Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology is further subject to faculty supervisory capacity, as well as an individual interview, the completion of a preparatory short learning programme, and approval by The IIE’s Higher Degrees Committee of a research proposal.
• The applicant has the right to request a written reason for any refused admission and may.
• The applicant has the right to request a written reason for any refused admission and may appeal to the Research and Postgraduate Committee in writing.
• If the Research and Postgraduate Committee upholds the refusal, the decision is final. The candidate may re-apply in the following academic year if they have been able to address the issues concerned and The IIE may invite the candidate to reapply if a suitable supervisor is employed.

For alternative admission options, reach out to student recruitment.

Please note, requirements for entry to this qualification are correct at the time of publication, however, these may change.

Curriculum

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology:

• PWDS021: Proposal Development for Doctoral Studies – To be successfully completed before registering and attempting DTIT1619.
• DTIT1619: Doctoral Thesis: Information Technology credits:360 NQF: 10

Accreditation

The IIE Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology is accredited by the Higher Education Quality Council (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and is registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a 360-credit qualification on level 9 (SAQA ID: TBC).

Teaching and Learning strategy

At The IIE, we believe that effective teaching is about creating experiences that foster student growth. Our lecturers design activities that challenge students and identify their strengths, allowing for real-time adaptation in the learning journey. By combining subject expertise with teaching insights and digital tools, we extend learning beyond the classroom. This approach ensures students not only keep up but thrive.

Device and connectivity specifications required for online study

• The appropriate technology equipment and tools are essential to succeed in distance (online) study.
• A reliable internet connection (we recommend 5-10 GB of data per month), your own device with at least Windows 8 or macOS 10.15 (Microsoft Office 365 is available as a free download for IIE students), and Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge Chromium or Firefox.
• An uninterrupted power supply is also highly recommended.