40 PhD programmes in Arts, Design & Architecture in South Africa

The Drama and Performance Studies programme at University of Kwazulu Natal offers a full postgraduate programme, including Honours, Masters and Doctoral degrees. 

A doctoral degree in Arts at the University of South Africa (UNISA) will require you to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis.

The PhD is the highest qualification which a student can earn by conducting independent research under supervision. This PhD in Fine Arts by Creative Work is offered at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

At the University of Cape Town, we offer our graduate students a phd programme degree in Theatre. Join us! 

At the University of Cape Town, we offer our graduate students a phd programme in Dance. Join us and study at our university! 

The Wits School of Arts PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is the highest qualification which a student can earn by conducting independent research under supervision.

The PhD in Visual Arts is a doctoral programme at Stellenbosch University that offers an opportunity for an independent, specialised and advanced research project that makes an original and creative contribution to the broad discipline of media and the visual arts. 

The Urban and Regional Planning programme at Stellenbosch University is presented by the Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE) of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

Candidates for the PhD in Music at Stellenbosch University must have a Master’s degree (or an acceptable equivalent qualification approved by Senate for this purpose) that provides evidence of advanced, independent creative abilities and/or research skills.

This Urban Studies programme is offered by the Department of Sociology within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg.

The School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics at University of Cape Town is committed to fostering post-graduate research and to expanding its cohort of doctoral students. 

This Interdisciplinary Arts and Culture Studies PhD programme is offered by the Wits School of Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

The Theatre and Performance department at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg offers a PhD in the field of Theatre and Performance.

The South African College of Music at University of Cape Town offers training in a range of orchestral instruments, piano, voice, African music and jazz. 

This Urban and Regional Planning programme is offered by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg.

This Music - Performing Art degree programme is offered by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria.

This Drama and Film Studies degree programme is offered by the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria.

This Architecture programme is offered by the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria.

The Doctor of Philosophy in History of Art is offered within the Wits School of Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

At the University of Cape Town, we offer our graduate students a phd programme degree in Film Studies.