- Home
- Courses
- Cranefield College
- Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration at Cranefield College (2027)
NQF 10
qualification level
The Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration is a doctoral Degree offered by Cranefield College for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking About 3 to 4 years; online, supervised research to complete. This page covers the minimum admission requirements you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Do you qualify
Minimum Admission Requirements to study Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration at Cranefield College
- An appropriate master's degree with sufficiently high marks, from Cranefield or another recognised institution
- In exceptional cases, Recognition of Prior Learning may allow entry where you can show research and subject knowledge at master's level, for example through articles published in refereed journals
What you study
About This Course
The Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration (PhD) is a 360-credit research degree at NQF level 10 (SAQA ID 90563). There are no taught modules: candidates write a work-based thesis that creates new knowledge and adds value to their organisation and society.
The route to registration has several steps:
- Apply to the Registrar with a full portfolio of evidence.
- The admissions committee checks that you meet the minimum requirements.
- If approved, you submit a complete research proposal within three months.
- The PhD committee reviews the proposal and may hold an online colloquium with you.
- Once the proposal is approved, you register as a doctoral candidate and a supervisor is appointed.
The degree usually takes three to four years, and a fourth year can be approved. Theses are submitted by 1 November (for March graduation) or 1 June (for September graduation). You must stay in regular contact with your supervisor throughout.
The PhD suits senior leaders and consultants in project, programme and general management who want to make an original contribution to their field.
After you graduate
Careers This Course Leads To
Executive leader, senior consultant, academic or researcher in management and programme management.
Course intelligence for Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Administration doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like Cranefield College. Ask Cranefield College directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
Cranefield College’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with Cranefield College and NSFAS.
Step by step
How to Apply at Cranefield College for 2027
Send your application and a comprehensive portfolio of evidence (academic record, CV and research interests) to the Registrar using the online application form on the Cranefield website. The admissions committee reviews it and, if you qualify, asks for a full research proposal within three months. You register as a candidate once the PhD committee approves the proposal.
Ready to apply? This takes you straight to Cranefield College of Project and Programme Management’s own official application page.
Apply NowYou will leave studies.mycourses.co.za and apply directly with Cranefield College of Project and Programme Management.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What Courses Do I Qualify For in South Africa?
Enter your own subject marks and we'll show you real courses you're likely to qualify for, right now, plus what those courses tend to lead to: how in-demand the work is, whether NSFAS is likely to fund it, and how competitive admission is.
Similar options
Related Courses
Source: Official website: https://www.cranefield.ac.za/course/doctor-of-philosophy-in-commerce-and-administration-phd-nqf-l10/, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Cranefield College of Project and Programme Management before applying.