DUT Postgraduate Studies

Durban University of Technology (DUT) offers honours degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and master's and doctoral degrees across its faculties. Master's and doctoral applications start with the department, not with an online form. Here is how postgraduate study at DUT works, based on its official pages.

How to apply for a master's or doctorate

1. Contact the relevant head of department if you know your field of study, or the Research and Postgraduate Office for guidance.
2. Complete and submit a PG1 form and supporting documents to the head of department.
3. The head of department checks that you are suitable, that your proposed research topic is viable, and that the department can provide supervision and facilities.
4. Complete the application and registration process.

When to register

New students may register at any time during the year. But a first-time master's or doctoral student must register on or before the last working day in March for that year to count towards the minimum duration of the degree. If you register later, you must re-register for the whole of the following year as well.

Once you register, DUT expects a master's degree to be completed within two years and a doctorate within three. You must re-register each year by the last working day in March and submit progress reports. If you do not, you may have to re-apply for admission.

Research proposals

You begin your full proposal once you have registered and a supervisor has been allocated. Proposals are submitted on forms PG4a and PG4b and go to the Faculty Research Committee for approval. The PG4a should not be more than 20 pages, including attachments. Some faculties, such as Management Sciences, ask for a one-page concept note with your application.

Fees in 2026

DUT's 2026 fee booklet lists, for example, R21,260 for the first registration of the research project and dissertation in several master's degrees, such as the Master of the Built Environment. Part-time master's and doctoral students can pay tuition in instalments, starting with R5,260.

Honours and postgraduate diploma awards

Full-time students who achieved 75% or more for all modules in their advanced diploma or bachelor's degree, on the first attempt and in record time, qualify for 100% remission of tuition fees for honours or a postgraduate diploma. Students with 65% to 74.5% pay the registration fee and 50% of their tuition fees. Part-time students do not qualify.

Funding

DUT's research office lists full-time master's and doctoral scholarships for unemployed postgraduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellowships. Its postgraduate handbook also advises applying to external funders, such as the National Research Foundation.

Related pages

See DUT fees, DUT bursaries and DUT courses.