Programme information
Refer also to G30-G41.
The degree is conferred on the basis of a dissertation and examination on the field of study of the dissertation and/or divisions of the field of study as required by the relevant head of department.
Admission requirements
General Admission Regulations:
Refer to the UP Institutional Admissions Policy as well as the General Academic Regulations and Student Rules (Go to www.up.ac.za./yearbooks/home and click on General Rules and Regulations, then on General Academic Regulations and Student Rules)
- All applications must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Certified full academic transcripts from undergraduate to current level;
- Certified copy of ID or passport;
- A research concept note (not applicable to honours or coursework master's degrees): A description of the proposed research field indicating a research topic and the broad scope of the proposed study, not exceeding 500 words.
- All applicants with international qualifications must submit the following documents, subject to provision number 9:
- A SAQA evaluation of the completed qualification or a comprehensive Foreign Qualification Report
- *TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results (if applicable)
- Certified copy of passport.
- All postgraduate applications are subject to departmental admissions processes.
- Admissions is based on the content of and performance in the prior degree, bridging arrangements (where required), academic merit and prior work experience (if applicable).
- Admission to all qualifications is subject to supervisory capacity and/or research projects in the field of specialisation in a department, therefore the relevant department has the right to limit the number of students per year.
- Complying with the minimum admissions requirements, does not automatically guarantee admission to the degree.
- Proposed research studies for masters and doctoral applicants should align with the research focus of the relevant department.
- If a qualifying candidate has expressed an interest in a field of study that the relevant department cannot accommodate, the applicant may be considered for an alternative project.
- All postgraduate applicants must be proficient in English as English is the official language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria. Candidates who cannot provide evidence that previous studies were completed in English, must submit TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results with their application.
- All applicants must be computer literate.
- All students need to have access to an internet enabled device, as well as consistent email and internet access.
- Allowance will be made for the diversity profile of students in accordance with the University strategy.
Minimum admissions requirements:
- Relevant BEng degree (4-year) (NQF level 8) or equivalent, with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the degree
Note: Three years of relevant postgraduate work experience may be required
Examinations and pass requirements
The stipulations of the relevant Faculty regulations are applicable.
Refer also to G36-G37.
The average mark awarded by all the examiners is the final mark, with the pass mark being at least 50%.
Upgrading from a master's to a doctoral degree
- This EBIT faculty regulation should be read in addition to G41.
- Upgrading from a master’s to a doctoral degree can only be considered for exceptional students.
- Application for upgrading can only be submitted after at least one year of study for the master's degree, but no later than two years.
- The application for the upgrading must include the following:
- A letter from the candidate requesting the upgrade which includes a brief motivation.
- A progress report prepared by the candidate and supported by the supervisor on the work completed to date for the master's degree. The report must provide proof that the results obtained thus far are of such standard and scientific importance that it justifies its converting to a doctoral degree.
- All details regarding presentations during conferences and accepted publication(s) in internationally accredited and high impact journals must be provided in full.
- A detailed explanation by the candidate of the intended doctoral project with an indication of the objectives of the project, methodology and the outcomes he or she intends to achieve with the project.
- A recommendation of the supervisor with specific comment on the ability of the applicant as potential doctoral candidate as well as on the expediency and feasibility of the upgrading.
- A report from at least one external referent. The supervisor should forward 2 nominations to the head of the relevant department for recommendation to the DD Research and Postgraduate studies who will appoint one referent.
- A minimum of one journal article, where the candidate is the first author, in a high-impact accredited journal with an explanation by the supervisor with respect to the specific contribution made by the candidate.
- A recommendation by the head of department.
Research information
A student must by means of a dissertation or mini-dissertation prove that he or she is capable of planning, instituting and executing a scientific investigation. Conferment of the degree may be made subject to compliance with the stipulations of this regulation.
One article has to be submitted to an accredited journal on submission of a research master’s dissertation. At the latest, just before the department submits the final mark of a dissertation, a student should submit proof of submission of an article issued by an accredited journal, to the head of the department, for his/her recommendation to the dean. The submitted article should be based on the research that the student has conducted for the dissertation and should have been approved by the supervisor. The affiliations of both the student and supervisor should be listed as the University of Pretoria.
Refer also to G40.
With the exception of an honorary degree, a degree will be conferred on a student only if the student has complied with all the requirements for the particular degree and has reached the level of competence prescribed for the degree, and on condition that no one is entitled to any privileges pertaining to a degree before the degree has been conferred on him or her at a graduation ceremony.
Pass with distinction
A student passes with distinction if an average mark of at least 75% is obtained for the dissertation (and the examination on the dissertation, where applicable).
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