UJ ​Postgraduate Courses in the Department of Politics

The Department welcomes applications throughout the academic year for admission to the master’s and doctoral programmes in Politics and International Relations.  There are no specific commencement dates for advanced studies in these disciplines; the departmental postgraduate committee entertains applications on a continuous basis.

The MA degree is based on a dissertation and the DLit et Phil on a thesis; in neither case is coursework involved. Students can enrol for these degrees on a full-time or part-time basis.

The postgraduate committee follows a phased process of admission, which begins with determining an applicant’s eligibility for the particular programme. For admission to master’s studies, the minimum requirement is an honours or a four-year degree majoring in Politics or International Relations or a cognate field, like African Studies, with an average mark of at least 65% in these subjects in the final year (or an equivalent grade). A doctoral candidate must have completed an MA in one of the disciplines mentioned, earning a mark of no less than 65%.

Applicants meeting the basic entrance requirement are welcome to submit soft copies of their complete academic transcripts to the convenor of the postgraduate committee, Prof. Deon Geldenhuys ([email protected]). If a candidate’s highest degree was awarded by a non-South African university, he/she must have the qualification authenticated and evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA,www.saqa.org.za). A SAQA certificate should, where appropriate, be submitted to the postgraduate committee together with an applicant’s academic record. The committee may also request applicants to provide copies of their written academic work, such as an honours essay or master’s dissertation. The latter items could also be taken into account in determining an applicant’s eligibility for admission to advanced studies.

A candidate who meets the test of eligibility for an MA or DLit et Phil degree in Politics or International Relations will be allowed to proceed to the next stage of the admission process, which is the preparation of a brief research outline for the proposed dissertation or thesis. The convenor of the postgraduate committee will guide the applicant through this and the subsequent phases of the application process. The process is completed when a prospective student’s formal research proposal has been approved by the higher degrees committee of the Faculty of Humanities and the applicant is allowed to register for the degree. It usually takes several months for an applicant to reach the stage of registration (and to start paying tuition fees).​

Admission requirements: Students need a 65% pass rate at third-year level in similar/related field.
Duration of programme: 1 year​
Contact details:
Name: Dr S Graham / Tel: 011 559 4177 / Email: [email protected]

Brief description of programme: BA Honours Politics, with a compulsory
module in Research Mythology and mini research report, with choices ranging
from South African Politics; Gender; Area Studies; Contemporary Issues in
International Relations; International Organisations; Political Risk Analysis;
Theories and Concepts in Politics and International Relations.

Admission requirements: Students need a 65% pass rate at honours level.

Duration of programme: 2 years

Contact details:

Name: Prof Deon Geldenhuys / Tel: 011 559 2894 / Email: [email protected]

Brief description of programme: The MA Politics Research master’s

programme covers issues in Politics and International Relations. A student has to

write a dissertation on a selected theme from either the fields of Political Science

or International Relations, giving evidence of a critical approach and research

capability. An article ready for publication has to be submitted along with the

dissertation.​

​ DLitt et Phil (Politics)

Admission requirements: To gain entrance into this programme a student

needs a good pass mark at master’s level.

Duration of programme: 3 years

Contact details:

Name: Prof Deon Geldenhuys / Tel: 011 559 2894 / Email: [email protected]

Brief description of programme: A thesis on a theme in Political Science or

International Relations, as a unique contribution which also demonstrates the

ability to do independent and meaningful research, is required. An article ready

for publication has to be submitted along with the thesis.​