Requirements for Postgraduate

Nelson Mandela University offers opportunities for postgraduate studies across the full spectrum of qualification types.


Whether you are pursuing an academic or professional career, aiming for success in the private or public sector, or just want to add value to your personal development, postgraduate studies offer the opportunity to deepen your understanding and sharpen your skills, to specialise and to focus on what interests you. A relevant postgraduate qualification is becoming increasingly valuable in the employment market.

International trends indicate that more graduates are competing for fewer jobs. Job opportunities in many sectors of the economy have become highly competitive, and a postgraduate qualification sets you apart from the rest. Supported by career experience, a relevant postgraduate qualification gives you the competitive edge and will surely contribute to promotional opportunities in your career. Distinguish yourself by not only pushing the boundaries of your current body of knowledge but also by refining your intellectual capacity. Enroll for a postgraduate programme and become part of the intellectual stronghold that contributes to the global accumulation and application of knowledge.
For up to date information on our Postgraduate studies, please download and browse the Faculty Prospectus via the link below
Please note that we do not have any bursaries, scholarships or sponsorship for undergraduate international students. Please feel free to inquire about the cost of tuition at Nelson Mandela University. Postgraduate students can however apply for scholarships. Please visit the website for more information:  https://rcd.mandela.ac.za/Contact-RCD
LEVELS & TYPES OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
BACHELOR HONOURS DEGREE

An honours degree is an initial postgraduate qualification, preparing students for research-based postgraduate study. This qualification typically follows a bachelor’s degree and serves to deepen your expertise in a particular discipline, and to develop research capacity for further study at master’s level. Not all honours programmes involve actually conducting research, but all of them should at least include a research methodology course as part of the coursework component.

Duration of study: one year full-time
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA

A postgraduate certificate or diploma provides an opportunity to undertake advanced study that will strengthen and deepen your knowledge in a particular discipline or profession. Completion of the qualification gives graduates access to a related master’s degree programme. The programmes consist mainly of coursework modules and may include conducting and reporting research under supervision.

Duration of study: one year full-time
MASTER’S DEGREE

A master’s degree may be earned in one of two ways: (i) by completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation, or (ii) by successfully completing a coursework programme and a smaller applied research component. The admission requirement is a relevant honours degree. Professional or advanced career-focused bachelor’s degrees, such as BEng, BPharm, BCur, BPsych and BTech, may also be recognised as the minimum entry requirement to a related master’s degree programme.

Duration of study: Coursework master’s degree: one year full-time. Research master’s degree: one year to 4 years
DOCTORAL DEGREE

A doctoral degree requires a candidate to undertake research at the most advanced academic level, culminating in the production of a thesis. The research outcome has to make a significant and original academic contribution to a discipline or field. The degree may be earned through pure discipline based or multi-disciplinary or applied research. The degree may include a coursework component as preparation to the research, but does not contribute to the credit value of the qualification.

Duration of Study: 2 to 6 years
GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION
All International research Master’s and Doctoral students may be required to spend at least nine months of their period of study on the campus. Applicants can also be required to spend three weeks on-campus to finalise research proposals before final admission.

The South African Higher Education system operates mostly as a 3-1-1-2 system. This means the following: an undergraduate bachelor of three years or a four year professional qualification followed by, in most cases, a one year postgraduate programme referred to as an Honours degree. This specialist taught programme is required for entrance to a Master’s programme.

Most research Master’s programmes have a one year minimum duration followed by a two year minimum registration for a Doctoral programme. Admission to all these programmes are based on academic excellence in previous studies. Applications from applicants that acquired an average mark of 60% or higher in their previous qualification, will be considered for admission.
Admission to any programme is also determined by the capacity to supervise a postgraduate research topic. Prospective applicants are thus required to provide, along with their application, a complete academic transcript of previous studies, and all other relevant documentation that will assist the University to make an informed admissions decision.

Applicants that consider the submission of an application for a research Master’s qualification or an application for Doctoral studies should also submit a study proposal that includes a comprehensive description of the GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION field of study as well as a description of the study topic.

Applicants should also include the application fee with the application. Detailed admissions criteria for all the different qualifications offered at postgraduate level are provided in the University prospectus. Applicants considering Honours and coursework Master’s programmes should apply during the dates prescribed for postgraduate students.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT


The medium of instruction and examination at the Nelson Mandela University is English.
  • IELTS – 6.5 overall score with a minimum of 6 in each section.
  • TOEFL: PBT – 570 overall (obtained within 3 years before application) with minimums of 53 in listening, 52 in reading and 59 in structure/written
  • CBT – 230 overall with minimums of 19 in listening, 19 in reading and 25 in structure/written
  • IBT – 90 overall with minimums of 18 in listening, 17 in reading 22 in writing and 19 in speaking

ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR RESEARCH MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL DEGREES


All applications are processed through our online application system. Apart from the general admission requirements, a candidate may be required to fulfil further requirements, e.g. supplementary work or an oral/ written examination. Where applicable, a candidate must submit a research proposal for approval by the Faculty Research, Technology and Innovation Committee within the prescribed minimum period. Once such approval has been obtained, an official research project is registered by the Faculty. If the candidate complies with these admissions criteria, various processes will be undertaken to assign the candidate an appropriate supervisor or promoter.

Applicants can apply online by logging on to:
applyonline.mandela.ac.za

Your online application should be accompanied by:

  • Certified Degree Certificate
  • Full academic transcript / record of courses completed
  • SAQA Certificate (All Postgraduate students; Honours; Masters; and PhD have to submit the SAQA Certificate)
  • Research Proposal for those applying for research programmes
  • Students coming from a non-English speaking countries need to meet the English language requirements
  • Certified copy of your passport
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Proof of payment of the non-refundable application fee (ZAR 500.00)
Post-graduate applicants can apply throughout the year and there is no closing date for applications. Therefore it is important to note that if you would like to register in a particular year and for that year to count as an academic year you will have to submit your application well in advance in order for it to be processed and evaluated and for you to be accepted for registration in the following year.

General Terms & Conditions:

  • After the Office for International Education receives an application, the application is checked and processed.
  • Applications without proof of payment of the application fee will not be processed.
  • Prospective applicants will be notified if certain documents are outstanding and that they should submit these documents as soon as possible. No further processing of such applications will take place until the required documents are received.
  • Correctly completed application forms submitted with the required documents will be evaluated and processed.
  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.
  • Applicants will be informed in writing and or via e-mail if they do not meet the admission requirements of the University. The application fee is unfortunately non-refundable.

Applicants that are accepted will receive the following:

  • An acceptance letter indicating their student number and the programme for which they are accepted for. (This letter is required to apply for a study permit)
  • An acceptance of offer form (This must be completed and you must submit the required fee in order to secure your place of study)
  • A request for accommodation form (International students are required to apply for accommodation via the Office for International Education)
  • An orientation form
  • Medical aid information
  • A pre-arrival book
  • A fees booklet
 
Alternatively contact us to begin your South African study experience!
One of our student advisors will help you with all the details.
or call us on: +27 (0) 41 504 2161