INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE DOCTORAL AND MASTERS STUDENTS - 2017
Thank you for your interest in St Augustine College. We hope that we will be able to welcome you as a student in the near future.
Please read this document before filling in an application form.
The information in this document is set out under the following headings.
1. Background to the College
2. Programmes offered
3. Rules and Syllabuses
4. Schedule of modules for MPhil degrees (See separate document attached)
5. Description of how the degrees of Master of Philosophy are run
6. Description of how the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy are run
7. How to apply
8. What information you need to provide
9. Definition of an international student
10. Admission criteria
11. Closing dates for application
12. Proof of identity
13. Correct name
14. Study permits
15. Minors
16. Indication of race on application form
17. Dates for admission
18. Non-degree purposes and attendance only
19. Accommodation
20. Fees and banking details
21. The College’s address
1. Background to the College
See Prospectus for 2017 (Page 4)
2. Programmes offered
See Prospectus 2017 (Page 9)
3. Rules and Syllabuses
See attached or in Prospectus for 2017 (Pages 53 – 61 and 96 – 111)
4. Schedule of Modules for MPhil
This is enclosed as a separate document. Please note that the College cannot guarantee that all modules will be offered as scheduled as it is sometimes necessary to cancel modules if an insufficient number of students register for them.
5. Description of how the degrees of Master of Philosophy are run
The degrees of Master of Philosophy are offered either by a combination of coursework and research or by research only. Prospective students are warned that hard work is required for any combination.
Please plan on 15 -16 hours of work per week
Students may select one of the following degrees:-
Master of Philosophy in Applied Ethics
Master of Philosophy in Culture and Education
Master of Philosophy in Philosophy
Master of Philosophy in Theology
Please note that:-
(1) within the degree of Master of Philosophy in Applied Ethics there are two specialisations:
(a) Business Ethics
(b) Social and Political Ethics
(2) within the degree of Master of Philosophy in Culture and Education there is a specialisation in Educational Leadership.
(3) within the degree of Master of Philosophy in Theology there are four specialisations:
(a) Fundamental and Systematic Theology
(a) Canon Law (open only to applicants who have a degree in Theology or a
qualification that Senate considers to be equivalent and is only offered on demand)
(b) Christian Spirituality
(c) Pastoral Theology (not offered in 2017)
5.1 Standard curriculum for MPhil:
Students are required to complete seven modules and a Research Paper of approximately 18 000 words.
Modules must be selected from the curricula available for each degree. See Rule M.8 in the rules for the Degree of MPhil in the Prospectus attached.
The degrees are divided into eight quarters over two years, with one module to be completed each quarter. The final quarter is devoted to a Research Paper.
Each module begins with a week of intensive tuition – usually from 09h00 to 17h00 each day. This means that you have to be able to be present at the College for a whole week, four times in the first year and three times in the second year. The dates are set out in the Schedule of Modules attached.
Each module will have a formative and a summative assessment opportunity of two equal components (See Rule M.10 2(a) on page 58).
Look at the Schedule of Modules and the curriculum for the degree or specialisation and work out which modules you wish to do.
The names of the lecturers for each module appears on the Schedule of Modules. Please do not hesitate to consult me or the Head of Department for the degree should you need advice. The Heads of Department are:
Mr Alastair Smurthwaite for Culture and Education
Dr Jaco Kruger for Philosophy and Applied Ethics
Dr Judith Coyle for Theology
Even though the students and the lecturers may have returned home after the lecture week the students will have access to the lecturers via e-mail, fax, telephone or mail and are encouraged to communicate with them if they wish to.
5.2 MPhil Special Curriculum:
A student may, in circumstances that Senate considers to be exceptional, be permitted to undertake a curriculum of only 4 modules instead of 7 and then to do a longer Research Paper of 30 000 words.
The average weight of the 4 modules counts 40% towards the degree and the weight of the Research Paper counts 60% towards the degree.
5.3 MPhil by Research Only:
If you wish to do any one of the four MPhil degrees by research only, this has to be done over one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. You must fill in the same application form but must check the rules first and then ask for detailed Standing Orders on the MPhil degrees to see how to prepare for the degree.
The research should normally be in the subject in which the candidate passed an Honours degree or equivalent examination.
6. Description of how the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is run
This is done by research and the submission of a thesis on an approved topic, under supervision.
Students may select one of the following two degrees:
Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy in Theology
Please look at the rules for the degree first (attached or in the Prospectus on pages 62 - 63) and then ask for the Standing Orders on the DPhil degrees.
7. How to apply for admission as a candidate for any degree
Fill in the attached application form, taking care to read it carefully, and submit it to the Assistant Registrar: Postgraduate Education together with the supporting documentation and a non-refundable application fee of R500, by the closing date. (See 11 below.)
In the case of a research degree (MPhil or DPhil) a short description of what research you plan to do. (See also 8 below.)
Your application will be considered by the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee and, if approved, you will be invited to register.
8. What information you need to provide
Applicants are required to submit proof of their tertiary level qualifications and studies. This means that full and detailed academic records are required of all courses attempted at tertiary level. Certificates showing only courses passed are not sufficient. Even if an applicant did not complete a qualification he or she should supply a record of his or her registration showing marks obtained for every course attempted at that tertiary level institution.
If the qualification is from a foreign country, an evaluation certificate must be obtained from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Only online applications for evaluation of foreign qualifications will be accepted. (Phone 012-431 5000 or email to get details about applying online).
All copies of qualifications and academic records (transcripts) must be certified as true copies by a Commissioner of Oaths.
The College may require an applicant to provide proof of secondary school qualifications.
In the case of both a DPhil degree and an MPhil by research only an applicant must also submit an outline of 2-4 pages on his or her proposed topic for the thesis or dissertation. That submission will be considered by the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee when considering the application.
In the case of an international student, a study permit is necessary, unless the student returns to his country after attending each module.
9. Definition of an international student
An international student is defined as someone who is not a South African citizen or someone who does not have permanent residence status in South Africa.
10. Admission criteria
You will see from the General Rules and the Rules for Degrees (in the Prospectus) that to be eligible for admission as a candidate for any postgraduate degree at the College a person must have obtained a matriculation exemption certificate as well as an appropriate degree or degrees.
For any degree of Master of Philosophy an applicant should hold an honours degree with a research component (normally with at least a 2nd class pass); or a four-year degree that Senate considers to be suitable in which the student obtained an average of at least a 2nd class pass in the fourth year of study; or a three-year degree and evidence of having pursued a course of study or research that is relevant to the Master of Philosophy degree and who satisfies Senate that he or she has attained an Honours standard in that field. An applicant who does not have above mentioned qualifications may be asked if he or she is prepared to go through the College’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedures.
For a degree of Doctor of Philosophy, an appropriate degree of Master in an area considered by Senate to be suitable, must have been completed.
While some exceptions to these rules may be made in special cases, in all cases the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee, acting on behalf of Senate, will consider applications and decide whether or not to admit candidates.
11. Closing dates for application
There will normally be two registration periods for the MPhil and DPhil programmes, namely, in January and July of the academic year, For the first intake in January all applications must be submitted by 31 October 2016. Applications for the second annual intake must be submitted by 15 May 2017. Late applications will be considered.
The formal period of registration for the January intake will take place in the first week of December 2016 and for the July intake the first week of June 2017.
Applications for a research degree (MPhil by Research Only or DPhil) will be accepted at any time although candidates will be admitted with a view to starting in either January or July each year.
12. Proof of identity
It is necessary for the College to have proof of your identity when you come to register so please be prepared to bring a certified copy of your South African identity book with you or, if you are not South African or do not have permanent residence status in South Africa, your passport. Married women are also required to bring certified copies of their marriage certificates (this information is necessary for reporting to the Department of Higher Education and Training).
13. Correct name
Unless you notify us in writing otherwise, the name which is on your identity book or passport will be the one which appears on your degree certificate when you graduate from St Augustine College.
If your name is in any way different from the name on your academic qualifications (which might happen in the case of a woman who has changed her name on marriage), then a marriage certificate or other formal documentation showing proof of a name change must be presented to the Assistant Registrar. See also 12 above.
14. Study permits
Applicants living in South Africa who are not South African or who do not have South African residence status are required to have a study permit before being allowed to register. Please make further enquiries if you are in that position.
15. Minors
A person who is under the age of 21 is a minor and his or her signature has to be countersigned by a parent or guardian. A guardian is someone so appointed by a court of law.
16. Indication of race on application form
Please note that the national Department of Higher Education and Training requires us to give statistical returns indicating what race our students are, so we are obliged to ask for this information on our forms.
17. Dates of admission
Candidates for an MPhil are admitted with a view to starting a degree in January or July of a year (See 11 above).
18. Non-degree purposes and attendance only
Non-degree purposes (NDP) - If a person wishes to do a module for non-degree purposes i.e. attend the lectures and complete the assessments, he or she must still apply in the normal way and submit full documentation as required for a degree student. The fee for doing a module for non-degree purposes is R7 250 payable on registration.
Attendance only (AO) - If a person wishes simply to attend the module i.e. sit in on the classes, he or she must indicate this on the application and registration form.
The fee is R3 150 per module payable on registration.
19. Residential accommodation
The College no longer has accommodation available on campus. If accommodation is required, Mr Jean-Marie Uwimana will be able to provide you with a list of accommodation in the area. His contact details are 011-380 9023 or cell phone 072 5174884, email – .
20. Fees for 2017
20.1 Application fee: A non-refundable fee of R500
20.2 Tuition fees:
20.2.1 Dates of payment
· For registrations during the 1st intake (January): 50% of the total tuition fee for the year is payable on registration (1st week of December) and the remaining 50% by the 1st week of June.
· For new students registering during the 2nd intake (July): fees for the second half of the year are payable in full at registration by the 1st week of June.
A discount of 10% will be granted to all students who pay the annual tuition fee for all registered modules in 2017 on registration.
20.2.2 Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
The fee is R13 100 per annum (part-time) or R24 000 per annum (full-time).
Minimum payment R6 000 and R12 000 and the remainder within three months.
20.2.3 Degree of Master of Philosophy
Standard MPhil curriculum:
R7 250 per module. 50% of the annual fee to be paid on registration.
The tuition fee for the Research Paper is R9 150 and for the Research Methods Workshop it is R3 950.
If a student has not handed in his or her Research Paper within the 10 month period granted, he or she will have to pay the continuation fee of R5 800 per semester (every six months).
Special MPhil curriculum:
Each module costs R7 250 50% of the annual fee to be paid on registration.
The fee for the Research Paper is R10 800, which must be paid at or before the start of the Research Paper. The minimum period of study is 29 months (i.e. 26 months plus three months’ grace) from the date of first registration for the degree in the case of a part-time student.
MPhil by research only: