Master Degree Programs in South Africa

University graduates in South Africa - and especially postgraduate students - is an essential component of the national system of innovation of modern industrialised societies. Such graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills that underpin the modern knowledge economy and Technology, Medicine or the Social Sciences and Humanities.

It is generally recognised that South Africa does not have sufficient numbers of highly skilled people in most professions, hence the priority given to a host of initiatives by state departments, focused on speeding up the process of skills development. The greatest shortage is at postgraduate level and recent initiatives, such as those by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation to accelerate the production of PhDs in the system, target this reality.

High international demand for South African graduates, together with the continuing brain drain of professionals, provide an urgent imperative to increase the production of postgraduate students in order for the country to remain competitive and to be able to generate knowledge that is responsive to a wide range of societal needs.

In this report we present the most salient findings of a comprehensive statistical analysis of the state of postgraduate studies in South Africa. The results presented here reaffirm the pressing need to prioritise the support and funding of greater numbers of  postgraduate students and to ensure that there is a clear, easily-accessible and sought-after transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies at our higher education institutions.

This Executive Summary is Organised around Six Main Themes

1. Growth in enrolments and graduations
2. Pile-up effects
3. Completion rates
4. The burden of supervision
5. Participation rates
6. Demographics

How does the higher education system work?

The academic year runs from January to December. There are currently 23 public higher education institutions in South Africa, divided into three different types of institution: universities of technology, traditional universities and comprehensive universities.

Private higher education institutions are allowed to operate as long as they are registered, accredited and do not discriminate on the grounds of race.

What courses are available?

The subject and level of course available depends on the type of institution. Masters degrees require one to two years’ full-time study. Traditionally they have been dissertation-based but more recently a structure of taught course with minor dissertation has become popular. Doctoral degrees last three years.

Universities of technology offer

• vocationally focused higher certificates, diplomas and degrees in business, engineering and technology;
• some postgraduate and research opportunities.

Traditional universities offer:

• degrees and diplomas at undergraduate and postgraduate level in academic subjects;
• a strong research capacity;
• a large number of postgraduate opportunities.

Comprehensive universities offer

• both academic and vocational courses;
• some postgraduate and research capacity.

Where can I study?

Universities with the highest proportion of non-South African students are:

• Rhodes University
• University of the Western Cape
• University of Cape Town
• University of Fort Hare 
• 
  

Entry Requirements

South African students usually access Masters degrees after completing a Bachelors degree followed by a one-year Honours course.

Application

Applicants can usually apply throughout the year. However, applications should be made well in advance of an academic year (beginning January) to be accepted for registration. Applications should be made direct to universities. Application forms are usually printed out, completed and signed and sent in the post with additional relevant documents.

Students wishing to study for courses longer than three months should apply for a study permit. See visa and immigration for more details.

Below is the list of Colleges/ Universities offering Bachelor Degree courses in South Africa

Architectur

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Master of Architecture Professional	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Business & Management

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Master in Finance and Investment (MFI)	Johannesburg	University of Witwatersrand
Masters in Public Management	Johannesburg	Regenesys Business School
Master's Degree in Development Finance	Cape Town	University of StellenboSchool
Masters of Management (MM) by Research	Johannesburg	University of Witwatersrand
MPhil in Futures Research	Cape Town	University of StellenboSchool
MM of Entrepreneurship And New Venture Creation	Johannesburg	University of Witwatersrand
MPhil in Management Coaching	Cape Town	University of StellenboSchool

Organization & Leadership

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
MA in Conflict Transformation and Management	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Finance / Analysis

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Masters Programme in Financial Management	Cape Town	University of Cape Town

Criminology

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Criminology and Criminal Justice in Public Law	Cape Town	University of Cape Town

Engineering

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
MSc in Construction Management	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Fashion

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
MTech in Fashion	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Healthcare

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
MA in Health and Welfare Management	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Nursing

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
MCur in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Medicine

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Master of Medicine (MMed)	Cape Town	University of Cape Town
Master of Medicine in Public Health Medicine	Cape Town	University of Cape Town

MBA

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Entrepreneurship MBA	Johannesburg	Gordon Institute of Business School
Executive MBA	Cape Town	University of Cape Town
GIBS MBA	Johannesburg	Gordon Institute of Business School
Masters in Business Administration (MBA)	Cape Town	University of Cape Town
MBA	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
MBA	Johannesburg	Regenesys Business School
MBA	Cape Town	University of Cape Town
MBA	Cape Town	University of StellenboSchool
MBA	Johannesburg	University of Witwatersrand
MBA Modular	Cape Town	University of StellenboSchool
MBA	Nationwide	Rhodes Investec Business School

Mathematics

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Actuarial Science	Cape Town	University of Cape Town

Film / TV studies

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
BA Honours in Motion Picture Medium	Several locations	AFDA The South African School
Master of Fine Arts	Several locations	AFDA The South African School

Performing Arts

Courses		Colleges/ Universities
BA Honours in Live Performance	Several locations	AFDA The South African School

Public Relations

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
MTech in Public Relations Management	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Psychology

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
MA in Clinical Psychology	Port Elizabeth	Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Social Science

Courses	Location	Colleges/ Universities
Masters of Social Sciences	Cape Town	University of Cape Town