UCT Postgraduate Admission Requirements
Postgraduates
Health Sciences
Postgraduate admission requirements
Postgraduate diplomas
Applicants for any of the Postgraduate Diplomas require an approved Bachelor’s degree with the appropriate subjects or other qualifications that could be considered to be equivalent. In addition, some programmes have additional admission requirements and the relevant department or the Faculty Office (Postgraduate Administration unit) should be contacted directly.
Honours
The minimum admission requirement for an Honours degree is a Bachelor’s degree with specific major subjects. Some programmes have additional admission requirements and the relevant department or the Faculty Office (Postgraduate Administration unit) needs to be contacted directly.
Master’s admission requirements
The minimum admission requirement for a Master’s degree is an Honours degree in the subject that the applicant wishes to pursue at Master’s level. The relevant department or the Faculty Office (Postgraduate Administration unit) should be contacted to establish specific admission requirements.
Applicants for research Master’s degrees are required to submit a research proposal with the application. Prospective applicants are advised to contact the relevant Department direct in this regard.
Doctorates
The minimum requirement for admission as a doctoral candidate is a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
Applicants are required to submit a research proposal with the application. Prospective aplicants are advised to contact the relevant Department direct in this regard.
Humanities
The UCT Postgraduate Prospectus (available on the main website) contains the latest admission requirements for the specific academic programmes on offer at postgraduate level from the Faculty of Humanities. In general, applicants are required to have a Bachelors degree in the relevant discipline or an equivalent qualification. Applicants with appropriate and relevant experience may be eligible for admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In the Faculty of Humanities, RPL applications are approved by the Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate Affairs on the recommendation of the HoD who assesses the relevance of an applicant’s prior experience.
| Degree | Duration | Basic admission requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Honours degree | Usually 1 year in duration | Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.Please note: candidates are required to meet specific entrance criteria for Honours degrees offered through the different academic departments.Admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning is possible in appropriate circumstances |
| Masters degree | To be completed within 1 or 2 years from date of registration | Applicants are required to have an Honours degree or equivalent qualification. In addition, all applications for Masters by Research (Dissertation 100%) are required to submit a research proposal. No formal registration can take place until the proposal has been considered and approved by the department’s Higher Degrees Committee (HDC).Admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning is possible in appropriate circumstances. |
| PhD degree | To be completed within 4 or 5 years from date of registration | Applicants are required to possess a Masters degree or equivalent qualification. |
For a step by step guide to postgraduate admissions in the Faculty, please consult pages 20 – 22 of the Humanities Postgraduate Studies Guide.
Applicants are encouraged to consult the Postgraduate FAQs listed on the Humanities website.