MPHIL in Higher Education Studies

Candidates should meet the following prerequisites to be admitted to the MPhil in Higher Education:

an applicable Honours degree, and be employed in a higher education environment for at least two years; or

any other academic-professional combination of studies equal to a Honours degree which the Senate deems suitable for admission to this programme, and be employed in a higher education environment; or

evidence that a candidate has reached a standard of competence in higher education, demonstrated through the process of evaluation of prior learning and according to the judgement of Senate, is regarded as being sufficient for submission.

The University of Stellenbosch has accepted a policy for the assessment and recognition of prior learning (RPL) on which the Centre currently draws to assess RPL applications, which is based on the premise of access rather than credit. Based on the information you provide if you do not meet the criteria for acceptance into the programme, we shall assess your application and let you know about the outcome as soon as possible. For more information about the RPL process, please contact Prof Peter Rule at prule2015@sun.ac.za

Apart from the critical/generic learning outcomes, which include self-management, problem solving, critical evaluation, effective communication and systemic thought, the programme requires of students to demonstrate research skills, reflective skills, writing skills, planning and evaluation skills, as well as the skill to integrate and apply knowledge in professional academic contexts.

You must do four compulsory modules. The research thesis is one of the four compulsory modules. The topic of the research thesis is chosen in consultation with an appointed supervisor and falls within the field of higher education studies. The programme modules are as follows:

Year 1

Perspectives in higher education

Learning in higher education

Research in higher education *

Year 2

Research Thesis

* Research in Higher Education is presented with a view to formulating the research proposal for your MPhil thesis.

For the three taught modules, the following applies:

Flexible assessment is used.

An assignment is required in every taught module.

You need a minimum of 50% in every module to pass the programme.

The research thesis:

Deals with a topic in the field of higher education studies.

Can also be submitted for examination in the form of examined or reviewed publishable articles.

Jacobs, L. (2020). Cohort supervision as an approach at postgraduate level: A conceptual framework for an open distance e-learning university. MPhil, 2020. 122 pp. Supervisor: Prof BL Frick, Co-Supervisor: Prof PN Rule

Viljoen, P.J. (2020). Possible Risks Related to Student Academic Success in Income Tax N6 at two TVET Colleges in the Western Cape Province. Supervisor: Prof Eli Bitzer

Barry, J. (2019). Student satisfaction with a blended learning approach: implementation evaluation of three Honours programmes in Education. Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe; Co-supervisor: Dr S Strydom

Rolando, M.A. (2019). The role of cooperative learning in fostering creativity withing a Fashion Design Context at a Private Higher Education Institution. Supervisor: Prof BL Frick

Wessels, L. (2019). How South African Universities can contribute to preparing the future workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe

Withering, M.D. (2019). Exploring students’ perceptions and constructions of graduate attributes at the University of the Western Cape. Supervisor : Prof EM Bitzer, Co-Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe

Abdo, F. (2018). Fostering design students' creativity through reflective practice. Supervisor: Prof BL Frick

Abrahams,HJ. (2018). The experiences of students and staff of assessment practices at one agricultural institute in the Western Cape Province. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer

Odendaal, D. (2018). A framework for using Experiential Learning Theory to develop Game-based learning. Supervisor: Prof BL Frick

Rakoma, M.A.(2018). Rural students' experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment. Supervisorr: Prof EM Bitzer

Sefalane, P. (2018). The role of a writing centre in enhancing the quality of student’s academic writing at a University of Technology. Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe

Van Zyl, B. (2018). Addressing the needs of commuter students: an evaluation of the amaMaties hub at Stellenbosch University. Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe, Co-supervisor: Dr M Dunn-Coetzee

Du Plessis, M (2017). Evaluating an isiXhosa clinical communication course at a health sciences faculty (cum laude). Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe, Co-supervisor: Dr E Archer

Boshoff, HJ (2016). The relative influence of two difference teaching strategies on the academic performance of a group of undergraduate Radiography students in anatomy studies. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Van der Merwe, C (2016). Experiences of feedback on medical students clinical skills performance in a clinical skills centre (cum laude). Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer, Co-supervisor: Ms E Archer.

Conradie, L (2016). Die problematiek van Wiskunde en Wiskundige Geletterdheid as voorbereiding vir Bag-studie aan die Elsenburg Landbou-Opleidingsinstituut. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Ross, K (2016). Factors influencing the academic success of first-year students in Chemistry at an agricultural training institution. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Boshoff, H (2015). Potential barriers to international exchange semesters at Stellenbosch University (cum laude). Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe

Du Plessis, H (2015). Evaluating the effectiveness of Advanced Programme Mathematics in preparing learners for university Mathematics (cum laude). Supervisor: Prof M Ndlovu, Co-supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe

Matlala, S (2015). The experiences of secondary school B.Ed (in-service) mathematics teachers about teaching mathematics through problem solving approach. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer, Co-supervisor: Prof D Wessels.

Theron, E (2014). Student engagement as a way of enhancing student success at a private higher education institution. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Bester, M (2013). Embedding graduate attributes in higher education curricula: An investigation into staff conceptions and orientations. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Dunn, M (2013). Promoting social change amongst students in higher education: an evaluation of the Listening, Living and Learning senior student housing programme at Stellenbosch University (cum laude). Supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe.

Lourens, E (2013). Understanding the experiences of educationally disadvantaged students at Stellenbosch University (cum laude). Supervisor: Dr M Ndlovu, Co-supervisor: Prof M Fourie-Malherbe

Swart, C (2013). An analysis of the tourism curriculum at Boland College: What the tourism industry in Stellenbosch requires from entry level employees. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Vandenbergh, SJE (2013). An ontological framework for facilitating success in doctoral studies at a South African university. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer, Co-supervisor: Dr BL Frick.

Van Zyl, A (2013). Teaching strategies of nurse educators regarding a potential theory-practice gap: An explorative study. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Coetzee, K (2012). The value of facilitation and mentoring in a Management and Leadership Fundamentals programme for Registered Nurses. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Jacobsz, J (2012). Stakeholders perceptions of an institutional quality audit: A Case Study. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Mohapili, A (2012). Exploring student teachers active learning through self-assessment, peer assessment and reflection in a Namibian College of Education. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Maart, R (2011). The alignment of assessment practices in Prosthetic Dentistry. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Chainda, A (2010). Investigating third-year students perception of the effect of the application of ICT on learning at a teachers college in Namibia. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Essa, I (2010). Exploring students reasons for non-completion in a postgraduate non-clinical nursing programme presented via interactive telematic education at Stellenbosch University. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Koen, M (2010). Exploring assessment in one South African higher education classroom. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

De Jager, E (2009). Studente se belewenis van 'n addisionele hulpgroep in 'n eerstejaarsmodule in Finansiële Rekeniningkunde. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Gugushe, T (2009). Curriculum innovation among educators in South African dental schools : attitudes, beliefs and perceptions. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.

Archer, E (2008). Using simulation in a Clinical Skills Centre to achieve procedural competency in a Critical Care Nursing programme. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer

Appollis, J (2008). Perceptions of staff on collegiality and accountability in promoting quality assurance at Helderberg College. Supervisor: Prof EM Bitzer.