Specific Admission Requirements

A BA Hons degree with Geography and Environmental Studies or equivalent qualification.  An average final mark of 60%.

Programme Structure

The programme focuses on the study and resolution of human-environmental problems, environmental disasters and urban or tourism phenomena from a spatial perspective.

Programme Content

Compulsory Module

11660 : Thesis (Geography and Environmental Studies A) 872(180)

Assessment and Examination

The thesis of 30 000 to 40 000 words, which demonstrates the ability to conduct independent research on a geographical problem, is assessed according to the regulations of Stellenbosch University in Part 1 of the Calendar.

Funding

Kindly access the following links for post-graduate funding opportunities:

http://www.sun.ac.za/english/research-innovation/Research-Development/postgraduate-funding-support

http://www.sun.ac.za/english/pgstudies/Pages/Funding.aspx

Application link

http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies

Enquiries

Programme co-ordinator: Prof. M Spocter

Tel: 021 808 3095 E-mail: mspocter@sun.ac.za

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.

Programme Description

The programme capacitates students with a strong theoretical foundation and practical skills to work as urban planners and spatial analysts. The course consists of a range of qualitative and quantitative knowledge on planning-related topics and the use of techniques such as spatial statistical analysis, computer-aided design and geographic information systems (GIS). The programme consists of a coursework component of 130 credits in the first year of study and a 130-credit research thesis in the second year of study which researches a relevant urban and regional planning problem.

This programme is accredited by SACPLAN and graduates who successfully completed this programme may register as a Candidate Planner and, after obtaining the required post qualification experience, can register as a Professional Planner

Admission requirements:

• A professional Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning or Development Planning, or
• An Honours degree in Geography or Sustainable Development, or an equivalent qualification; and
• A pass mark of 60%.
• Students without the required admission requirements may also be granted access to the programme through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route.

Compulsory Modules:

First Year

13299: Social Systems 812(10)

13300: Spatial Economic Systems 812(10)

13302: Urban Systems 812(10)

13301: Urban Form and Function 871(20)

13306: GIS Analysis 812(10)

13310: Planning Practice 871(20)

11434: Planning Legislation 871(15)

11435: Planning Theory 871(15)

11433: Planning Design 871(20)

Second Year

13151: Thesis (Urban and Regional Planning) 876(130)

Closing Date for Applications

South African students:

• Apply by 31Octoberof the preceding year.

International students:

• Apply by 31August of the preceding year.

Enquiries

Programme Co-ordinator: Dr DJ du Plessis
Tel: 021 808 3107
E-mail: ddp@sun.ac.za
Website: http://www.sun.ac.za/cruise

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.

Programme Description

This is a research master’s programme consisting of a 35 000 to 45 000 word thesis, which demonstrates the ability to conduct independent scientific research on an urban and regional planning problem. The thesis is assessed according to the regulations of Stellenbosch University.

This programme is suggested for graduate professional planners who hold a SACPLAN-accredited qualification and want to undertake advanced research on a specific research focus area linked to their current research or professional interests.

This is not a SACPLAN-accredited programme.

Admission requirements:

• A professional bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning or Development Planning; and
• A pass mark of 60%.

Closing Date for Applications

South African students:

• Apply by 31 October of the preceding year.

International students:

• Apply by 31 August of the preceding year.

Enquiries

Programme Co-ordinator: Dr DJ du Plessis
Tel: 021 808 3107
E-mail: ddp@sun.ac.za
Website: http://www.sun.ac.za/cruise

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.

Programme Description

The programme is aimed at equipping students with specialist knowledge of how cities and city systems function. The coursework capacitates students with a strong theoretical foundation and practical skills and covers advanced research in the fields of urban sociology, urban network analysis, urban morphology, spatial economics, urban governance, demographics and the use of statistics, spatial statistics, and geographic information systems (GIS) in urban analysis. The programme consists of a coursework component of 80 credits and a 100-credit research thesis which researches a relevant urban and regional science problem.

This programme is suggested for students who have an intensive background in contemporary urban development and want to focus on their own research interests, especially if they are an accomplished urban professional.

This is not a SACPLAN-accredited programme.

Admission requirements:

• A professional Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Development Planning, Engineering, Architecture; or
• A honours degree in one of the following disciplines: Geography, Sociology, Economics, Public Administration, Statistics, or Demography.
• Students without the required admission requirements may also be granted access to the programme through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route.

Compulsory Modules

12568: Thesis (Urban and Regional Science) 871(100)

13299: Social Systems 812(10)

13300: Spatial Economic Systems 812(10)

13304: Migration Systems 812(10)

13309: Urban Management 812(10)

13305: Statistical Analysis 812(10)

13302: Urban Systems 812(10)

13301: Urban Form and Function 812(10)

13306: GIS Analysis 812(10)

Closing Date for Applications

• South African students:
Apply by 31 October of the preceding year.
• International students:
Apply by 31 August of the preceding year.

Enquiries

Programme Co-ordinator: Dr DJ du Plessis
Tel: 021 808 3126 E-mail: ddp@sun.ac.za
Website: http://www.sun.ac.za/cruise

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.

Programme Description

This is a research master’s programme consisting of a 30 000 to 36 000 word thesis, which demonstrates the ability to conduct independent scientific research on an urban and regional science problem. It is assessed according to the regulations of Stellenbosch University.

This programme is suggested for graduate urban professionals who are not necessarily registered professional planners and want to undertake advanced research on a specific research focus area linked to their current research or professional interests.

This is not a SACPLAN-accredited programme.

Admission requirements:

• A professional Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Development Planning, Engineering, Architecture; or
• A honours degree in one of the following disciplines: Geography, Sociology, Economics, Public Administration, Statistics, or Demography.

Closing Date for Applications

• South African students:
Apply by 31 October of the preceding year.
• International students:
Apply by 31 August of the preceding year.

Enquiries

Programme Co-ordinator: Dr DJ du Plessis
Tel: 021 808 3126 E-mail: ddp@sun.ac.za
Website: http://www.sun.ac.za/cruise

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.

Admission requirements

A BA Honours degree with Geography and Environmental Studies as a major and appropriate training in geographical information systems (GIS), or a BA Honours degree in a related discipline as major approved by Senate as appropriate, and with appropriate training in GIS. An average final mark of 60% for the honours degree.

Programme structure and content

The programme is research–based and contains no coursework. The student completes a 30 000 to 40 000 word thesis on the implementation, management and application of GIS for managing resources and for spatial analysis and modelling of human geographical phenomena, disasters and problems. The research topic is developed and approved by the Department. The programme can be completed part–time and via distance learning (depending on the topic and access to appropriate infrastructure).

Assessment and examination

The thesis is externally and internally examined according to the regulations of Stellenbosch University as outlined in the General Calendar (Part 1). The mark awarded for the thesis counts towards 90% of the final mark awarded for the degree. The student is also required to orally present the research aims and findings. The oral is examined by three independent examiners and counts towards 10% of the final mark awarded for the degree.

Further study possibilities

The successful completion of the MA in Geography & Environmental Studies leads to a PhD in Geography & Environmental Studies

Application link

http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies

Enquiries

Programme co–ordinator: Prof A van Niekerk

021 808 3101 | avn@sun.ac.za

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.

Admission requirements

A BSc Honours degree with Geography and Environmental Studies as a major. An average final mark of 60% for the major.

Programme structure and content

The programme is research–based and contains no coursework. The student completes a 30 000 to 40 000 word thesis on the resolution of human–environmental problems and environmental phenomena from a spatial perspective. The research topic is developed and approved by the Department. The programme can be completed part–time and via distance learning (depending on the topic and access to appropriate infrastructure).

Assessment and examination

The thesis is externally and internally examined according to the regulations of Stellenbosch University as outlined in the General Calendar (Part 1). The mark awarded for the thesis counts towards 90% of the final mark awarded for the degree. The student is also required to orally present the research aims and findings. The oral is examined by three independent examiners and counts towards 10% of the final mark awarded for the degree.

Further study possibilities

The successful completion of the MSc in Geography & Environmental Studies leads to a PhD in Geography & Environmental Studies B

Application link

http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies

Enquiries

Programme co–ordinator: Prof A van Niekerk

021 808 3101 | avn@sun.ac.za

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.

Admission requirements

A BSc Honours degree in Geoinformatics, or an approved equivalent qualification. An average final mark of 60% for the honours degree.

Programme structure and content

The programme is research–based and contains no coursework. The student completes a 30 000 to 40 000 word thesis on the development, implementation, management and application of spatial technologies for managing resources, and for spatial analysis and modelling of environmental geographical phenomena and problems. The research topic is developed and approved by the Department. The programme can be completed part–time and via distance learning (depending on the topic and access to appropriate infrastructure).

Assessment and examination

The thesis is externally and internally examined according to the regulations of Stellenbosch University as outlined in the General Calendar (Part 1). The mark awarded for the thesis counts towards 90% of the final mark awarded for the degree. The student is also required to orally present the research aims and findings. The oral is examined by three independent examiners and counts towards 10% of the final mark awarded for the degree.

Further study possibilities

The successful completion of the MSc in Geoinformatics leads to a PhD in Geoinformatics

Application link

http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies

Enquiries

Programme co–ordinator: Prof A van Niekerk

021 808 3101 | avn@sun.ac.za

To apply for the programme, please visit the Faculty admission site here.