Joint degrees at SU

What is a joint degree? 

A joint degree results from international academic collaboration between SU and a partner university abroad on a jointly defined and entirely shared study programme, the latter meaning that both partners are responsible for the entire programme and not only for their own separate parts. A joint degree is a single qualification awarded on a joint decision by the two partners. If the partners cannot come to a joint decision, neither of the partners may award the degree outside the agreement as a single institution degree.

Requirements for a joint degree agreement

Five requirements should be met for SU to conclude an agreement for a joint degree with a specific foreign university:

1. The joint degree should be aligned with SU’s vision and mission and should contribute to the attainment of SU’s goals.
2. SU should benefit from the complementarity of the specific foreign university.
3. SU and the foreign university should have the appropriate expertise in the research area in which the joint degree can be awarded.
4. There should be reasonable prospects for student movement between SU and the foreign university.
5. The agreement should have reasonable prospects of sustainability and active functioning based on a proven track record of collaboration between the two universities.

Formalities involved

The formalities of a joint degree agreement usually involve a set of documents finalised at different levels. The set of documents consists of:

• an institutional memorandum of understanding with the partner university;
• a general framework agreement governing the awarding of joint degrees between the partners, usually across all faculties and not specific to any individual student; and
• a candidate agreement, usually unique to an individual student and specifying how the different elements of the general framework agreement will apply to the individual’s project and case.

Important considerations

• It is preferable for joint degree agreements to be contemplated with existing partners.
• Concluding a new joint degree agreement requires a substantial matching of processes, rules and regulations and takes a considerable amount of time to negotiate. Where there is an existing general framework agreement, it is usually straightforward to conclude a candidate agreement because the basic principles are already agreed upon.
• A joint degree agreement involves time spent by the student at both universities, which means that travel, cost of living and visa costs are involved.
• Other costs include the fees of the partner university and the constitution of the joint examination committee (most examiners have to be physically present at the examination and the defence).

SU’s existing partners

The list of universities with which SU can enrol joint PhD degree candidates is not fixed but it is limited. New agreements are negotiated from time to time and the list does therefore change. Not all the agreements are applicable to all prospective candidates.

What you need to know to do a joint degree with an existing partner

• Find a supervisor at SU willing to supervise you jointly with a supervisor from a partner university.
• You and/or your supervisor should then identify someone at the partner university who is also willing to supervise you jointly.
• Once there is agreement, apply for and gain admission to both universities.
• A candidate agreement should be concluded for you between the partners. Various matters should be agreed on, such as how much time you will spend at each university, how your enrolment at both universities will be financed and who will bear the cost of assembling the joint examination committee.
• Be aware of the costs involved and make allowance for these because you cannot enter into a joint degree agreement and then decide along the way that you can no longer sustain your participation.

Joint degree agreements and student administration are managed from the Postgraduate Office within the Division for Research Development. For further information, email postgraduate@sun.ac.za.