Postgraduate Diploma in Social Science Methods
Financial assistance at enrolment: 5 allocations of R6 000 each based on financial need and academic merit
BA Honours in Sociology or Social Anthropology
4 Departmental SP Cilliers Bursaries of R48 150 each
6 Mellon Bursaries of R85 000
Up to 4 Student assistantships, R40,000 each: SARChI research programme on the Sociology of Land, Environment & Sustainable Development
MA in Sociology
4 Bursaries, R70,000 each p.a.: SARChI research programme on the Sociology of Land, Environment & Sustainable Development
10 Mellon Bursaries of R142 500
PhD Sociology
Up to 4 Bursaries, R100,000 p.a.: SARChI research programme on the Sociology of Land, Environment & Sustainable Development
SARChI bursaries: For further information see the programme website, www.cosmopolitankaroo.co.za ; also contact Prof Cherryl Walker at cjwalker@sun.ac.za
Application procedure :
Once accepted into one of our programmes, you will receive more information on the particular departmental bursary or research grant.
Closing date for Departmental bursaries is 30 November 2017.
Please indicate your interest in one of the above on our Postgraduate-Information-Form-2018
Send Postgraduate Information Forms to genay@sun.ac.za
Students are also invited to apply for other bursaries or loans from Stellenbosch University and for teaching and research assistant positions. For more information: www.sun.ac.za
DEPARTMENTAL CRITERIA FOR MAKING THE AWARD
- The number and value of SP Cilliers Honours Bursaries for 2018 have been set at four bursaries of R48 150 each.
- The deadline for submission of applications from students is 30 November 2017. The Department will endeavour to inform applicants of the outcome by 11 December 2017.
Details about the Bursary and the application procedure follow below.
General criteria
The SP Cilliers bursary is a departmental bursary for students enrolled in its Honours programmes (Sociology and/or Social Anthropology). It is intended to support students who have demonstrated academic ability, i.e. meet the general admissions criteria for the programme, but are struggling financially and need financial support to be able to pursue fulltime studies at Honours level.
Additional considerations
In awarding the bursary, the Department recognises as a basic point of departure that historical disadvantage in the form of institutionalised racial discrimination in South Africa before 1994 is frequently, but not automatically nor exclusively, linked to current economic disadvantage.
Students who are not South African citizens and meet the general criteria are eligible to apply.
The Department reserves the right not to make an award in any given year.
Selection panel
The selection panel comprises the Department Chairperson and the Honours convenors for Sociology and Social Anthropology, reporting to the Department’s regular staff meeting. The decision of the Department is final.
The Department reserves the right not to make an award in any one year, should funds be insufficient and/or no suitable applications be received.
The application process
Students who wish to be considered must submit an application consisting of 1) a motivation, 2) a financial disclosure statement (sworn avadavat) and 3) at least two references from reputable persons. The selection panel may decide to interview applicants as well.
Submissions may be handed in at the Department office, room 424, LSW-Gebou, or e-mailed to the Departmental Student Officer, Ms Genay Dhelminie (genay@sun.ac.za). Students are responsible for keeping copies of all their submissions.
Late applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, upon motivation to the Department Chairperson by the applicant.
1) Motivation
Applicants must write a motivation of between one and two typed pages (up to a thousand words) in which they set out why they think they should be considered for an SP Cilliers Honours Bursary, taking note of the general criteria and additional considerations for the award of the bursary.
In the motivation they should discuss their interest in doing an Honours degree in either Sociology or Social Anthropology in the Department, and give relevant information concerning their financial circumstances, including that of their family or sponsors if they are financially dependent on them.
Applicants are free to attach any supporting documentation they consider relevant to their application, at their discretion, but are advised to keep supporting documentation to a minimum.
2) Financial disclosure statement
Applicants must include a brief financial disclosure statement in which they list other sources of funding or potential funding for their studies, including paid work, sponsorships, student assistantships and other bursaries or scholarships that they have been awarded or have applied for.
It is possible to hold the SP Cilliers Bursary with other sources of financial support, including other bursaries and scholarships, depending on the amounts and the specific conditions involved in each case. However, the Department requires full disclosure of other sources of financial support to award a SP Cilliers Bursary. Failure to meet this requirement may result in an applicant’s eligibility for the bursary being revoked.
3) References
Applicants must arrange for reference letters to be sent to the Department from at least two reputable persons who know them well and can attest to their personal qualities and financial circumstances. (Note that these are not academic references, as the Department will already have the necessary information on applicants’ academic performance.)
Applicants should endeavour to get their referees to submit their letters to the Department directly, by the submission deadline. Applicants must also provide contact details for their referees with their application (telephone numbers, postal address, e-mail address where available) for follow-up by the Department if necessary.
Referees’ letters should preferably be e-mailed to genay@sun.ac.za or faxed to the Department at 021 808 2143 or posted to: The Chairperson, Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602.
Payment of the bursary
Payment of the bursary is done in accordance with Stellenbosch University’s financial systems and procedures for managing grants for postgraduate studies from departmental funds.
Payment is made directly into students’ Stellenbosch University accounts; if there is a balance after all debits have been settled, funds can be paid into the student’s personal bank account if requested.
Revoking the bursary
The Department reserves the right to revoke the bursary if a recipient fails to perform satisfactorily during the course of his/her studies (by maintaining an average of 60% or higher and completing the programme timeously) and/or abandons his/her studies and/or is found guilty of a serious disciplinary charge and/or misrepresents his/her financial position. Any action taken by the Department in this regard will be in accordance with Stellenbosch University policies and procedures.