The rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.
The General Regulations (referred to as G.1-G.56) and General Rules apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of all students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations and rules as well as all faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the online yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.
1. Examinations
Also consult General Regulations and Rules.
1.1 Examination admission and pass requirements
Please note: The requirements for admission to the examination is published in the study guide and the relevant department is required to inform students of the specific requirements at the beginning of each module.
1.2 Subminima in examinations
A subminimum of 40% is required in the examination in each module. The year or semester mark of a module is obtained through continuous assessment of a student’s performance during the module. A student must satisfactorily complete the practical component of the module (if applicable). The method by which the year/semester mark will be obtained, is published in the study guide of the module.
1.3 Examinations
The examinations for first-semester modules and the first- and second-quarter modules take place in May/June, while all other examinations (second-semester modules, third- and fourth-quarter modules and year modules) take place in October/November.
The final mark for the module is a combination of the year or semester mark and the examination mark, with the proviso that a module can only be passed if a subminimum of 40% is obtained in the examination and the practical component (if applicable) of the module has been satisfactorily completed. A final mark of at least 50% is required to pass a module. The year or semester mark must fall within a range of 40%-60% and the examination mark must fall within a range of 40%-60% of the final mark. Deviations from this rule can be approved by the Dean. The formula that is used to determine the final mark will be specified in the study guide of the module.
1.4 Ancillary examinations
After completion of an examination and before the examination results are published, the examiners may decide to summon a student for an ancillary examination on particular aspects of the work in that module with a view to determining:
It is, therefore, possible that, depending on the importance a lecturer attaches to continuous evaluation, no supplementary examinations may be awarded in a certain module.
If ancillary examinations are awarded in a module, the guidelines indicating the basis for such consideration, have to be published in the study guide of the module.
1.5 Re-marking of examination papers (also consult the G. Regulations)
After an examination, departments give feedback to students about the framework that was used by the examiners during the examination. The way in which feedback is given, is determined by the departmental heads. Students may apply for re-marking of an examination paper after perusal and within 14 calendar days after commencement of lectures in the next semester. The prescribed fee has to be paid. The paper will then be re-marked by an examiner appointed by the head of the department.
1.6 Supplementary examinations
2. Special examinations in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
A student who requires a maximum of two modules and not more than 36 credits outstanding to comply with all the requirements for the degree, may be admitted by the Dean, on the recommendation of the head of department, to special examinations in modules failed, provided that this will enable him or her to comply with all the degree requirements. A student who has obtained a final mark of less than 40% in any one of the relevant modules, or who has previously been admitted to a special examination, does not qualify for this concession.
3. Academic promotion requirements
General
All students whose academic progress is not acceptable can be suspended from further studies.
4. Recognition of excellence
Criteria for eligibility
To qualify for the awards the following criteria must be met:
(a) Dean’s Merit List
The student will be considered if she/he has passed all first-time registered modules as prescribed for a programme at each year level of study for that year (minimum 140 credits per year)/88 credits for the first year of the BSc(Four-year Programme)) with a weighted average of 75%.
(b) Other achievers
The student will be considered if she/he has passed all first time registered modules as prescribed for a programme for that year (minimum 140 credits per year/88 credits for the first year of the BSc(Four-year Programme)) with a weighted average of 65%.
5. Requirements for specific modules
A candidate who:
Please note:
‘in the Grade 12 examination’ refers to the final National Senior Certificate examination.
6. Academic information management (AIM 111 and AIM 121)
It is compulsory for all new first-year students to take Academic information management modules. Please see curricula for details.
Faculty guidelines for consideration of BTech and/or MTech students to postgraduate study
Candidates who hold BTech and/or MTech degrees are required to fulfil the following conditions:
1. Honours level
The candidate must have a BTech degree with a minimum of 60% in the broad area of specialisation that the candidate wishes to pursue for an honours programme. The student will be given conditional acceptance to an honours programme, but in order to align the student’s undergraduate training with the outcomes expected of a BSc graduate, the student will be expected to undertake additional coursework at NQF level 7. The head of department concerned will be required to identify specific modules. The programme of study must be recommended by the Postgraduate Studies Committee, Faculty Board and for approval by the Subcommittee of the Senate. Confirmation of candidature will be based on the successful completion of the additional module requirements during the first year of the honours programme.
1.1 Procedure
The candidate must submit an official application form, together with a motivation, matriculation certificate, academic record and a short CV. The CV should include details of relevant work experience and, where applicable, any publications. The head of department has to identify and prescribe modules as set out in 1 above.
The application is submitted via the Faculty Postgraduate Studies Committee and the Faculty Board, to the Subcommittee of the Senate for approval.
Refer to the General Regulations.
2. Master’s level
The candidate must have a BTech degree with a minimum of 60% in the broad area of specialisation that he/she wishes to pursue for a master’s programme. The student will be given conditional acceptance to a master’s programme, but in order to align the student’s undergraduate training with the outcomes expected of a BScHons graduate, the student will be expected to undertake additional coursework at NQF levels 7 and 8. Additional coursework will be prescribed by the head of department concerned. A minimum of 70 credits at NQF level 8 will be required. The programme of study must be recommended by the Faculty Postgraduate Studies Committee, Faculty Board and for approval by the Subcommittee of the Senate. Confirmation of candidature will be based on the successfully completion of the additional module requirements during the first year of the master’s programme.
2.1 Procedure
The candidate must submit an official application form, together with a motivation, matriculation certificate, academic record and a short CV. The CV should include details of relevant work experience and, where applicable, any publications. The head of department has to identify and prescribe modules as set out in 1 above.
The application is submitted via the Faculty Postgraduate Studies Committee and the Faculty Board, to the Subcommittee of the Senate for approval.
Refer to the General Regulations.
3. Doctoral level
The candidate must have an MTech degree and have obtained at least 60% for the MTech dissertation. Since the PhD is clearly more demanding of a wider (philosophical) scientific background, the selection of candidates for the PhD degree must be stringent, and could include outside evaluation of the dissertation work by nominees selected by the head of department and recommended by the Faculty Postgraduate Studies Committee, evidence of peer-reviewed publication, appropriate work-related experience (ie in a research environment) and, where necessary, formal coursework to address shortcomings in the academic background.
3.1 Procedure
The candidate must submit an official application form, together with a motivation, academic record, a copy of the MTech dissertation and a short CV. The CV should include details of appropriate work experience and list of any publications. The head of department will submit a motivation to support the application. The application is submitted, via the Faculty Postgraduate Studies Committee and the Faculty Board, to the Subcommittee of the Senate for approval.
Refer to the General Regulations.
Senate of the University of Pretoria guidelines for Senate discretionary admissions
G.54 POLICY ON POSTGRADUATE STUDENT CASES AND THE RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
As the University has a finite capacity in most undergraduate fields (its limits have already been reached or those admitted are selected from a large number of applicants), the University’s policy on the recognition of prior learning only applies to student cases at postgraduate level (including postgraduate diplomas).
Furthermore, as the University’s strategic objective is to be an internationally recognised research university, admission to postgraduate study by means of the recognition of a prior learning pathway is the exception rather than the rule.
Senate may –
The regulation provides two alternative routes with regard to the admission of students at postgraduate level in cases where they do not comply with the prescribed requirements:
With regard to the viewpoint set out above candidates may, inter alia, be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Honours studies
In certain cases one or more external examiners may evaluate such an application.
or
Master's studies
or
Doctoral studies
or
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