Yearbooks

2025

• 2016
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• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

Also consult the General Academic Regulations G30 – G41 and Faculty regulations.

There will only be an intake of new students every second year. 

It remains the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the degree they wish to apply for, will indeed be presented. 

A coursework master’s degree requires a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, and in some cases demonstration of the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts for professional practice. 

The coursework master’s degree curriculum consists of compulsory core and elective theoretical modules (90 credits) as well as a mini-dissertation (90 credits).

The curriculum consists of four compulsory core modules (NLB800, NLB810, WLS810 and WLS811 for 20, 20, 20 and 15 credits, respectively) and a choice of one of two elective modules (WLS812 or WLS813 for 15 credits each), as well as a mini-dissertation (90 credits). In addition, students are also permitted to elect any other appropriate module on 800 level to the value of 15 credits (instead of choosing one of the two electives offered in the programme), approved by the head of department. Students should also register for (and pass) the module Research methodology (VRM 813) (non-credit-bearing). 

The first year is dedicated to coursework modules whilst the second year is dedicated to the research work.

Also consult the General Academic Regulations G35 - G38.

1. Each module will require a certain amount of contact sessions and the rest may be online. The detail of the contact sessions for each module is published in the study guides.
2. A minimum number of students could be set (as per discretion of the module coordinator) for the presentation of any given module. When the required minimum number of students for a certain module is not reached, the module will not be presented in that academic year but will be offered again in the following academic year. For some modules a maximum number of students who can enrol might be set. The details for each module are published in the study guides. 
3. Students are required to confirm whether a module will be presented in any particular year. This enquiry should be directed to the Faculty PG Student Administration co-ordinator according to the syllabi information provided in the list of modules in this yearbook.

1. BVSc (or equivalent) degree or relevant four-year BScAgric degree or relevant BSc honours degree or relevant postgraduate diploma (on NQF level 8)
2. An admissions examination may be required
3. The candidate may be required to submit proof of experience in their selected field of study

* There will not be an intake of new students for this degree every year. It remains the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the degree they wish to apply for will indeed be offered. Please contact the Faculty for more information.

In cases where web based/online modules are offered, basic computer skills are required in order to successfully participate in the degree programme.

The programme is limited to minimum of 4 students and maximum of 12 students for enrolment and due to the increasing interest in the programme, all applicants will be subjected to an entry test.

All international applicants whose first language is not English may be required to pass a proficiency test in English (TOEFL). Application and more information at www.ets.org/toefl.

Postgraduate applicants who have completed any foreign qualification must have all their previous post- school qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) before applying for postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria:  www.saqa.org.za.

International requirements

International students have to ensure they are aware of all aspects pertaining to them to study at the University of Pretoria which can be found at www.up.ac.za/isd. 

The MSc coursework degree is conferred by virtue of the successful completion of examinations on the coursework modules and a mini-dissertation.

The Faculty does make provision for supplementary and special examinations as per General Academic Regulations G37.4 and G37.5. 

For the coursework, a minimum examination mark of 50% is required in each of the modules where a semester or year mark is not required. However, where a semester or year mark is required, the latter will contribute 50% to the final mark. A subminimum of 40% is required in the examination and a final mark of at least 50 % to pass the module. Instructions regarding requirements for semester, year or examination marks are published in the study guides, for the specific attention of candidates.

The following also applies to the coursework modules:

1. Failure of certain basic core modules (NLB 810, NLB 800, WLS 810 and WLS 811) in the 1st semester of the 1st year will lead to the student not being able to proceed with other modules and the student will have to repeat the modules when they are offered again (Note: The 1st year of entry is every 2 years). This is stipulated in the study guide of each of the modules.
2. These students will be offered a special examination if they meet the minimum requirements, and an additional extra-ordinary examination if they meet the requirements stipulated in the study guide.
3. If the student successfully completed VRM 813 in year 1, he/she may continue with the research project in year 2.

Examinations and pass requirements related to mini-dissertations
Also consult the General Academic Regulation G39 for Preparation and submission of dissertation, Technical editing of the dissertation, Evaluation of the dissertation, Appointment of the examination panel, Criteria for evaluation, Examiners’ reports, Finalisation of reports.

A mini-dissertation is submitted to the Head: Student Administration, before the closing date for the relevant graduation ceremonies as announced annually (i.e. 31 October or 31 March to qualify for the Autumn or Spring graduation, respectively), after permission is granted by the supervisor and co-supervisor(s). (Also consult the General Academic Regulation G39 with regard to the submission and technical editing of the thesis).

If a mini-dissertation is submitted after the due date specified above, the student takes the risk that the examination of the dissertation may be delayed and the student will not be considered for the graduation concerned. A student will only be allowed to graduate if the student has successfully complied with all the requirements for the particular programme.

The dissertation will be examined by one internal and one external examiner as stipulated by the UP regulations. The average mark of the two separate marks awarded by the examiners constitutes the final mark for the mini-dissertation. 

The minimum pass mark is 50%. The Dean, on the recommendation of the relevant head of the department, may permit a candidate who has failed, to submit an amended mini-dissertation for final adjudication.

Compliance with degree requirements and degree privileges 
Also consult the General Academic Regulations G40.

1. A coursework master’s degree, will be conferred on a student only after the successful completion of every requirement of each component of the relevant degree programme, including the achievement of a pass mark for each of the prescribed coursework modules, the submission and successful evaluation of the mini-dissertation or other research-relevant output, and compliance with all the requirements for the particular programme. 
2. A coursework master’s degree is not deemed to be completed if the electronic version of the mini-dissertation has not been submitted to the relevant faculty administration prior to the date of closure of the graduation/finalist list for the forthcoming graduation ceremony.
3. No one is entitled to any privileges pertaining to a coursework master’s degree before the qualification has been conferred on him or her at a graduation ceremony. In respect of professional registrations, faculties may issue confirmation letters to the relevant professional bodies prior to the graduation ceremonies.

Also consult the General Academic Regulation G39.

The coursework master’s degree consists of coursework modules as well as a mini-dissertation which is divided equally between the research and coursework as 90 credits each. 

In addition to the coursework modules, students should also register for (and pass) the module Research methodology (VRM 813) (non-credit-bearing).

It should be emphasized that a mini-dissertation is not a complete research-based master’s dissertation and is of limited scope and extent. The content should cover enough work for a case report or short communication. The basic requirements and Faculty expectations of a coursework master’s degree mini-dissertation are: 

1. The student should show the ability to undertake a research project and write up the project.
2. The student does not need to make an original contribution to science, but still show the ability to do research.
3. Please note that explicit hypothesis-testing, i.e. experimental work is not necessarily mandatory.

Candidates must submit a mini-dissertation which deals with an applied field of study. The topic is determined in consultation with the supervisor and the relevant head of department, and must be approved according to Faculty guidelines. The mini-dissertation is based on an applied research project or related research projects which need not be original), planned and reported by the candidate. Assistance with statistical processing, applied specialised procedures, etc. is allowed, but must be acknowledged.

Research undertaken is conducted in accordance with the University’s Code of ethics for scholarly activities. All research proposals must be submitted for ethics clearance/approval/exemption to the relevant faculty research and/or research ethics committee. Faculty research ethics committees have the authority to consider and approve or reject research proposals within the guidelines of the general policy.

Retention and preservation of research data
Also consult the General Academic Regulations G39.

The data generated through the research conducted must be managed in accordance with the University of Pretoria’s Research Data Management policy and the related Research Data Management procedure.

Non-disclosure of the contents of a study (Embargo): Where part or all of the contents of the master’s study must remain confidential, the supervisor will be required to submit an application in writing to Faculty Postgraduate and Research committee setting out the grounds for such a request and indicating the duration of the period of confidentiality. This period would normally not exceed 2 (two) years. The committee considers the application and either approves it or refers it back to the supervisor. The faculty must keep record of the decisions and the embargo, and the information must be shared with the Department of Library Services.

Qualification with distinction: A coursework master’s degree is awarded with distinction if a student meets the following requirements:

1. Obtained a weighted average of at least 75% (not rounded) in the coursework modules needed to comply with degree requirements, and
2. Obtained a final mark of 75% or above for the mini-dissertation; and
3. Completed the qualification within the maximum period allowed for master’s study, but not in less than the prescribed minimum period of one academic year. Note: the maximum allowable time is twice that of the prescribed duration time period in relation to postgraduate students who study part-time (i.e. study while working full-time).
4. In the case of a coursework master’s degree, did not fail or repeat any module during an additional examination. The result of a discontinuation of a module(s) will not be considered when calculating a qualification with distinction.