...furthering our knowledge, understanding and management of the interactions between humans and their social, biological and physical life-support systems

Application Process

Application for the Undergraduate Degree

Students interesting in an undergraduate degree in Environmental and Geographical Science, must register through the University directly. For University application forms and information please see the UCT website.

Please click here for more information on this degree and courses offered.


Application for Entry into the Honours Programme

Application Deadline: 28th September 2012

Applications into the honours programme are considered by the specialisation streams. This requires that you the applicant, specify your first and second choices on the application form.

Applicants must submit:

  1. A Departmental Application Form
  2. A Questions on Research Interests (Honours) Form
  3. A UCT application Form (please read the relevant information if you are a foreign student)
  4. A 500-750 word statement of interest, explaining why you are interested in doing the Honours degree.
  5. Students who have completed their degrees elsewhere are required to submit two referees reports on the departmental reference form.
  6. Students who have completed their degrees within the EGS Department should list the names of two members of staff who will act as referees. EGS students should also submit a passport sized photograph with their application.

Please note, students in the Human Geography, Physical Geography, GIS and Environmental Management streams will graduate with a Honours degree in Environmental and Geographical Science.

Students in the Atmospheric Science stream will graduate with an Honours degree in Atmospheric Science.

If you have additional queries about entry into any of our postgraduate courses, please contact the Postgraduate Coordinator, Dr Pippin Anderson (pippin.anderson@uct.ac.za).

To see the timetable, please go to: Postgraduate Timetable 2012


Application for Masters by Coursework and Dissertation (MA/MSc in EGS)

Please Note: Application deadline for MPhil, MA, MSc and PhD is 17th September 2012
This applies to both Local and International Applicants

Acceptance to a postgraduate degree in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science Department is highly competitive. To be eligible to apply for a Masters degree in the Department a candidate must have the equivalent to a UCT Honours degree in Environmental and Geographical Science or a related discipline. This is a minimum of a four year degree, with a significant research component in the fourth year. If you are uncertain as to your eligibility, you would be advised to approach the South African Qualifications Association (SAQA) to review your transcripts. A SAQA score of 7 would be considered equivalent to Honours, in which case you would be eligible to apply to our Masters programmes. Please note that eligibility to apply does not constitute acceptance to the programme however.

Applicants should submit:

  1. A Departmental Application Form
  2. A UCT application Form (please read the relevant information if you are a foreign appplicant)
  3. A 1000 word statement of interest: This should focus on your research interests as it will be used to assess the match between your research interests and departmental staff. 
    Please use the departmental website to determine if your research interests fit with departmental research strengths. Prospective MA and MSc in EGS students will need also to propose a supervisor in the application enclosed so you should familiarise yourself with staff members interests (through, for instance, the departmental staff page and staff published research materials).
  4. Copy of Honours project or equivalent writing sample
  5. Two academic references on the departmental reference form.

If you have additional queries about entry into any of our postgraduate courses, please contact the Postgraduate Coordinator, Dr Pippin Anderson(pippin.anderson@uct.ac.za).

To see the timetable, please go to: Postgraduate Timetable 2012


Application for Masters or Doctoral degrees by Dissertation

Please Note: Application deadline for MPhil, MA, MSc and PhD is 17th September 2012
This applies to both Local and International Applicants

Students will only be admitted to study if an academic staff member can support their proposed research. Therefore, please use the departmental website to access information about the various research interests and staff in the department. Applicants should propose a supervisor in the application enclosed so you should familiarize yourself with staff members research to make this decision. Applicants for entry into the Masters by Dissertation programme should possess an Honours degree with excellent marks. Applicants for entry into the PhD programme should possess a Masters degree with excellent marks.

Applicants should submit:

  1. A Departmental Application Form
  2. A UCT application Form (please read the relevant informatio if you are a foreign applicant)
  3. A 1000 word statement of research interest. This should take the form of a mini-thesis proposal
  4. A writing sample:
    • Masters: preferably your Honours project/paper or a paper of equivalent academic depth
    • PhD: preferably a chapter of your masters thesis or a paper of equivalent academic depth.
  5. Letters on the departmental reference form, from two academic references who are able to speak to your academic abilities and suitability for chosen programme.
  6. All university-level transcripts (official or certified copies)

Applications are considered for Masters by Dissertation and PhDs throughout the first and second semester.

Please note that if you are accepted into the Masters and PhD by thesis programmes, you will be required within a specified period to write and present a research proposal. The Department will use this process to assess the viability of your research and its appropriateness for your degree programme. If the requirements for the proposal are not met, the Department will not allow you to continue with the degree.

If you have additional queries about entry into any of our postgraduate courses, please contact the Postgraduate Coordinator, Dr Pippin Anderson (pippin.anderson@uct.ac.za).

To see the timetable, please go to: Postgraduate Timetable 2012

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To view the FAQ section, please follow this link.
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