Overview
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: 31st October (each year)
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:
- A Departmental Application Form
- A Questions on Research Interests (Honours) Form
- A UCT application Form (please read the relevant information if you are a foreign student)
- A 500-750 word statement of interest, explaining why you are interested in doing the Honours degree.
- Students who have completed their degrees elsewhere are required to submit two referees reports on the departmental reference form.
- 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 Honours Course Convener, Dr Zarina Patel (zarina.patel@uct.ac.za).
Application for Masters by Coursework and Dissertation (MPhil, MSC)
Application date for degrees by course work and dissertation (MPhil, MSc) is: 31st August (each year)
This applies to both local and international applicants
- If you are interested in the MPhil Degree in Environment, Society and Sustainability, please refer to the specific webpage here.
- If you are interested in the Masters in Climate Change and Development, please refer to the specific webpage here.
- If you are interested in the Masters in Southern Urbanism, please refer to the specific webpage here.
The Department reviews postgraduate applications for dissertation Masters and PhD degrees twice a year in June for a second semester start. The deadline for these applications is the end of May of each year. For all our coursework Masters programmes, as well as dissertation Masters and PhD degrees looking to start in February, we will review applications in November. The deadline for these applications is the end of October each year.
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:
- A Departmental Application Form
- A UCT application Form (please read the relevant information if you are a foreign applicant)
- 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 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). - Copy of Honours project or equivalent writing sample
- 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).
Application for Masters or Doctoral Degrees by Dissertation (MA, MSC, PhD)
Application date for degrees by dissertation (MA, MSc, PhD) is: 31st October (each year)
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 familiarise 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.
The Department reviews postgraduate applications twice a year. For dissertation Masters and PhD degrees we will review applications in June for a second semester start. The deadline for these applications in the end of May of each year. For all our coursework Masters programmes, as well as dissertation Masters and PhD degrees looking to start in February, we will review applications in November. The deadline for these applications is the end of October each year.
Applicants should submit:
- A Departmental Application Form
- A UCT application Form (please read the relevant informatio if you are a foreign applicant)
- A 1000 word statement of research interest. This should take the form of a mini-thesis proposal
- 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.
- Letters on the departmental reference form, from two academic references who are able to speak to your academic abilities and suitability for chosen programme.
- 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).