
MPhil in Sustainable Development
Stellenbosch, South Africa
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2025
TUITION FEES
ZAR 58,901 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
The MPhil (Sustainable Development) programme is defined as a research-based MPhil and is more highly rated in the national higher education system than a 2-year coursework MPhil. Students thus graduate with a highly rated research-based Master’s degree from the University of Stellenbosch.
The School of Public Leadership offers two project management courses: a basic course called Project Management and an advanced course called Advanced Project Management. Both of these courses can be selected as electives and will be accredited under these titles.
Accreditation: A 180-credit Master’s level qualification (NQF level 9)
Ideal Students
This programme is ideal if you have an interest in shaping the future by addressing problems relating to the environment, society, and sustainability. The Programme is interdisciplinary, and you will graduate with a broad understanding of theoretical ideas underpinning sustainable development plus the ability to apply complexity theory and systems thinking in the work environment and effectively analyze and manage environmental and developmental issues with an emphasis on the South African context.
Admissions
Curriculum
There are 2 different ways in which you can approach your MPhil according to your interests and desired outcomes.
Option 1
Research component plus Two Electives Programme: a 150-credit research component (see options below) plus two electives worth 15 credits each selected from the modules on offer in the PGD programme or from any other Programme at Stellenbosch University or other learning institution on condition these have been approved by the Programme Coordinator. The Programme will consist of the following:
- Research Methodology Course, plus
- Two Electives: 15 Credits each plus
- Research Component: 150 Credits with the following options:
- Two academic journal articles in the style of a pre-determined journal and by the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±8000 words [±24 pages] per journal article). OR
- A project proposal for a given development project that must define the goal, objectives, implementation plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation mechanism by the Logical Framework Analysis project management approach (±40 000 words [±120 pages]). OR
- A traditional Thesis in the normal academic format and requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±40 000 words [±120 pages]).
- Two academic journal articles in the style of a pre-determined journal and by the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±8000 words [±24 pages] per journal article). OR
- A project proposal for a given development project that must define the goal, objectives, implementation plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation mechanism by the Logical Framework Analysis project management approach (±40 000 words [±120 pages]). OR
- A traditional Thesis in the normal academic format and requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±40 000 words [±120 pages]).
Option 2
Research component plus Four Electives Programme: a 120-credit research component (see options below) plus four electives worth 15 credits each selected from the modules on offer in the PGD programme or from any other Programme at the University of Stellenbosch or other learning institution on condition these have been approved by the Programme Coordinator. The Programme will consist of the following:
- Research Methodology Course, plus
- Four Electives: 15 Credits each plus
- Research Component: 120 Credits with the following options:
- Two academic journal articles in the style of a predetermined journal and by the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±8000 words [±24 pages]). OR
- A Project Proposal for a given development project that must define the goal, objectives, implementation plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation mechanism by the Local Framework Analysis project management approach (±20000 words [±60 pages]). OR
- A mini-thesis by the normal academic format and requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±20 000 words [±60 pages])
- Two academic journal articles in the style of a predetermined journal and by the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±8000 words [±24 pages]). OR
- A Project Proposal for a given development project that must define the goal, objectives, implementation plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation mechanism by the Local Framework Analysis project management approach (±20000 words [±60 pages]). OR
- A mini-thesis by the normal academic format and requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±20 000 words [±60 pages])
Scheduling: Candidates must submit a research proposal, written by the Departmental Guidelines for Research Proposals and acceptable to the Programme Coordinator and the Research Committee, by mid-December; for registration end February.
Supervision: The Research Committee will assign a Supervisor for each candidate by available expertise and equitable distribution of the supervision load, plus two Examiners.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
To date, graduates of the Master’s in Sustainable Development Programme have secured careers in sustainable development that span many sectors, such as
- Government: national, provincial, and local government (especially planning, development, housing, environment)
- Corporate
- Academia
- Research (universities, specialist research agencies, NGOs)
- Commercial or social entrepreneurship (agricultural sector, social development, education, housing, and renewable energy)
- International agencies (UN, NGOs, business groupings)
- Tourism
- Architecture
- Media and journalism
- Organisational development
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Banking and finance (commercial banks, development financing institutions, auditing firms)
- Environmental Law
- Mining
- Non-profit organisations
- Renewable energy
- Independent consultancy