Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Theology in Theology and Religious Studies is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 4 YEARS.

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology offered by Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Theology

Students who wish to register for the PhD programme must:

• be in possession of the MTh degree (thesis option) of this University with a minimum final mark of 60%, on condition that:
  • if you have enrolled for the MTh programme before 1985, you must take a preliminary examination consisting of four papers (written or oral) on the major subject group, one paper (written or oral) on each of the two supplementary subjects, and an oral examination before the Faculty of Theology; and
  • to pass the preliminary examination, you must achieve a final mark of at least 50% in each of the papers in the main subject group and achieve a final mark of at least 50% in each of the two supplementary subjects; or
• be in possession of the MTh degree (structured option) of this University with a minimum final mark of 60% and have obtained a minimum final mark of 70% in the research assignment, and have completed any relevant supplementary work that may be required, on condition that:
  • if you have enrolled for the MTh programme before 1985, you must take a preliminary examination consisting of four papers (written or oral) on the major subject group, one paper (written or oral) on each of the two supplementary subjects, and an oral examination before the Faculty of Theology; and
  • to pass the preliminary examination, you must achieve a final mark of at least 50% in each of the papers in the main subject group and achieve a final mark of at least 50% in each of the two supplementary subjects; or
• be in possession of a MDiv degree of this University with a minimum final mark of 70% and have obtained a minimum final mark of 70% in the research assignment, and have completed any relevant supplementary work that may be required; or
• be in possession of a MPhil (Religion and Culture) degree of this University with a minimum final mark of 60%, and have completed any relevant supplementary work in consultation with the discipline group concerned; or
• have achieved a level of competence in your particular field of study in some other way that Senate considers to be adequate for this purpose.

Duration of Programme

• You must be enrolled for the PhD programme for at least two years before you can report for the final examination; and
• A supervisor may, after consultation with the environment concerned, require a minimum period of six months' residence for PhD students from outside Southern Africa.

Programme Description
As candidate for the PhD degree you must submit, for Senate's approval, a dissertation which:

• deals with a subject in your main field of study;
• may only be submitted two years after the MTh degree has been obtained; or
• after you have achieved a level of competence in the specific field of study in some other way that Senate considers to be adequate for the purpose.
• After registration for the PhD, you will receive a policy document from the relevant discipline group containing clear guidelines on the responsibilities of candidates and their supervisors, regular discussions, progress reports, examination procedures, assessment criteria for dissertations and other regulations of the discipline group.
• You must deliver a report on your research at least once during a postgraduate seminar.
  
• Discipline groups report annually to the Faculty on the progress of doctoral candidates. 

Assessment and Examination
Completion and submission of your Dissertation

• When you present yourself for examination, you must:
  • hand in an electronic pdf version and at least four printed copies of the dissertation at the administrative officer of the disciplinary group concerned, either before 1 September (for the December graduation ceremony) or before 1 December (for the March graduation ceremony); or
  • hand in at least 11 printed copies of the dissertation at the administrative officer of the disciplinary group concerned, either before 1 September (for the December graduation ceremony) or before 1 December (for the March graduation ceremony).
• You do a final oral examination that deals with the dissertation. The examination is set by the Faculty Board, and the supervisor, the internal examiner and, if practically possible, the external examiners must be present.
• Where applicable and feasible, and taking into account the requirements set by the University, you are encouraged, before reporting for the examination, to submit a manuscript or manuscripts on the results of your research for publication in recognised academic journals.
• For technical guidelines on the appearance, duplication and binding of dissertations.