Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Management

The Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Management in Earth Sciences is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 2 YEARS.

Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Management offered by the Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

The MPhil in Sustainable Management comprises a thesis plus a minimum of two modules, and is presented over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). Applications close 30 September. 

Admission requirement: PGDip in Sustainable Development

Note: All students wishing to apply for the MPhil in Sustainable Development are required to complete the PGDip in Sustainable Development before starting the MPhil. No other degree or qualification will be recognised as an entry requirement to the MPhil.

The MPhil is an interdisciplinary programme. Accommodating students with qualifications in various disciplines, the course-work curriculum of the PGDip equips them with a strong academic foundation of knowledge and skills to tackle the thesis-based MPhil with confidence and with the best chance of success.

Assessment and examination

Assessment is based on the requirements for the modules plus the internal and external examination of the thesis/project/articles (see below). To pass the MPhil (Sustainable Development) degree, an average mark of 50% must be obtained for each of the electives, plus a mark of 50% for the thesis/project/articles. To pass the MPhil (Sustainable Development) degree with distinction (cum laude), an average final mark of 75% is required.

Programme content

The transdisciplinary MPhil (Sustainable Development) programme is composed of a minimum of two electives plus a research component that focuses on the planning, management and practice of sustainable development (minimum 180 credits). The research component can be a thesis, a business plan or academic journal articles (explained further below).

The following options are available:

A thesis or business plan or two journal articles (150 credits), plus two electives (15 credits each), plus attendance of a compulsory Research Methodology workshop; OR

 

A thesis or business plan or two journal articles (120 credits), plus four electives (15 credits each), plus attendance of a compulsory Research Methodology workshop.

The requirements for the research component are as follows:

Programme module

180 Sustainable Development

Thesis (150 credits)

150 Thesis: Sustainable development

Thesis (120 credits)

120 Thesis: Sustainable development

The thesis must be completed in accordance with the requirements of the University, the School of Public Leadership and the supervisor. This thesis includes participation in a compulsory Research Methodology workshop. The Research Committee will assign a supervisor plus an internal and external examiner for each candidate in accordance with available expertise and equitable distribution of the supervision load.

On written application from the student, the Programme Director may approve the following alternatives to the normal academic thesis:

• Option 1: Two academic articles in accordance with the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor.
• Option 2: A business plan for a complex capital works project or sustainable development project. For this option, students must select the Capita Selecta modules as electives (see below) and do the Intermediate and Advanced Project Management courses offered by SPL at Bellville Park.

Elective modules

Programme participants will be required to complete additional specialised elective modules. This can be done in any of the following ways:

1. A student may select any module from those listed below.
2. A student may select a module presented by any university or tertiary learning institution, including modules offered by the School of Public Leadership, as part of the MPhil in Environmental Management, or the Master’s programmes in Public and Development Management (such as Project Management or GIS).
3. A student may select a Master’s level elective in consultation with the programme leader.

15 Capita Selecta: Advanced Studies in Sustainable Development

15 Capita Selecta: Transdisciplinary Research in Sustainability Transitions

15 Renewable Energy Financing

15 Renewable Energy Policy

15 Research Dissemination

15 Research Methodology