Start main page content

Information for MSc and PhD students

Karen Smit holding a deep earth diamond

Application Procedures

You must have a clear idea of what subject area you intend to pursue for your research. Ideally, you should be able to clearly state in as much detail as possible, the type of research project you are interested in. You should then:

  • check the website to identify those staff members whose research interests match best with yours
  • contact these individuals by email to determine if one or more of them would be prepared to serve as the supervisor for your degree programme
  • include as a minimum, your c.v., certified copies of your academic records and a statement of your specific research interests that will form the basis for your thesis or dissertation
  • state whether you intend to pursue your post-graduate degree on a full-time or part-time basis. If your intention is to study part-time, while employed, you must provide acknowledgement from your employers that they support your intentions to study while working.

At least two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic and other scholarly proficiency should also be secured and supplied with your inquiries and applications.

International students

Please apply for SAQA Evaluation if you hold a foreign qualification, and check Wits' International Students website. 

Financial Information

Much of the research carried out in geoscience is costly because there may be fieldwork or analytical expenses. Therefore, financial considerations are crucial to your application, and you must specify if you intend to fund your own degree programme, the extent to which you have sought external funding, and whether or not you are hoping for financial support from your potential supervisors. Supervisors will endeavour to assist in raising expenses for the project itself, but cannot guarantee either this, or being able to assist with fees and living expenses. South African applicants can, and should, apply for bursaries from a variety of sources (National Research Foundation, etc.), however, these only cover fees and a small monthly stipend (see NRF website for student support). The University also provides Merit Awards (costs of fees and a small stipend) to high-achieving students. Merit Awards are available to both local and international students, and to part-time students (please refer to the University Financial Aid Office). Non-South African applicants can also apply for funding from South African agencies, but awards are generally limited to a small percentage of applicants. If you have funding for your studies from a company or other sponsor, this must be specified clearly to us.

 

Share