Programme Regulations & Provisional Admission Process

• Degree Type & Duration: This is a research-only Master’s degree (180 SAQA credits, NQF Level 9) with no formal coursework. Duration is 1–4 years (full-time) or 2–4 years (part-time).
• Provisional Admission Period: Students are provisionally admitted and given a maximum of 6 months (full-time) or 12 months (part-time) to prepare a research proposal. During this time, they will be exposed to three optional research modules (A, B, and C) in a seminar format.
• Proposal Approval Process: The research proposal must first be presented at the departmental level, and subsequently to the Faculty Research and Innovation Committee (FRIC). Only upon acceptance by FRIC will the student be formally registered to proceed with empirical research.
• Research Methodology Support: Students who scored below 60% in prior research methodology components may be required to attend special research seminars organised annually on campus for postgraduate students.
• Termination of Admission: Failure to fulfil the proposal submission conditions within the allotted time may lead to the termination of provisional admission, unless an acceptable extenuating motivation is provided (in which case, one final extension period may be granted).
• Graduation: After successful completion and examination of the dissertation, the Master’s degree will be awarded during an official graduation ceremony of CUT.

Need the Full Programme Details? Consult the Student Calendar

We know that choosing your future is a big step! While this page gives you the key highlights, the official CUT Student Calendar is your complete, authoritative guide. We highly recommend reviewing it to see full details on this programme, including admission criteria, complete module structures, assessment rules, and what to expect during your studies.