The programme consists of 180 credits and it is accepted to follow on an honours degree.
Prospective students with a BA or Diploma in Journalism/Media Studies might be able to enrol after
successfully undergoing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, subject to conditions
according to the SU.
The programme focuses on various aspects of the news media in our digital information age,
with electives such as Media, Culture and the Information Society, Media Ethics, Global
Journalism/African Journalism, Media, Democracy and Development, Science and Technology
Journalism, Media Management, and Media History.
There are two compulsory modules, namely
Mass Communication Theory and Qualitative Research Methodology.
All the modules count 30
credits. The research project after the completed course work can either be a 90 credit thesis (thus
counting for 50% of the qualification) or a 60 credit research assignment.
Candidates with an Honours degree in Journalism, Media Studies, Communication, or a
related field may apply.
If you have an Honours degree in another field (e.g., Literature, or Political
Science), you also have to have 5 years’ experience as a journalist/in the field of news media.
Applications for the next year close on 31 August, click here for more information.
Please ensure that you submit all relevant documents online in order for your
application to be processed successfully. All candidates are required to write a selection test –
please see the list for dates and centres.
RPL candidates: If you do not have an honours degree but qualify to apply, you will be required to
send in a portfolio consisting of a letter of motivation, your CV and 5 examples of work
published/presented in mass communication (by 15 September) to be submitted to the RPL
committee, who will decide on which conditions you may be admitted to the MA.
For course options and modules offered, click here.
Duration of programme:
The programme consists of 180 credits. A normal study year consists of 120
credits. We do not foresee that it will be possible for a student to complete 180 credits within one
year, even studying full time towards your Master’s, and therefore recommend that modules are
completed in a structured process, especially if you do the programme part-time as a non-residential
student.
The university allows four years for a Master's to be completed. We recommend doing the
modules one by one in order to work in a structured, methodological (and successful) way. (RPL
candidates will enrol for modules subject to the SU's conditions.)
Compulsory attendance: The two seminars (January and June) are compulsory for all options.
Further personal interaction between student and supervisor depends on the student's availability
to be in Stellenbosch, otherwise it is via email/phone or even skype if necessary.
For fees go to http://www0.sun.ac.za/pgstudies/fees.html to get exact fees.
Dates for selection tests:
05 September: Media Park, Auckland Park, Johannesburg
08 September: Media24, Durban
08 September: Volksblad, Bloemfontein
08 September: Die Burger, Port Elizabeth
10 September: Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch.
All tests will be written from 09:00-12:00. Please contact Departmental Officer Ms L Newman on
lnewman@sun.ac.za or 021 808 3488 for more information.
If you have any other queries, you are most welcome to contact the Master’s Programme convenor,
Prof L Rabe, on lrabe@sun.ac.za.