Journalism
Welkom by Universiteit Stellenbosch

Information: Applications for the Master's in Journalism 2017

​​​​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​.​