pgstudies
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Department of History

Our programmes equip students with in-depth knowledge about the interplay between past and present. The present did not come about by accident, but has been shaped by complex processes. We explore both the nature and construction of these processes.

The aim of our programmes is to establish a link between the present and the past by noting how current trends developed over time. An attempt is made to scrutinise general views about the past in a well-grounded, critical way. We encourage students to further develop their own research interests from one of the focal areas given below under the individual guidance of one of our lecturers.

Focal areas

  • Historical dimensions in the development of community identity in Southern Africa
  • Environmental history
  • Human-Animal history
  • War and society 
  • Water history
  • Historical perspectives on sex in South Africa​
  • Ethnic identity and African Cultural history 
  • Southern African political history
  • Liberation struggles in southern Africa​

The BAHons is a coursework programme running over one year and offering the following modules:
  • Theory in historical writing
  • Historical methodology
  • Historiography
  • Southern African history
  • Assignment (Theoretical / South African History)​​

The Master's programme, following on the Honours one, consists of research and the writing of a thesis. It takes at least two years to complete. ​

This PhD programme entails research culminating in the writing of a dissertation. It takes three or four years to complete.​


POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS​

 HONOURS DEGREES  MASTER'S ​DEGREES​​​
 DOCTORAL DEGREES


Application Process