Postgraduate Studies​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Department of Modern Foreign Languages

The Department of Modern Foreign Languages at Stellenbosch University is one of the largest residential university departments for foreign language learning in South Africa. At postgraduate level, we offer exciting and varied programmes in Chinese, French and German, all of which are combined with possibilities to spend time abroad.

We believe that the limits of our world are determined only by the limits of our language and that the study of literature can serve as a guide to discover and explore new territories and give meaning to our increasingly complex lives.

Some of our postgraduate programmes, such as the Postgraduate Diploma and MA in Technology for Language Learning, the Honours programme in Chinese and the double MA in German with Leipzig University are quite unique to our Department. The PhD in Comparative Literature is offered by several language departments, on their own or in collaboration with each other. This is also a distinctive offering in our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.​

areas of specialisation include - ​

​Chinese

The BAHons is a one-year programme presented in Chinese and designed to deepen students' knowledge of Chinese language and culture. In order to achieve the goal, the programme requires that students spend one semester at Renmin University in Beijing, China. Bursaries and scholarships are made available by the Chinese Government for further studies in China. ​

Comparative literature

The doctoral programme consists of an independent dissertation in the multidisciplinary field of comparative literature in collaboration with the Departments of Afrikaans and Dutch, Ancient Studies, African Languages and English. The student decides on a research topic in consultation with the Department in which supervision will mainly take place. Sources are read in the original language of publication and the dissertation is written in Afrikaans or in English.​

French

The one-year, BAHons coursework programme is presented in French and is designed to diversify and to deepen students' knowledge of French literature and to further the acquisition of relevant research methodology. Themes include myth and modernity, literature and society, gender and film studies. An introductory module in translation equips students to use French as a professional tool whereas regular seminars develop a variety of competencies, such as stylistics and phonetics. Bursaries are made available by the French Government for further studies and/or training in France.

The one-year MA programme entails the writing of a thesis in French on a topic that is selected by the student in close consultation with the Department. Students maintain contact with the supervisor by means of regular meetings or e-mail.

The doctoral programme requires at least two years of research resulting in a dissertation (with an oral defence). In close consultation with the Department, the student selects a research topic and submits a research proposal which meets the requirements set by the Faculty.

German

The doctoral programme takes at least two years of research resulting in a dissertation (with an oral defence). In close consultation with the Department, the student selects a research topic and submits a research proposal as required by the Faculty. Bursaries are available from DAAD.
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POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS​