Computer Science Masters

• What does the course entail?
• How do I apply?
• What about part-time/foreign students?
• What about the costs and financial support?

If you have other specific questions, please feel free to contact our post-graduate coordinator, Jaco Geldenhuys.

What does the course entail?

The Masters degree we offer is a two-year course based primarily on thesis work. The goal is to teach students how to evaluate and conduct world-class research, and become a master in their field! While the work is not required to be original cutting-edge research, it often is.

The reading, writing and critical thinking skills acquired during the Masters degree are also much sought-after in industry, and most of our Masters graduates who do not carry on with a Doctoral degree, go on to have successful careers in the local industry and also abroad.

How do I apply?

There are four important steps:

1. You will need a staff member to supervise your Masters thesis. Browse through our Research pages and read more about the kind of work we do. Hint: also look at our staff’s publications to get an idea of the kind of topics they are interested in.
2. If you have found an area of our research that interests you, contact the responsible staff member to discuss potential topics. It is not essential to agree on a specific topic at this stage, but it is very important to obtain the staff member’s agreement to be your supervisor. If at all possible, make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting.
3. Once you have identified and agreed with a suitable supervisor, write an email to the postgraduate coordinator ( () to check that you fulfil all the requirements for the Masters programme. Mention the staff member who has agreed to supervise your thesis and include transcripts of your academic qualifications.
4. Fill out a formal application form. If you have access to the internet (if you are reading this, you probably do), you can find the form and details about how to complete it on the Science Faculty website under the “For prospective students / Application forms” heading.

The closing date for applications is around 28 February (but please check the Science Faculty site for the specific date). Also, international students should note that the closing date for their applications is around 30 September (but once again, check the Science Faculty site for the official deadline).

What about part-time/foreign students?

The university allows students to enter as part-time students. The Masters degree then extends over three to four years. Generally speaking, this is much harder and requires self-discipline and dedication, but in our experience students with jobs tend to be more focused and consequently more successful.

We also welcome applications from foreign students. In addition to the four steps mentioned above, it is critical that you contact the university’s International Office for administrative details about studying at Stellenbosch.

What about the costs and financial support?

Computer Science does not offer any direct support for students, but the university as a whole does, and of course there are many external bursaries available. The university’s portal for prospective students is a good source of information about such bursaries and up-to-date details about tuition fees. (International students should also have a look at the “Prospective students” section of the International Office website.)

Most of our undergraduate courses require teaching assistants and we expect Masters students who have completed them to get involved with at least one such course. While it will not provide enough to support your studies, these positions can provide some supplemental income. But more than this: becoming a teaching assistant is not only a wonderful way to help the next generation of Computer Science students with their studies, but also a great opportunity to consolidate your own knowledge!

Some supervisors also have research funds available to support Masters students, but once again it may not necessarily provide enough income to cover all your expenses. Note that you cannot rely on this and must talk directly to the supervisor about this option.