THE B.A. HONOURS PROGRAMME IN AFRICAN LANGUAGES
Students who had a African language as one of their full majors at undergraduate level may apply for admission to the Honours programme. This programme allows students to study African languages at an advanced level. Sub-diciplines covered may vary somewhat from year to year but typically include one or more genres of literature, linguistics (both structural aspects, semantics and sociolinguistics), communication in various contexts (including mass communication) and language teaching and learning.
Students may complete the Honours programme in either one or two years. In all cases, tuition is in person and on campus, and students are required to – in addition to their classes – attend departmental seminars, talks and training relevant to the study of African languages. Note that classes typically commence in the first week of February, and that the first week of classes for the year takes the form of a week-long, full-day orientation and information event.
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THE MASTERS PROGRAMME IN AFRICAN LANGUAGES
Students with a suitable Honours degree can apply for the Masters programme.
Students choose one of three programme structures:
- Full thesis. Students do independent research and write a thesis on a relevant aspect of one or more African languages, which is submitted at the end of the first or second year of study.
- 50% thesis. Students start off their Masters with coursework, after which they do independent research and submit a thesis (more limited in scope than a full thesis) on a specific research topic in literature, linguistics, language teaching or communication.
- Research essay. Students complete a substantial amount of coursework after which they write an extended research essay on one of the topics covered during the coursework. [This option is not necessarily offered every year. Please contact the Department before applying for admission.]
Students may complete the MA programme in either one or two years. Where coursework is involved, tuition is offered in a hybrid format. Note that classes typically commence in the first week of February, and that the first week of classes for the year takes the form of a week-long, full-day orientation and information event. Attendance of this event is compulsory also for those students who choose the 100% thesis structure. We encourage our prospective students to peruse our research themes.
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PhD IN AFRICAN LANGUAGES
Students with a suitable Master's degree can apply for the PhD programme. Prospective students are advised to have a look at our Department’s research themes to establish if their planned research project aligns with the Department’s research foci. PhD students are either full-time and on campus, or part-time and off-campus. Typically, successful applicants will be advised to register as a preparatory student for one year to allow sufficient time for their research proposal to be written and approved, after which they register for the PhD for a minimum of two years.
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