The Faculty of Military Science at Stellenbosch University holds a unique position as South Africa’s sole institution dedicated exclusively to higher education in the military field.
Our interdisciplinary faculty comprises five schools specialising in key areas such as technology, management, strategy and human development. This comprehensive approach positions us as a leading hub for African military education, fostering local and global partnerships and driving innovative research.
Our programmes:
Our undergraduate programmes focus on national security and defence issues, including strategic studies, military history, international relations, and defence management. These programmes aim to enhance the professional development of military officers and other defence professionals.
In postgraduate studies, we offer honours, master’s, and PhD programmes that utilise state-of-the-art resources for education and training. The PhD programme in military science is open to both civilian and military scholars, in any field covered by the five schools. Important niche research areas of expertise include (military) history, psychology, strategy, geoscience and law, as well as mathematics, nuclear physics, maritime security and cyber strategy.
Our distinguishing features:
The faculty is the only one of its kind in South Africa and educates personnel, principally junior officers, for South Africa's defence department. It is both part of Stellenbosch University and serves the Department of Defence.
The academy at Saldanha resembles a military university and prides itself on quality degree programmes and research profiles.
Our departments
Being interdisciplinary the Faculty has five schools:
- Security and Africa Studies
- Geospatial Studies and Information Systems
- Human and Organisational Development
- Science and Technology
- Public and Defence Management
Each school is home to several departments and programmes.
Our research
The faculty is home to two dedicated research bodies, The Centre for Military Studies (CEMIS) and the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (Sigla).
CEMIS advances research in defence and security, addressing critical priorities for the Department of Defence.
SIGLA develops governance and leadership solutions suited to Africa’s complex security landscape.
Our programmes:
Certificate programmes
- Preparatory Certificate in Military Studies (PCMS)
- Higher Certificate in Military Studies (HCMS)
- HCMS in Human and Organisation Development
- HCMS in Organisation and Resource Management
- HCMS in Security and Africa Studies
- HCMS in Military Technology
Undergraduate programmes
- BMil in Human and Organisation Development
- BMil in Organisation and Resource Management
- BMil in Defence Intelligence Studies
- BMil in Security and Africa Studies
- BMil in Technology
- BMil in Technology and Defence Management
Postgraduate programmes
- Postgraduate Diploma in Defence Studies (PGDip Defence Studies)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Military Legal Studies (PGDip Military Law)
- Bachelor of Military Science with Honours (BMilHons)
- BMilHons in Industrial Psychology
- BMilHons in Military Geography
- BMilHons in Military History
- BMilHons in Military Management
- BMilHons in Organisation and Resource Management
- BMilHons in Public and Development Management...