Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering): PhD (Eng)
Admission Requirements – PhD
Students holding one of the following qualifications may be admitted to the PhD programme:
- MEng Structured
- MEng Research
- Prospective students who do not have a research-based Masters degree (i.e. where the main research project counted for less than 50% of the Masters programme), must demonstrate their ability to do research before their admission will be considered.
After the selection process, the student must normally find:
- A research topic (broadly defined)
- A promoter
- Preliminary arrangements for the facilities needed for the research.
Please note the requirements for continuing after the first year of study, given below:
Students should also consult the general rules pertaining to the relevant programme as set out in the Stellenbosch University Calendar.
Continuation beyond first year of registration:
Each PhD candidate must submit, typically within 6 to 9 months after first registration irrespective of official start date and taking into account the due dates given below, a written research proposal and an executive summary. The research proposal (typically 20-30 pages long) must contain the following:
- An extensive exposition of the literature relevant to the PhD study, as well as synthesis and evaluation of the most important themes found in the literature.
- A clear explanation of the study’s objectives, with specific reference to how it relates to previously published work, and what the expected original contribution of the study will be.
- A broad time schedule for the study, typically in terms of 4 to 10 activities and a short description of each activity’s main focus, including a Gantt chart.
- A clear explanation of the infrastructure (including software, equipment, laboratories, operating cost, etc.) that will be required to complete the study, as well as arrangements that have been made to ensure that the infrastructure will be available.
Typically two to four weeks after the candidate has submitted the research proposal, his/her suitability to continue with PhD studies is assessed by a candidacy panel, based on the following:
- The submitted research proposal.
- A presentation (20 minutes) by the candidate about the research proposal, as well as answers of the candidate to questions from the panel on the proposal and the planned research.
- The candidate’s answers to questions posed by the panel to assess the candidate’s technical expertise in the knowledge areas relevant to the research topic.
The panel makes a recommendation to the Faculty Board whether the candidate may or may not proceed with PhD studies. A PhD candidate may only continue beyond the first year of registration if the Faculty Board has approved his/her continuation within twelve months of his/her first registration in the PhD programme. An extension to this due date will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and is subject to the approval of the candidate’s home department and the Faculty Board.
Scope – PhD
For the PhD degree in Engineering, the student must normally submit a doctoral dissertation (of 3600 hours) and defend it successful during an oral examination. Study for the PhD degree usually takes at least three years on a full-time basis. The maximum time allowed for the PhD programme is four years for full-time study and seven years for part-time study. In addition to the dissertation, students must also submit at least one research paper and at least one ready for submission (by the time the examination takes place) on their research work, for publication in professional journals. The articles must be of a standard approved by the promoter.
Part-time students must have off-campus access to the Internet and e-mail. All students have to attend classes, tests and examinations on campus.
For more information relevant to International students, please visit the web site of our Postgraduate Office.
MEng Research (Mechanical or Mechatronic)
Admission Requirements – MEng Research:
Students holding one of the following qualifications may be admitted to the MEng Research programme:
- BEng
- HonsBSc
- Applicable 4-year B degree
- PG Dip in Engineering
To obtain admission to the MEng Research programme, the student must normally have completed his/her undergraduate qualification within the prescribed minimum number of years with an average of at least 60%, calculated over the whole period, as well as an average of at least 60% in the final year. However, due to the many different grading schemes used internationally, a grade of 60% from universities other than Stellenbosch will not necessarily imply acceptance.
Approval is also subject to the discretion of the Department.
In exceptional cases the Faculty Council may, on the recommendation of the Departmental Chairman, grant admission to the MEng Research to a prospective student who does not comply with the above requirements, but who has demonstrated in another way that he/she has achieved an equivalent level of competence.
It is recommended by the Department that students who wish to enrol part-time should complete the supplementary modules in the first 6 months (after 1st registration) on campus.
Scope – MEng Research:
The MEng Research is a demanding programme and usually takes two academic years of full-time study to complete. For the MEng Research (Mechanical), MEng Research (Mechatronic), a student must normally complete:
- Five supplementary 800-level modules (15 SAQA credits each), followed by
- A research thesis of 1800 hours in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Marine or Aeronautical Engineering.
The modules must include at least one postgraduate Mathematics or Applied Mathematics module, three engineering modules and the compulsory Research Methodology module.
Students must select their modules in consultation with their supervisor. At most one of the 800-level modules may be done on a self-study basis if the necessary theory for the thesis is not offered in the available modules. MEng Research students who want to attend a Renewable Energy (RE) block module in the 2nd semester should attach a motivation by supervisor to the application.
Students may apply to have modules from other departments and institutions recognized. A summary of the course content, with a clear indication of the level and scope, must be submitted for consideration at time of application.
The nature of the thesis must be that of a work of research. The thesis will be examined by the supervisor, an internal and (an) external examiner(s). Candidates who wish to graduate in December, must submit their theses typically early in September. The corresponding submission date for the March graduation ceremony is typically late November. (Please refer to Dept Study Guide for exact date)
In addition to the thesis, students must also write at least one research paper on their research work, judged by the Postgraduate Committee to be suitable for presentation at an international conference.
For more information relevant to International students, please visit the web site of our Postgraduate Office.
MEng Structured (Mechanical Engineering)
Admission Requirements – MEng
Students holding one of the following qualifications may be admitted to the MEng programme:
- BEng: 4-year degree
- HonsBSc
- Applicable 4-year B degree
- PG Dip in Engineering
To obtain admission to the MEng Structured Mechanical, students must normally have completed an undergraduate qualification within the prescribed minimum number of years with an average of at least 60%, calculated over the whole period, as well as an average of at least 60% in the final year. However, due to the many different grading schemes used internationally, a grade of 60% from universities other than Stellenbosch will not necessarily imply acceptance.
The MEng Structured is specially conceived to provide engineering skills to students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, who are motivated to make a contribution in the renewable energy field. However, prospective applicants are advised that a proven analytical background both in mathematics and physical sciences is an essential prerequisite to successfully complete this degree program. Prospective applicants applying with a PG Dip in Engineering should note that besides the minimum criteria mentioned above, an average of 65 % for Mathematics and Programming modules are required in the Undergraduate degree / diploma / advanced diploma to be accepted for the MEng Structured (Mechanical) programme. The Departmental Admissions Committee must therefore apply its discretion particularly with this in mind.
The Faculty Council may, on the recommendation of the Departmental Chairman, grant admission to the MEng Structured Mechanical to a prospective student who does not comply with the above requirements, but who has demonstrated in another way that he/she has achieved an equivalent level of competence.
Scope – MEng Structured (Mechanical Engineering)
With full-time study, students can complete the MEng Structured programme in one academic year (spanning over a period from late January to late November), and the maximum time allowed is two years. The minimum time required to complete the MEng Structured programme on a part-time basis, will depend on the student’s own progress. The maximum time allowed for part-time study in this programme is three years.
For the MEng Mechanical degree, a student must normally complete 8 modules of 16 SAQA credits each.
To view the programme outline please download it below:
Please visit the web site of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) for more information on this programme and the above mentioned modules.
Students may apply to the Postgraduate Committee for recognition of modules done at other departments or institutions. However, no recognition will be granted for modules done as part of another qualification. The Committee will assess whether each module is considered to be equivalent to a postgraduate module.
The nature of the project must be that of a high level practical application of the postgraduate coursework. Part-time students normally do their project in industry.
Part-time students must have off-campus access to the Internet and e-mail. All students have to attend classes, tests and examinations on campus.
For more information relevant to International students, please visit the web site of our Postgraduate Office.
Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
Please note the primary focus of this engineering degree is renewable and sustainable energy technology and related studies. Students who have completed this degree will have gained excellent background knowledge and some specific expert knowledge and should find themselves well positioned to secure employment or gain admission to further studies in the very exciting and rapidly national and international developing renewable energy field.
Admission Requirements – PG Dip in Engineering
Students holding one of the following qualifications may be admitted to the PG Dip in Engineering programme:
- BSc
- B Tech/ Advanced Diploma or similar NQF Level 7 qualification.
To be accepted into the Pg Dip in Engineering programme, a student must normally have completed his/her undergraduate qualification within the prescribed minimum number of years. BSc graduates must have achieved an average of at least 60% in the final year of the BSc programme. BTech/Advanced Diploma or similar NQF Level 7 qualification graduates must have achieved an average of at least 65% over the whole period, as well as an average of at least 65% in the final year.
Approval is also subject to the discretion of the Department. The Faculty Council may, on the recommendation of the Departmental Chairman, grant admission to the PG Dip in Engineering to a prospective student who does not comply with the above requirements, but who has demonstrated in another way that he/she has achieved an equivalent level of competence.
Scope – PG Diploma in Engineering
With full-time study, students can complete the PG Dip in Engineering in one academic year, and the maximum time allowed is two years. The minimum time required to complete the PG Dip in Engineering on a part-time basis, will depend on the student’s own progress. The maximum time allowed for part-time study in this programme is two years.
Please visit the web site of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) for more information
Prospective students should note that the modules offered to PG Dip in Engineering students will be revised every year, taking into account the fast changing context of renewable and sustainable energy, and the availability of experts in these fields.
Students may apply to the Postgraduate Committee for recognition of modules done at other departments or institutions. However, no recognition will be granted for modules done as part of another qualification. The Committee will assess whether each module is considered to be equivalent to a postgraduate module.
Part-time students must have off-campus access to the Internet and e-mail. All students have to attend classes, tests and examinations on campus.
Available Postgraduate Modules
- Click on the “Module Information” to learn more about the postgraduate modules and their prerequisites
- Click on the “Module Schedule” button to view the module schedule and format of the postgraduate modules
Study Guide
