Postgraduate Information and Application Process

BA Hons in Religion Studies

As an Honours student, a student engages critically with religious thought, practices and texts from various perspectives. The degree consists of five modules of which two are compulsory (Research Essay; Method and Theory in the Study of Religion). The rest of the modules focus on a specific theme either in the study of Christianity or in the study of Islam. You can do the degree full-time in one year or part-time over two years. 

Admission requirements: The minimum requirements of admission in the programme is an average mark of 65% for a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, an undergraduate degree in Education (BEd or BA Ed), or another relevant qualification on the same level. Prospective students with no undergraduate qualification in Humanities will be required to do RPL (Recognition of Previous Learning). This applies both to prospective students with a Bachelor’s degree in another field and to prospective students with a relevant qualification from a religious seminary.

Duration: One year of full-time studies or two years of part-time studies.

For more information: Please contact Ms Charlene Louw (clouw@uj.ac.za; information on the application process) or Dr Clementine Nishimwe (cnishimwe@uj.ac.za; information on the Honours program and the modules taught) or Dr Shahid Mathee (smathee@uj.ac.za; information on the RPL process).

MA (Biblical and Christian Studies)

The MA degree in Biblical and Christian Studies is a research programme. The student conducts independent research under the guidance of a supervisor on a specific topic in the field of Biblical or Christian studies.

Admission requirements: The minimum requirement for admission in the programme is an average mark of 65% for an Honours degree in Religion Studies or an equivalent qualification in the field of Humanities, as well as the general university entrance requirements for the Master’s programme.

Duration: One to two years of full-time studies or up to three years of part-time studies.

For more information: Please contact Ms Charlene Louw (clouw@uj.ac.za; information on the application process) or Prof Elina Hankela (elinah@uj.ac.za; information on the program and supervisor availability).

MA (Semitic Languages and Cultures)

This MA programme is offered both as a research programme (where the student conducts research towards a dissertation under the guidance of a supervisor on a specific topic in the field of Semitic Languages and Cultures) and as a coursework programme (where the student both completes coursework and conducts research towards a mini dissertation).

Admission requirements: The minimum requirement for admission in the programme is an average mark of 65% for an Honours degree in Semitic Languages or Religion Studies or equivalent qualification in the field of Humanities, as well as the general university entrance requirements for the Master’s programme.

Duration: One to two years of full-time studies or up to three years of part-time studies.

For more information: Please contact Ms Charlene Louw (clouw@uj.ac.za; information on the application process) or Dr Shahid Mathee (smathee@uj.ac.za; information on the program and supervisor availability).

PhD (Biblical and Christian Studies)

The PhD programme in Biblical and Christian studies is a research programme and builds on the specialisation level reached on the Master’s level. The student conducts independent research under the guidance of a supervisor.

Admission requirements: The minimum requirement for admission in this program is a 65% mark for a Master’s degree in Biblical or Christian Studies or an equivalent qualification in the field of Humanities, as well as the general university entrance requirements for the doctoral programme.

Duration: The minimum duration of the doctoral programme is two academic years. The maximum period of registration for a doctoral programme is four years (full-time students) or five years (part-time students).

For more information: Please contact Ms Charlene Louw (clouw@uj.ac.za; information on the application process) or Prof Elina Hankela (elinah@uj.ac.za; information on the program and supervisor availability).

PhD (Study of Islam)

The PhD programme in Study of Islam is a research programme and builds on the specialisation level reached on the Master’s level. The student conducts independent research under the guidance of a supervisor.

Admission requirements: The minimum requirement for admission in this program is a 65% mark for a Master’s degree in the Study of Islam or an equivalent qualification in the field of Humanities, as well as the general university entrance requirements for the doctoral programme

Duration: The minimum duration of the doctoral programme is two academic years. The maximum period of registration for a doctoral programme is four years (full-time students) or five years (part-time students).

For more information: Please contact Ms Charlene Louw (clouw@uj.ac.za; information on the application process) or Dr Shahid Mathee (smathee@uj.ac.za; information on the program and supervisor availability).

Online application

To apply online, please visit the following website: uj.ac.za/admission-aid/postgraduate/

Information on the application process, fees and bursaries

Please contact Ms Charlene Louw (clouw@uj.ac.za).