BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONOURS)
Our Department recognises the importance of providing post-graduate courses for educators which facilitate the ability to critically engage with educational issues. This ability is a central goal of our Bachelor of Education (Honours) [BEd(Hons)] degree programme.
About the Course
Our BEd(Hons) programme has been conceptualised to explore both national and international trends in education with a view to identifying criteria against which to most effectively evaluate developments in southern African education. The degree provides a point of re-entry into both formal and informal sectors of the education profession. It is geared towards meeting the needs of experienced educators who - in light of developments taking place in education - wish to enhance their professionalism. This is consistent with the current thrust towards greater professional status and accountability in global and national thinking about teacher education.
Intended Outcome
The intended outcome of our BEd(Hons) programme, therefore, is an enhancement of practical competence through deeper insight into, and understanding of, the theoretical underpinnings of educational policy and practice. The focus is upon the development of the educator both as a reflexive practitioner and as a researcher. Such an individual would thereby develop the capacity not only to critically evaluate his/her professional environment, but also to more insightfully implement strategies for change. This applies at the level of educational practice in general, as well as within the individual educator’s area of special interest/responsibility.
The BEd(Hons) programme seeks to provide students with a basis for life-long learning, and with the necessary stepping stones to ongoing professional development at a masters, or even doctoral, level.
Degree Structure
Our BEd(Hons) is a post-graduate degree. The degree is obtained by successfully completing six courses via two years of part-time study. The six courses for the degree comprise:
YEAR ONE: Three compulsory foundation courses [Philosophy in Education, Psychology in Education, and Sociology of Education]. These are taught in an integrated way. Two core themes inform and shape the programme: Change in Education and Curriculum in Action.
YEAR TWO: Curriculum Theory, plus two elective courses [inter alia Educational Leadership & Management; English Language Teaching; Environmental Education; Information and Communications Technology; Mathematics Education; Multicultural Education; Research Methods & Interpretation; Science Education].
[Please note: Not all of our calendarised elective courses are offered in any one year of study. Much depends upon staff availability and the student interest/professional profile of any particular BEd(Hons) intake.]
Our BEd(Hons) programmes make relatively little use of a traditional lecture format. Rather, they are delivered in a learning-centred way, via seminar and workshop sessions. Each year of study comprises twenty one days of intensive tutor-student contact. These twenty-one days are divided across 5 or 6 contact sessions (each session being of three to four days’ duration). Sessions are timed to minimize the amount of time practising teachers are away from their professional obligations. Wherever possible, we use school holidays. It will, however, be necessary for students to apply for some days of study leave from their employers, as not all of the sessions can be fitted in to school holidays.
Place of Study
The programme is offered at two centres. The South African-based programme takes place in the University’s Education Department building, off Beaufort Street, Grahamstown. Our Namibian-based programme runs from the NIED Campus in Okahandja.
Please note that we start our South-African-based and Namibian-based programmes in alternate years: a new South African-based programme every even year (2010; 2012; 2014 and so on); and an new Namibian- based programme every odd year (2011; 2013; 2015 ...).
Degree Expectations
The prime demands that will be made upon you are to think creatively; analyse critically; and evaluate. We place no value on memorising of facts and recall of set arguments. As noted, we meet on only five or six formal occasions per year of study. Our programme therefore needs to be seen as operating in a semi-distance mode. This will require from you a commitment to participate actively in the learning process, working alone and in groups, sharing viewpoints and insights with fellow students, reading widely and in depth (including topics not necessarily covered in contact sessions), and the writing of a number of challenging assignments. These assignments, as well as the examinations, are not set only on insights and material received during contact sessions. They frequently require that you undertake small-scale investigations into policies and practices within your own professional context. You should apply for entry into the programme only if you are willing (and able) to make the necessary sacrifice of time to commit yourself wholeheartedly to your studies.
Entry Requirements
1. Prior qualifications
Either: A recognised Bachelor's degree and professional teacher's qualification;
Or: An equivalent four year qualification (for example, non-graduate HDE or FDE/ACE).
2. Professional experience
At least two years' classroom-based experience or equivalent work in an educational context.
3. South African applicants are required to write a PLACEMENT TEST.
For logistical reasons it is not possible for Namibian applicants to write a placement test. Instead they are required to provide a well-articulated, well-written PROFESSIONAL MOTIVATION as to why they believe they should be considered for a place on the programme. (This would include such things as what they currently contribute to Namibia’s educational reform efforts, and what they believe they would ‘take back’ to the profession upon successful completion of the programme, were they to be offered a place.)
Further specific information about these two selection mechanisms is provided in the General Information Letter provided for each intake year.
Application Procedure
If you wish to proceed with your application for the BEd(Hons) degree, please complete the application form below and return it to:
The Student Bureau
Rhodes University
P 0 Box 94
GRAHAMSTOWN 6140
South Africa
Please note: An amount of R75,00 must be submitted with the forms, unless you have been registered as a student at Rhodes University in the previous 10 years. This payment is a non-refundable administrative fee.
The following documents must be included with your application forms:
1. THE RHODES BEd HONOURS DEGREE APPLICATION FORM: Completed and signed.
2. PLACEMENT TEST REPLY SLIP (Grahamstown course): Completed indicating the test date you have chosen.
3. TRANSCRIPTS OF YOUR PREVIOUS DEGREE/DIPLOMA COURSE(s), i.e. a full academic record issued by the previous university/ universities at which you were registered. [The onus is on you to apply to your previous university and/or college for these.]
4. CERTIFIED PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR DEGREE/DIPLOMA CERTIFICATE(s);
5. APPLICATION FEE: R75.00 unless you have been previously registered as a student at Rhodes.
6. PROFESSIONAL MOTIVATION LETTER (Namibian course)
Financial Considerations
For 2011 the Tuition Fee: R9900.00 for South African students studying part-time in Grahamstown. The University has not yet set the fees for 2012 but you can estimate an increase of probably 8%. The tuition fees in 2011 are n$11,660.00 for Namibian students per year studying part-time.
Resale Fee: For 2011 for printed materials a fee of: R1800 per year for South African students studying the Foundation Year. For 2011 the Resale is R1400 per year for Namibian students. Plus a small cost-based charge for tea/coffee and catering costs.
You also need to bear in mind the expenses you may incur in relation to travel & accomodation.
For students studying part-time in Grahamstown limited accommodation is available within the University. The onus is on you to make whatever arrangements are necessary with the Rhodes Continuing Education Centre (CEC) (tel: 046 603 8901) which has good rates for students. Information about other accommodation options can be obtained from: Grahamstown Accommodation (Cell +27 (0)76 091 2764/ +27 74 148 7146. e-mail: bookings@grahamstownaccom.co.za; Website: http://grahamstownaccom.co.za) or go to the Grahamstown official website http://www.grahamstown.co.za/ which has a very comprehensive list of accommodation of all kinds and prices. (Note: The Rhodes University's Education Department does not involve itself in arranging accommodation for students.)
Namibian-based students can apply for accommodation on the NIED campus. See details re contact person and relevant contact numbers below.
Notification of Acceptance into the Programme
We will inform you of the final outcome of your application as soon as possible. To avoid any unnecessary delay in this process, please ensure that you have provided the University with a reliable postal address. For candidates whose applications are successful, our first sessions for the programme are usually scheduled for early February.
BEd(Hons) Application Form
Application Form
Application Information Letter
Further Information
For more information, please contact:
Sally-Ann Robertson (BEd(Hons) (Grahamstown) Co-ordinator)Education Department
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, 6140
Tel: 046 603-8383
Fax: 046 622-8028
Email: s.a.robertson@ru.ac.za
Robert Kraft (BEd(Hons) (Namibia) Co-ordinator)
Education Department
Rhodes University
Grahamstown 6140
South Africa
Tel: 046-603 8383
Fax: 046-622 8028
Email: r.kraft@ru.ac.za
Mrs Willemien Wannberg (Namibian-based Rhodes liaison person)
NIED
Voortrekker Street
OKAHANDJA
Tel: (+00 +264) 062 50 9000
Fax: (+00 +264) 062 502 613
Email: WWannberg@nied.edu.na
The Student Bureau
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, 6140
Tel: 046-603 8276
Fax: 046- 603 7350
Email: registrar@ru.ac.za
Website: http://www.ru.ac.za/applying
