Prospective Students

Interested in a Rhodes Geology BSc degree?
Students who are interested in taking a Geology degree do not require any specific prerequisite courses at school, although a solid background in the physical natural sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, maths) is helpful. As long as you can be accepted into the Faculty of Science at Rhodes (see also the Faculty website for more information on that), you may then choose to enrol in the Geology courses offered (you do not require our permission in advance). Application information and forms can be found on the university website, and applications must be submitted to the Rhodes University Registrar directly (and not to the Geology Department).

Interested in a Rhodes Geology Honours degree?
Students with a 3 year BSc degree from Rhodes, or an equivalent degree from another institution, may apply for a one-year Honours degree. At Rhodes, as at most South African universities, an average mark of at least 60% in your undergraduate geology courses is used as a general guideline for eligibility for Honours. Application forms are available from the university website, and must be submitted (along with the application fee and academic transcripts) to the university registrar’s office before October 31. Although it may not be officially required, a curriculum vitae would be a useful addition to your application, especially if you are not applying directly from your BSc year. Note that the Department caps the number of Honours acceptances at 12 students per year, limited by logistical considerations such as microscope access, project supervision, etc. Final decisions regarding acceptance will be made in November, although late applications may also be considered.

Interested in the Rhodes Exploration or Economic Geology MSc Programme?
The MSc programme is an intensive one year coursework plus field and laboratory course (available both for full and part-time students, as well as delegates who wish to enrol in specific one-week modules). The Exploration course involves the production of a dissertation based on the published literature, while an Economic Geology M.Sc. involves less coursework and the production of a small original research thesis.

Minimum nominal requirements for the two programmes are as follows:
• MSc Exploration Geology: Geology Honours degree + 3 years exploration work  
   experience
• MSc Economic Geology: Geology Honours degree

Note that eligibility for the programme does not mean you will automatically be accepted for it. There are a limited number of places available annually for full time students in the programme. Please see the MSc Programme website, or contact the Office Administrator (Mrs Goddard) for further information.

Interested in a research MSc, PhD or post-doctoral work?

All of the departmental faculty, as well as one or two of our research staff, are involved in research programmes, and are potentially interested in supervising postgraduate research students. Their willingness and ability to do so depends on the current status of ongoing or proposed projects, and on your qualifications and interests. Applications for postgraduate research can be found on the university website, but interested candidates should contact prospective supervisors, or the department, beforehand. See the staff pages for more information on research interests and projects.

Bursary sponsorship

See the bursary page for a non-comprehensive list of some available bursaries.