Application for studying Geohydrology at IGS

The Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS) can only accommodate a limited number of students per year. Due to the high number of applicants, only the best students are selected for the programme. Students are therefore selected through a competitive process by a panel of academic staff from IGS. The selection process takes place in November, after which the student will receive a letter of acceptance if he/she has met the minimum requirements for the particular qualification. Students whose final marks are not available by that time, will be put on a waiting list.

Current and Prospective Students must send a copy of their completed application, academic record, a short CV and one-page motivational letter on why they want to study Geohydrology, before 30 September 2024 to IGS-info@ufs.ac.za      

Prospective students who wish to register for the first time at this university, as well as students who interrupted their study for a period of at least one year, must apply for admission in the prescribed manner before the date determined by the university each year. This also applies to students who have applied the previous year and have been accepted, but for some or other reason did not register.

Please complete the UFS online application. If you need assistance with the online applications, please contact the following number: +27 51 401 9111 or studentadmin@ufs.ac.za 

Please take note that the completion of the application for admission does not in any way guarantee admission to the Geohydrology programmes, as it must first go through the selection process.       

BSc Honours in Geohydrology

 

Admission for the postgraduate degrees in Geohydrology is subjected to the condition that the prospective student complies with the admission requirements and that the required documents were submitted as proof. A maximum number of 38 students can be admitted to the programme and therefore the top 38 students will be selected. Students who fail a module, will only be allowed to repeat modules depending on space availability. In order for a student to be considered repeating a module, a motivation must be submitted to the IGS.

Preconditions

• A BSc, BSc (Agric), BEng, or BTech (with Geology) degree
• An average of 60% for third-year subjects of the degree
• Prerequisites

• GLG114 (Introduction to Geology); GLG124 (General Geology)
• CEM114 (Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry); CEM124/CEM144 (Physical and Organic Chemistry), and
• WTW114 (Calculus); WTW124 (Algebra and Differential Equations), or
• STK114 (Introduction to Statistics I); STK124 (Introduction to Statistics II)

Equivalent modules from other universities at the same NQF level (7) are also accepted.

MSc in Geohydrology (Module code: GEHR8900)

 

Prerequisites

• An honours degree (or a 480-credit professional bachelor’s degree) in relevant fields of the Natural Sciences, i.e. Geohydrology, Geology, Geophysics, Engineering Geology, Hydrology.
• An average of 65% for the honours modules/courses. If a student does not entirely met the admission average of 65%, the Director and Academic Manager, recommend that some concessions be made in respect of the required average. Appropriate work experience will be an added advantage.
• Additional honours modules (GEOH) may be prescribed where candidates do not have the required background in Geohydrology. You do not have to register for the honours modules, but you must attend the two-week classes, successfully complete all assignments, practical's and semester test. If a student semester mark is above 45% but under 50%, the student must write the exam. A student with a final mark below 50%, must repeat the module the following year. All MSc students who have been advised to take additional modules should regard these as minimum requirements to be passed prior to submitting the dissertation..
• Very important: We recommend that before applying for the MSc Degree, prospective students must contact an IGS supervisor to discuss your area of research interest. After consultation with a prospective supervisor a research proposal must be submitted. . We do not offer research projects therefore students must find their own projects and funding.

PhD in Geohydrology (Module code: GEHR9100)

A master's degree in Geohydrology with a 65% average for the master's degree. If a student does not entirely met the admission average of 65%, the Director and Academic Manager, recommend that some concessions be made in respect of the required average. Appropriate work experience will be an added advantage.

• Additional honours modules (GEOH) may be prescribed where candidates do not have the required background in Geohydrology. You do not have to register for the honours modules, but you must attend the two-week classes, successfully complete all assignments, practical's and semester test. If a student semester mark is above 45% but under 50%, the student must write the exam. A student with a final mark below 50%, must repeat the module the following year. All MSc students who have been advised to take additional modules should regard these as minimum requirements to be passed prior to submitting the dissertation..
• Very important: We recommend that before applying for the PhD Degree, prospective students must contact an IGS supervisor to discuss your area of research interest. After consultation with a prospective supervisor a research proposal must be submitted. . We do not offer research projects therefore students must find their own projects and funding.

We require from our MSc and PhD students to submit regular progress reports, some of which will be in the form of oral presentations. We have two compulsory contact sessions per year, therefore you will have to be prepared to travel to Bloemfontein. Students must also be prepared to present their progress at any stage. Students who are not up to standard with their progress will be de-registered.

International Students

International students must submit their certificates/degrees to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for assessment prior to applying to the UFS. The SAQA evaluation certificate, as well as certified copies of degrees/certificates, must accompany the student's application.

Please feel free to contact us if you need more information.

Programme Director
Dr Paul Lourens 
E: LourensPJH@ufs.ac.za 
T: +27 51 4012840   

Academic Head
Prof Abdon Atangana
E: AtanganaA@ufs.ac.za 
T: +27 51 4013744