Prospective Postgraduate Students

The Department of Computer Science welcomes applications from talented and motivated students interested in advancing their knowledge and research skills through postgraduate studies. We offer Honours, Master's, and Doctoral (PhD) programmes — each designed to develop your expertise and prepare you for leadership in academia or industry.

Relevant Degree

BSc for Honours, Honours/4-year BSc for MSc, MSc for PhD — in Computer Science or a related field.

Academic Excellence

Minimum GPA requirements: Honours 60%, Master's 65%, PhD 70%. Strong research potential is valued.

Research Alignment

Your research interests should align with our departmental strengths and active faculty projects.

English Proficiency

TOEFL/IELTS required for international applicants. All instruction is in English.

1

Identify Your Research Area

Review our research page and identify faculty members working in your area of interest.

2

Contact a Potential Supervisor

Reach out to faculty members to discuss potential supervision. This strengthens your application significantly.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply through the university portal with transcripts, CV, statement of research interests, references, and language test scores (if applicable).

4

Interview & Admission

An interview with potential supervisors is typically conducted. Successful applicants receive a formal offer.

First Semester End of October

Applications for the following year's first semester intake.

Second Semester End of May

Applications for mid-year intake. Subject to space availability.

Late Applications Case by Case

Late applications may be considered subject to space and supervisor availability.

Bursaries & Scholarships

Merit-based financial support through university and external scholarship programmes.

Teaching Assistantships

Earn income by assisting with undergraduate teaching and lab supervision.

Exchange & Mobility Grants

International exchange opportunities and mobility grants for research visits abroad.

Industry-Sponsored Research

Funded research projects in partnership with technology companies and organisations.

What if my GPA is below the minimum?

Strong research potential, relevant work experience, or publications can sometimes compensate. Contact the department to discuss your case.

Do I need a supervisor before applying?

We strongly encourage contacting faculty in your area of interest before applying. This ensures a good match and strengthens your application.

Can I study part-time?

Yes, most programmes offer part-time options. Honours: up to 2 years, Master's: up to 5 years. Contact the graduate office for details.

What support services are available?

Graduate students have access to office space, computing facilities, library resources, graduate seminars, research funding, conference support, and career mentoring.

Graduate Coordinator

graduate-coordinator@sun.ac.za

Department Website

cs.sun.ac.za

Visit Campus

Contact the graduate office to arrange a campus visit and meet faculty.

Ready to Begin Your Postgraduate Journey?

Visit the university's admissions portal or contact us directly to get started.