How and When to Apply
Applications may be received by GST at any time during the year, though please note that registration with NWU will be completed by GST in November of each year for the following January. A candidate for admission to a degree programme of the School should first read the prospectus, especially the description of the courses available and the entry requirements.
M, PHD students are paired with top Tutors
Tutors
Students may wish to nominate a suitably qualified tutor in their home area, subject to this appointment being approved by the University. Otherwise, an accredited tutor will be appointed by GST/NWU and will work at a distance with the individual student. During preparation of the Research Proposal (RP) for formal submission to NWU, each student preparing for a Master’s or Doctoral submission will also be supported by a professor of the Faculty of Theology, NWU. Recently, we have found the use of e-mail, and the ‘attachment’ facility, enables students and tutors to keep in close contact. All communications are ‘copied’ to the Liaison Administrator.
Successful students receive their degrees during bi-annual convocation ceremony
Graduation
It is the normal policy of the School for all graduating students to attend a biennial Convocation Ceremony in London to receive their degree in person from the the Vice-Chancellor of North-West University or his deputy. Where this is not possible, the student must advise the GST Liaison Administrators that he/she will be unable to attend a ceremony either in the UK or South Africa and consequently request that the degree be conferred in absentia. This is only granted in exceptional circumstances.
Minimum Period of Registration
The normal period allowed for completion of each degree programme is provided in the GST prospectus. An option exists to extend the normal period, but each additional year must be applied for separately. Any student needing such an extension must first submit a request to the Liaison Administrator including details of the proposed re-arranged programme of study.
Academic Probation and Disqualification
Tutors are required to provide periodic reports on student progress. A student whose work proves to be unsatisfactory will be required to re-submit the work, or to consider withdrawing from the study programme.
All work accepted for the degree must be approved by the student’s tutors, who will demand the highest possible quality in the submitted work.
Documents required at the time of application/registration
When returning the Initial Enquiry Form (IEF), please send electronic copies of all transcripts for existing degrees. Also confirm that an existing Master’s is a research degree. This information is essential to the NWU Research Director as he decides on the appropriate degree programme to be offered.
When returning the completed NWU full Application Form (AF), individual students are reminded to enclose the following additional items:
- hard copies of the transcripts with validating signatures and seals;
- a valid ID (e.g. passport/ motor license);
- a passport size photo; and
- the Registration Fee of £200 or equivalent.
Students are reminded that they need to produce these essential documents when required to do so by Thercia van der Merwe the Liaison Administrator at NWU.
NWU does not regard a student as being fully registered until all the documentation is complete.