Graduate Applications

We thank you for your interest in Industrial, Organisational and Labour Studies (IOLS) post-graduate programme. The internal application form (Word Document, 118Kb) to be returned to us, by 30 October for admission into the programme and information on the programmes and modules is also available on the website.

In order to assist you, we highlight the following information and deadlines:

Programme Application Deadline:

The Programme application form has to reach us by the 30 October.

Selection Criteria:

Selection is primarily on the basis of academic results. However, we also consider appropriate work experience and for some of our qualifications work experience is essential. Applicants who don’t have at least one upper second in the relevant subject in their Bachelors Degree and have no appropriate work experience have very little change of being accepted into the programme.

Non-UKZN Graduates:

Applicants who have graduated from universities other than the University of Natal are asked to also submit a complete official academic record of their undergraduate courses and any other courses they might have done (including details of marks obtained). Applicants who are currently in their final year need to ask the appropriate department to supply us with their final marks as soon as possible after the exams are complete. You are also asked to submit two referees letters from academics who have taught you. If you graduated many years ago then you could submit referees letters from recent employers.

International Applicants:

International applicants may contact Anita Carelse at +27-31-2602205 (telephone), +27-31-2602201 (fax) or in person, International Student Office, Room 447, Level 4, Shepstone Building, University of Natal (email iso1@ukzn.ac.za) for assistance with permits, costs etc.

Financial Aid:

Information and assistance on bursaries and financial aid can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office at the University. Please contact them as the Programme does not deal with financial arrangements. The person to contact is Mr Karan Naidoo, 031-2602239 (telephone); 031-2602673 (fax); in person Room 430, Level 4, Shepstone Building, University of Natal. One useful post-graduate bursary is the NRF bursary. Forms are only available from Mr Naidoo as the University has to submit the application on your behalf (but you can download them off the web). The NRF deadline is mid-January but the University has an earlier closing date, please enquire from Mr Naidoo NAIDOOK59@ukzn.ac.za). Unfortunately many of these bursaries and scholarships, including the NRF, are only available to South African nationals. The NRF website is: www.nrf.ac.za

Please start making financial arrangement now. In our experience many students leave this too late and are thus not able to take up their place in the programme as they have not secured financial assistance in time.

Accommodation:

Information and assistance can be obtained from Student Housing at the University. Again, please contact them as the programme cannot help you with accommodation information. The person to contact is Mr Sifiso Dludla, 031-2602028 (telephone); 031-2601396 (fax); in person Student Housing office, E446, Level 4, Shepstone Building, University of Natal. The office can also try to assist you with off-campus accommodation. Please discuss your requirements with them. It is particularly important for first-time applicants (ie non-UND students) who require residence accommodation to make timeous contact with Mr Dludla at the Student Housing Office. Initial allocations happen in December, thereafter allocations depend on remaining space.

Application to University of Natal:

The Programme staff will meet in early November in order to draw up a short-list. You will at that stage be notified if you have been short-listed and asked to apply directly to the University administration for admission to the University of Natal. We will pass your name and address to the appropriate faculty admission officer and she/he will send you the required forms. The Human Sciences Graduate Officer is Ms Rita de Klerk, 031-2602133 (telephone); 031-2602372 (fax), in the School of Graduate Studies, Memorial Tower Building, University of Natal. Please note that being short-listed does not guarantee admission as we have to receive official confirmation of all applicants results before we can make a final decision.

Selection Process:

Our selection process is as follows:-

Note: There will be more emphasis on good academic results for applicants to the Honours and Masters Degrees who have no appropriate work experience.

• All applicants with first class or upper-second (i.e. 68% and above) in the appropriate major are more than likely (depending on numbers) to be selected without an interview.
• Applicants for the programme Organisational Leadership are required to have appropriate work experience.
• Those applicants with appropriate work experience or with an upper second in only one semester of the final year (in the appropriate major) or with a convincing written motivation will most probably be short-listed for an interview.
• The interview will consist of a written piece of work, a presentation and a panel interview. Final selection will be on the basis of this interview.
• Interviews will be conducted in early December (as soon as we have completed processing our results). We try to make arrangements to avoid out-of-town applicants having to travel to Durban for the interview. UKZN students from other parts of the county should keep in close touch with the programme with regard to when they are leaving residence. It is in their interests to try to remain in Durban a little longer. We make every endeavour to have the interviews as soon as it is feasible.
• The staff will make a decision on your admission to the course during the first half of December and will notify you immediately by letter.
  Starting Date:

Starting Date:

The first modules usually start in late January / early February.
If there are any questions do not hesitate to contact Debby Bonnin (031-2602512, bonnin@ukzn.ac.za)
Amanda Kinners (031-2601097, kinnersa@ukzn.ac.za); or fax 031-2602347.