Overview

The concern about the availability of fresh water to meet the needs of future generations in South Africa has significantly increased owing to increased population demands, prolonged drought and the threat of long-term climate change.

In South Africa, surface water resources are nearly 100% allocated, but only between a quarter and a half of our groundwater resources are utilized. Quantification of the important role groundwater plays in the overall water budget and water management strategies in water-stressed areas is, thus, crucial for future food security and sustained economic growth in the country.

Groundwater occurrences in South Africa are characterised by a large variety of geological structures and settings, and are located in different climatic regions that condition the regional hydrogeological settings, all of which must be understood in order to maximize sustainable future utilization.

The main objectives of this programme are to:

• increase the scale and focus of groundwater research to promote an environmentally sustainable use of groundwater, including in mining and irrigation areas;
• build capacity among the South African groundwater professionals by providing both high quality postgraduate and post-doctoral training environments and short bridging courses for professionals working in the water sector; and
• establish the School as a point of interaction among higher education institutions, government, industry and the private sector in the country in the groundwater sector.

Curriculum

A Master of Science (MSc) in Hydrogeology by Course Work and Research Report involving 4 core courses and 2 elective courses can be completed either full time (one year) or part time (2 years).

Core courses:

• GEOL7029 Hydrological Processes
• GEOL7022 Hydrogeochemistry
• GEOL7023 Environmental Isotopes
• GEOL7024 Physical Hydrogeology

Elective courses:

• GEOL7027 Contaminant Hydrogeology
• GEOL7025 Hydrogeophysics
• GEOL7026 Geochemical Toolbox for Hydrology
• GEOL7030 Water Resources Management
• GEOL7031 Applied Structural Geology

The selection of elective courses needs approval by the programme coordinator.

GEOL7028   Research Report (Full Time)
or GEOL 7051 Research Report Part 1 (Part-time year 1), GEOL7052 Research Report Part 2 (Part-time year 2)

Full-time applicants should register for 4 core courses, 2 elective courses and Research Report (Geol7028).

Part-time students should register for 4 courses and Research Report Part 1 (GEOL7051) in year 1 and for the remaining two courses and Research Report Part 2 (GEOL7052) in year 2.

Each course is worth 15 credits within the HEQSF framework. Candidates are required to complete 90 credits by course work and 90 credits via the research project (180 credits)

Entry Requirements

Applicants for this programme must have a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree (4 years) in Geology and Hydrogeology.

The course is limited to 10 students. Acceptance into certain courses may be restricted to applicants with relevant undergraduate course credits and field experience

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.