Program Overview

Programme: MIS

The Master's in Information Science (MIS) programme is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of information science.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• BISHons (Library Science) degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the honours degree
• BISHons (Information Science) degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the honours degree
• BISHons (Multimedia) degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the honours degree
• BISHons (Publishing) degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the honours degree
• Equivalent honours degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the honours degree
• MA (Development Communication) degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the master's degree
• Equivalent master's degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the master's degree

Additional Requirements

Refer to G31-G41 for additional requirements.

Other Programme-Specific Information

The Dean may, in exceptional cases, and on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, approve a fixed limited extension of the period of study.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

Upgrading from a Master's to a Doctoral Degree

To upgrade from a master's to a doctoral degree, students must meet the following requirements:

1. The upgrade can only be considered for exceptional students.
2. Application for upgrading can only be submitted after at least one year of study for the master's degree, but no later than two years.
3. The application for the upgrading must include:
   • A letter from the candidate requesting the upgrade, including a brief motivation.
   • A progress report prepared by the candidate and supported by the supervisor on the work completed to date for the master's degree.
   • All details regarding presentations during conferences and accepted publication(s) in internationally accredited and high-impact journals.
4. A detailed explanation by the candidate of the intended doctoral project, including objectives, methodology, and outcomes.
5. A recommendation of the supervisor, including comment on the ability of the applicant as a potential doctoral candidate and the expediency and feasibility of the upgrading.
6. A report from at least one external referent.
7. A minimum of one journal article, where the candidate is the first author, in a high-impact accredited journal, with an explanation by the supervisor regarding the specific contribution made by the candidate.
8. A recommendation by the head of department.

The stipulations of the relevant Faculty regulations are applicable.

The Dean may, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, exempt a student from the examination on the dissertation.

The average mark awarded by all the examiners is the final mark, with the pass mark being at least 50%.

Research Information

A student must, by means of a dissertation, prove that they are capable of planning, instituting, and executing a scientific investigation. Unless the Senate, on the recommendation of the supervisor, decides otherwise, a student, before or on submission of a dissertation, must submit proof issued by a recognised academic journal that an article was submitted.

The draft article should be based on the research that the student has conducted for the dissertation and be approved by the supervisor if the supervisor is not a co-author.

The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that the paper is taken through all the processes of revision and resubmission, as may be necessary.

Conferment of the degree may be made subject to compliance with the stipulations of this regulation.

Core Modules

• IMY 890: Dissertation: Multimedia 890 (Credits: 180.00)