Dear Enquirer:

 

Thanks for your enquiry about our postgraduate programmes in telecommunications. There are various admission avenues, depending on your current qualification.

Occasional Student Route:

Students without a BSc (Eng.) in Electrical Engineering or its equivalent have to undergo a conversion programme of three years duration if they hold electrical engineering diplomas, or two years’ duration if holding science or non-equivalent technology first degrees. During the conversion process, they must register as occasional students, not postgraduate. For those that hold a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) accredited engineering first-degree at the HEQSF 8 level (http://www.saqa.org.za/docs/pol/2013/gfetqs_heqsf.pdf), we welcome applications straight into either the MSc (Eng.) or MEng (Telecom) programme.

Straight Master’s Degree Routes:

For your information, we have three versions of the masters’ degree (http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/handbooks/): (1) the MSc (Eng.) programme by dissertation only, (2) the MSc (Eng.) by course work (60 NQF Credits) and dissertation (120 NQF Credits), and (3) the MEng (Telecom) by course work (120 NQF Credits) and a minor dissertation (60 NQF Credits).

Master of Science in Engineering: MSc (Eng.) in Electrical Engineering with research dissertation (minimum 120 NQF Credits) and course work (minimum 60 NQF Credits) – EM024, EEE01.

Students may register for postgraduate courses and also register in the master thesis research course EEE5002W which carries 120 NQF Credits each year to conduct thesis research under the guidance of a faculty member. The master’s degree must be completed in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years. In general, a well-qualified students working very hard is expected to complete the work within 1.5 years in order to graduate before the end of the second year. A master’s research thesis is usually accompanied by a peer-reviewed publication in a journal or a good quality conference. Practising to publish early is encouraged and is important to one’s career, and many of our students have indeed been able to start publishing research results within the first year. An MSc (Eng.) candidate with a paper accepted in a good conference may apply for financial support to present the work at one regional conference during the second year of the MSc program.

Master of Science in Engineering: MSc (Eng.) in Electrical Engineering with research dissertation (minimum 180 NQF Credits) – only for Electrical or Electrical & Computer Engineering or equivalent graduates, EM023, EEE01

Students will register in the master thesis research course EEE5000W which carries 180 NQF Credits each year to conduct thesis research under the guidance of a faculty member. Course work is not required for the degree but many students will need to take some courses to prepare themselves towards thesis research. The master’s degree must be completed in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years. In general, a well-qualified students working very hard is expected to complete the work within 1.5 years in order to graduate before the end of the second year. A master research thesis is usually accompanied by a peer-reviewed publication in a journal or a good quality conference. Practising to publish early is encouraged and is important to one’s career, and many of our students have indeed been able to start publishing research results within the first year. An MSc (Eng.) candidate with paper accepted in a good conference may apply for financial support to present the work at one regional conference during the second year of the MSc program. Your research direction depends entirely on the supervisor you get and the topic you decide to work on, with your supervisor’s permission.

Master of Engineering (Telecommunications): MEng specialising in Telecommunications by coursework (minimum 120 NQF Credits) and research mini-dissertation (minimum 60 NQF Credits), EM017, EEE09

This programme resumed successfully in 2015 due to popular demand and is now on block release. Each course on the programme typically contains a lecture component of 5 full week days, followed by weekly seminars, tasks and a written examination, over a five-week period after the intensive lecture session. The programme is designed to support the largest cohort of postgraduate students, including those that cannot be resident in Cape Town for the full duration to complete all courses, by using distance learning techniques during the follow up period after the one week intensive lecture period. All students will, however, have to be present in Cape Town for the one-week lecture period for each course. For 2017 onwards, we have grouped campus-based activities closely to reduce the number of trips to and from Cape Town. We have also grouped the examinations into an examinations week in July after the last six-week course. Elements of continuous assessment (problem sets, short projects) and a written examination are utilised to assess the course. The MEng (Telecom) provides the strongest theoretical grounding for either PhD studies or higher level responsibilities in industry.

 

Doctoral Degree in Electrical Engineering

We also have a doctoral degree programme:

Doctor of Philosophy: PhD in Electrical Engineering (minimum 360 NQF Credits), ED001

Students register in the doctor of philosophy research course EEE6000W, which carries 360 NQF Credits, each year to conduct thesis research under the guidance of a faculty member. Coursework is not required for the degree and any course work the student may elect to undertake would be for self-improvement only. The student must write a research proposal and hold a PhD Seminar within six months of registration to be accepted by the Doctoral Degrees Board as a candidate for the degree. The degree must be completed within three to five years for full-time students. A doctoral research thesis is normally accompanied by a peer-reviewed publication in a journal and at least one good quality conference. Practising to publish early is expected in communications engineering and is important to one’s career, and many of our students have indeed been able to start publishing research results within the first year. A PhD candidate with a paper accepted in a good conference may apply for financial support to present the work at one international or regional conference during the second and third years of the PhD program. Most of our current and past students have comfortably met this expectation, with some publishing more than ten articles, book chapters and conference papers.

In telecommunications, supervisors are normally happy to work with you, provided you meet all UCT admission requirements. For the MSc (Eng.) by course work and the MEng (Telecom) degrees you would (in consultation with the supervisor) undertake to take at least sixty and one hundred and twenty credits, respectively, from the following courses:

 

The MSc (Eng.) by course work Curriculum:

Core Courses

1. EEE5002W Dissertation in Electrical Engineering (120 Cr.)

 

2. END5050X Master’s Journal Paper Requirement (can be met through publications)

 

3. EEE5103Z Master’s Dissertation Preparation

 

Selections from (depending on availability each year and your own needs):

 

Elective Courses		Select courses to the value of at least 60 credits
Number	EEE5032Z	Course	NQF Credits		HEQSF Level
1.			Digital Communication Systems …………………………… 20		09
2.	EEE5140Z		Software‐Defined Radio ….. ………………………………… 20		09
3.	EEE5137Z		Optical Communication Systems ………………………….	20	09
4.	EEE5121Z		Microwave Components and Antennas …………………	20	09
5.	EEE5122F		Computational Electronics I …………………………………	20	09
6.	EEE5138Z		Broadband Communication Networks …………………..	20	09
7.	EEE5139Z		Wireless Data Network Convergence ……………………… 20		09
8.	END5049Z		Research Communication & Methodology ……………… 16		09
9.	END5044F/S		Professional Communication Studies: Postgraduate ..	16	09

 

2. Any of the MEng (Telecom) options – with the approval of the supervisor

 

The MEng (Telecom) Curriculum:

 

Core Courses
Number			Course		NQF Credits		HEQSF Level
1.	EEE5004Z		Minor Dissertation ………………………………………………………….			60	09
2.	EEE5135Z		Information Theory & Error‐Control Coding ..…. ………………..			20	09
3.	EEE5136Z		Statistical Signal Theory………………………………………………………			20	09
4.	EEE5108Z		Advanced Engineering Mathematics ………………………………….			20	09
			Elective courses			60	09
Elective Courses			Total credits………………………………………			180
			Select courses to the value of at least 60 credits
Number		Course			NQF Credits		HEQSF Level
1.		EEE5032Z		Digital Communication Systems …………………………… 20			09
2.		EEE5140Z		Software‐Defined Radio ….. ………………………………… 20			09
3.		EEE5137Z		Optical Communication Systems ………………………….	20		09
4.		EEE5121Z		Microwave Components and Antennas …………………	20		09
5.		EEE5122F		Computational Electronics I ………………………………….	20		09
6.		EEE5138Z		Broadband Communication Networks ……………………	20		09
7.		EEE5139Z		Wireless Data Network Convergence ………………………………. 20			09

 

*Please note that courses EEE5033Z and EEE5034Z will meet a single 20‐credit requirement and must be taken concurrently when selected.*

Applicants with exceptional grades from strong and reputable electrical or electronic engineering programmes may be admitted into the MSc (Eng.) by research programme, which only requires registration for the following courses:

1. END5050X Master’s journal paper

 

2. EEE5000W Dissertation in Electrical Engineering

 

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Option:

All the masters in telecommunication degree elective courses are available for credit towards CPD. For relevant information, visit http://www.cpd.uct.ac.za/.

Additional Resources:

Further information on UCT postgraduate admissions and fees can be found at http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/applications/postgraduates/. The Engineering and the Built Environment Handbook is at http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/handbooks/. For the MEng (Telecom) degree, your prospective supervisor for registration purposes only is just the Programme Convenor, (Prof. Mqhele Dlodlo). Searching for a suitable supervisor before registration can be a nightmare for the rest of the programmes, though. This page gives you an overview of people’s areas of research interest: http://www.ee.uct .ac.za/staff/. Once you have settled the prospective supervisor issue, just submit your online application. The Head of Department has to approve your application. For more information on administrative issues related to postgraduate admissions and registration, please contact Ms Nicole Moodley (Nicole.Moodley@uct.ac.za) or by phoning +27 21 650 2795.

Some EBE FAQ:

I have a BSc/BSc (Hons.) degree already. Am I eligible to enrol in either the MSc (Eng.) or MEng (Telecom) degree programme?

The BSc (Eng.) degree is a professional degree for engineering students and is the principal prerequisite for admission to postgraduate studies in the Faculty. The department, however, offers a number of ways around this difficulty for graduates of other programmes.

One is a conversion programme for BSc graduates in science that can be completed in two academic years to earn the BSc (Eng.) degree first before proceeding to enrol in the MSc (Eng.) and MEng (Telecom) programmes.

Alternatively, if the holder of a BSc (Hons.) has five years of electrical engineering field experience, he/she would be required first to complete only one year of the BSc (Eng.) degree programme.

Further, on a case by case basis, the applicant may satisfy the Senate that he/she has passed the equivalent to the examinations prescribed for the degree of BSc (Eng.) at any recognised university OR that he/she has in any other manner attained a level of competence which, in the opinion of the Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty, is adequate for admission as a candidate for the degree.

Foreign qualifications go through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) (http://www.saqa.org.za/docs/webcontent/2014/ceeq_form2014.pdf) to verify their equivalence to the BSc (Eng.) degree.

Do I have to find a supervisor before I can apply for admission?

Yes, you do if you intend to enrol for a research degree, i.e. MSc (Eng.) or PhD. It is your responsibility to find a match between your interests and those of an academic member of staff and then approach that individual.

Otherwise, no, you do not in the MEng (Telecom) programme because you have the first few months after registration to find a supervisor for your minor dissertation. Prospective supervisors list their current research topics on the departmental web site for students on this programme to select from. On the application form, just list the Programme Convenor, Prof. M. E. Dlodlo, as the prospective supervisor.

Are there funding opportunities for postgraduate study?

Yes, the private sector in South Africa offers bursaries for studies related to their respective industries, and these are strictly for South Africans. Highly competitive offers for international applicants do exist. Visit the Postgraduate Centre and Funding Office web site (http://uct.ac.za/apply/funding/postgraduate/applications/). The top five MEng (Telecom) students may be awarded competitively the Ericsson Academy Bursary in the first year, with performance determining renewal in the second year of study.

Will accommodation and food be provided for the 1 week intensive MEng (Telecom) classes?

Each applicant for study at UCT is free to secure their own accommodation, including that at UCT student residences. More information is available through the Department of Student Affairs at http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/residence/life/overview/.

Do you have a schedule (time-table) of how all the block release courses will be delivered across the year? I need this information so that I see the shortest possible time to finish these courses.

Yes, for 2016, we do. We guarantee that each year we will offer at least six 20-credit courses. This enables those wishing to do so to graduate within one calendar year of enrolling in the programme. Generally, the strategy is to offer the courses within the first half of the year so that the last half is available for off-/on-campus research towards the minor dissertation.

In terms of fees structure, is payment made per course as MEng (Telecom) courses are done in series or maybe I have to pay for a minimum number of courses at a time?

UCT fees are paid once per academic year. You pay per course and then only for the courses you intend to register for in a given year. Official information on fees can be found at http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/fees/.

Is SAQA a requirement for entry into the MEng (Telecom) Programme for a foreign qualification such as University of Zimbabwe Honours in Electrical Engineering?

The South African government requires all holders of non-South African qualifications to submit those qualifications to SAQA before any local university can admit them. See http://www.saqa.org.za/.

What are the minimum admission criteria for Master of Engineering Degrees?

Minimum Admission Requirements

FMD1

A person shall not be admitted as a candidate for the degree unless he or she is proficient in English and

• holds a four year bachelor’s degree or honours degree of the University or of any other university recognised for the purpose; or

• holds an approved three year degree and (i) who has a minimum of five years’ experience relevant to the field in which he/she proposes to study, or (ii) who in addition to the standard programme requirement first completes a minimum of 144 credits of approved coursework; or

• has passed at any university or institution recognized for the purpose, such examinations as are, in the opinion of the Senate, equivalent to the examinations prescribed for a degree in terms of (a) above; or

• has in any other manner attained a level of competence which in the opinion of Senate on

the recommendation of the Faculty, is adequate for the purpose of admission as a candidate for the degree.

For further programme details, see the faculty postgraduate handbook (http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/handbooks/). You may need to look at the faculty undergraduate handbook (http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/handbooks/) as well.

Where can I get information about fees?

Click this link: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/fees/

Application Deadlines for 2016-2017

Applicants please note the following with respect to application dates:

– 2016 postgraduate application closing dates generally range from 30 September 2014 to 31 January 2016 for MSc (Eng.) by course work. Please consult the Directions for Postgraduate Applicants (http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/pg_application_guide.pdf ) for programme-specific closing dates:

Postgraduate Application Forms (2016)

Application for Postgraduate Admission in 2015 (http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/pg_application_form.pdf)

2015 Directions for Postgraduate Applicants(http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/pg_application_guide. pdf)

Postgraduate Funding Application Form (http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/pg_funding_form.pdf) – for South African applicants only

Application Fee Payment Form

Credit Card Application Fee Payment (http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/ccpaymentform.pdf) – for credit

card payment authorisation of application fees only

Submit your application as soon as possible after starting the online application process. NOTE : Supported browsers are Internet Explorer 7 and later (only in Compatibility Mode)

as well as Firefox. We encourage you to use only these supported browsers to ensure full compatibility.

 

Best regards, M. E. Dlodlo.

 

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

 

Eng. Mqhele Dlodlo, PhD

Associate Professor, Reg. Eng. (ECZ) and Prgramme Convenor, MEng (Telecom)

Isebe lezobuNjineli bezoMbani / Department of Electrical Engineering/ Departement van Elektriese Ingenieurswese IYunivesithi yaseKapa/ Universiteit van Kaapstad/ University of Cape Town

Private Bag X3

Rondebosch 7701

Phone: +27‐21‐650‐3441

Fax2Email: +27‐86‐754‐8695

 

Programme Blog: http://blogs.uct.ac.za/mengtelecom/ Departmental URL: http://www.ee.uct.ac.za

Faculty URL: http://www.ebe.uct.ac.za

UCT URL: http://www.uct.ac.za/about/welcome/isixhosa/