Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) entry requirements

To be admitted into a Master’s programme by Coursework and Dissertation at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:

• Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization.
• The applicant must satisfy the programme and specialty specific requirements as specified by the respective School/Department hosting the programme.
• The applicant may be expected to undergo an entry assessment by a panel appointed by the host School/Department, which may take one of the following methods: (1) personal interview, (2) written assessment, or (3) interview plus written assessment.

This is a professional Master’s programme and a student will spend the first three semester’s doing coursework and one final semester in a pre-selected industry or NM-AIST laboratory to solve a pre-agreed problem of the industry or community.
To be admitted into a Master’s programme by Coursework and Project at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:

• Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization and working experience in related field (as guided by relevant School) will be added advantage.
• The applicant must satisfy the programme and specialty specific requirements as specified by the respective School/Department hosting the programme.
• The applicant may be expected to undergo an entry assessment by a panel appointed by the host School/Department, which may take one of the following methods: (1) personal interview, (2) written assessment, or (3) interview plus written assessment.

To be admitted into a Master’s programme by Research and Thesis at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a GPA of at least 3.5/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization and, either:
  • Possession of a prototype that requires incubation/scaling up in line with NMAIST’s research and innovation policy and guidelines, or
  • Evidence of at least ONE-year working experience in related field and at least ONE publication in an accredited peer-reviewed journal as the FIRST author.
• Submission along with application documents, a concise ONE-page concept notes or details of a prototype of what he/she wishes to work on as part of his/her study provided it is within the NM-AIST research agenda.
• The applicant should be ready to pursue prescribed skills and capacity enhancing courses which are offered to all Master’s students at NM-AIST as common core courses and as may be recommended by the supervisors, to enhance research performance. The courses may be taken flexibly during the duration of the programme but MUST be successfully completed before graduation.

To be admitted into a PhD programme by Coursework and Dissertation at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:

• Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization.
• Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or its equivalent and at least an average of “B” in the relevant subjects or field of specialization.
• The applicant must satisfy the Programme and specialty specific requirements as specified by the respective School/Department hosting the programme.
• The applicant may be expected to undergo an entry assessment by a panel appointed by the host School/Department, which may take one of the following methods: (1) personal interview, (2) written assessment, or (3) interview plus written assessment.

To be admitted into a PhD programme by Research and Thesis at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:

• Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization.
• Possession of Master’s degree from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0.
• Demonstrate working and research experience by either producing evidence of:
  • At least TWO years working experience in related field and at least TWO publications in accredited peer-reviewed journals, being the FIRST author in ONE publication or
  • ONE publication and a patent/prototype emanating from his/her research/innovation work in line with NM-AIST’s Research and Innovation Policy, or
  • A prototype that requires incubation/scaling up in line with NM-AIST’s Research and Innovation Policy, or
  • A funded research project with a PhD training component in which the applicant is the project PI/ Co PI in a related field, or
  • Working experience (in related field) of at least FIVE years and a statement of purpose (education background, motivation for study programme, study plan and map, plan after study, honours and awards).
• Submission along with application documents, a concise TWO-page concept note or details of a prototype of what he/she wishes to work on as part of his/her study provided it is within the NM-AIST research agenda.
• The applicant may be expected to defend the concept note or prototype before a panel appointed by the host School/Department to demonstrate the candidate’s research skills and work experience.
• The applicant should be ready to pursue prescribed skills and capacity-enhancing courses that are offered to all PhD students at NM-AIST as common core courses and the supervisors may recommend as, enhancing research performance. The courses may be taken flexibly during the duration of the programme but MUST be successfully completed before graduation.