Intro to Programmes

South Africa has a long history of excellence in astronomy, a sound high-tech infrastructure and clear skies. Researchers from around the region have joined forces to create a cooperative, combined graduate programme hosted from 3 NASSP nodes at the University of Cape Town, the University of Kwazulu Natal and North West University where students from Africa, South Africa and the rest of the world can study under the guidance of some of South Africa's leading scientists. Two degree programmes are on offer:

Honours

in Astrophysics and Space Science

The Honours Programme, which started in February 2003, is hosted at all three NASSP Nodes, University of Cape Town, University of Kwazulu Natal and North West Univesit. Lectures will be given by staff in the NASSP consortium and will cover most areas of modern astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology...

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Masters

in Astrophysics and Space Science

The programme is being hosted by all three NASSP nodes, University of Cape Town University of Kwazulu Natal and North West Univerity, Students will spend the first semester at their respctive nodes completing the taught component of the Masters. This consists of 5 NASSP courses taught by...

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Lectures are given by staff in the NASSP consortium and cover most areas of modern astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology and space science. In addition to lecture courses, students will be expected to take a substantial practical component in the form of an Honours research project or Master’s dissertation. Students graduating from this programme will be both equipped to do research at the cutting edge of astrophysics and have the broad science skills needed in any modern technological society.

Fees and financial support

Students accepted onto the programme will be considered for NASSP-DSI-NRF grants.

The following rules apply for the NASSP-DSI-NRF scholarships:

● The NASSP scholarships adhere to the same conditions and application requirements as other NRF scholarships.

● If the student withdraws from the degree at any time, he/she will have to refund NASSP a portion of the bursary. This will be calculated as a fraction of the bursary, equivalent to the number of months remaining until the end of the semester from the time of withdrawal. If the student fails to attend the academic programme for a period of longer than a month without good reason, NASSP reserves the right to terminate the bursary, and deem the student to have withdrawn.

● Additional financial support from the NRF, DSI, and charitable foundations (including the Scarce Skills bursary) cannot exceed half the NASSP bursary value.

● Master’s bursaries are for 2 years

● Honours bursaries are for 1 year