Graduate Assistant and Tutor Policy

• Graduate assistants and tutors are recruited on the basis of seniority from PhD level down, subject to departmental discretion.
• The primary role of the Graduate Assistant is assist the lecturer with managing the tutorial programme, making course material available to students online, and serving as the first port of call for any student queries related to course work.
• The primary role of tutors is to facilitate tutorials in a module, but must also attend lectures of the module.
• Tutors must keep an attendance register for tutorials.
• Tutors must grade assessments worth 10% or less (cumulatively 50% or less) of the module class mark.
• Tutors must submit marks to the departmental administrator within five working days.
• Tutors must attend all meetings called by the instructor of a module. These will be called regularly by the instructor or graduate assistant, ideally once a week.
• Tutors must be available to be contacted by tutorial group members, and must provide contact details.
• All tutors must annually sign an agreement that stipulates their minimum performance requirements.
• New tutors must attend the EMS Faculty and Departmental tutor training
• Tutors will be supported in terms of needs like work space as far as resources allow.
• Claim sheets must be completed no less than three days before the due date.

Postgraduate Application and Selection Policy

• Minimum criteria for Honours are a relevant degree and a 65% average for third year Politics modules
• Minimum criteria for Masters are a relevant Honours degree and an average of 65%
• Minimum criteria for a PhD are a relevant Masters degree and an average of 65%
• Applicants must provide:
• A concept note or proposal on intended research
• A writing sample
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A Reference letter
• Relevant academic qualifications (a SAQA certificate of equivalence for non-South African degrees)
• Identity documentation
• All applicants must apply online through the university application system
• Applicants are responsible for their own documentation and funding needs
• All applications are subject to a departmental selection process that may involve an interview
• Applicants can be declined if they do not meet the minimum requirements or if there is insufficient supervision capacity

Postgraduate Policy

• Postgraduates must re-register every year for their degree.
• Masters and PhDs candidates must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with their supervisor that includes:
• The minimum number of meetings per year,
• Agreed upon deadlines for draft submission,
• Defending research proposals and drafts to the department or school. 
• Students must keep regular and open communication with the department, especially as regards to deadlines and their registration status.
• Supervisors must read students’ work and provide constructive feedback within a reasonable time.
• In the event of difficulties around supervision, students can approach the HoD for mediation.
• All postgraduates must attend:
• The postgraduate orientation at the start of every year,
• Departmental research seminars,
• Research methodological workshops.
• All students are subject to university processes regarding registration, proposals and examination.
• Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the teaching life of the department, primarily tutoring.
• The Department will facilitate processes of postgraduate skills development.
• The Department must facilitate the intellectual maturation of students. Students can assist by taking independent ownership of their work.

Assessment Policy

• Late course work will only be accepted without penalty if accompanied by a valid medical or death certificate or by prior arrangement with the lecturer.
• Students forging certificates will be referred to the Proctor.
• Late submission results in a penalty of 5% per day. No coursework will be accepted more than three working days late. A weekend will count as one working day.
• Plagiarism:
• A first-year will receive 0%, and if time permits, may be allowed to resubmit for a maximum mark of 50%.
• A second-year will receive 0% and not be allowed to resubmit.
• A third-year or post-graduate will receive 0% and be referred to the proctor.
• Course assessments will be marked, captured and returned within two weeks of submission.
• All course work must be submitted electronically unless stated differently by the tutor or lecturer.
• Students have five working days to verify that their marks have been correctly captured.
• Where a student has a mark query, they should consult the module instructors.