Mzuzu University Postgraduate Application Forms 2024-2025

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for studies in various Postgraduate Programmes for the 2024-2025 Academic Year. The applications should reach the University by the required closing date.

A. FACULTY OF EDUCATION

i. UNIVERISTY CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (UCE)

Mzuzu University, through the Faculty of Education, is pleased to invite applications for a one-year programme of study leading to the award of the University Certificate in Education (UCE).

Programme Description

The aim of the programme is to prepare teachers who will have the knowledge and skills that will enable them to teach and provide them with a career development opportunity in education for both pre-service and in-service personnel with non-education qualifications.

The programme is structured into two components: One semester of face to face coursework, and one term of teaching practice. The programme covers educational foundation and teaching methodology courses.

Entry Requirements

1. Applicants should have at least a minimum of a diploma in any relevant field from a recognized institution.
2. Candidates should be able to teach any two of the following sciences or humanities subjects: Bible Knowledge, Biology,
Chemistry, Chichewa, Computer Studies, English, French, Geography, History, Mathematics and Physics.

Programme Fees

The total fees payable per student for the entire programme is K400, 000.00. For international applicants, the total fees for the entire programme are US$ 1,500 for SADC and US$3,500 for non-SADC students. However, fees are subject to change from time to time.

ii. MASTER OF EDUCATION (EDUCATION LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT) AND MASTER OF EDUCATION (TEACHER EDUCATAION) PROGRAMMES

The Faculty of Education is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for admission into 2-year full time degree programmes leading to the award of Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Management and Master of Education in Teacher Education. The two programmes are structured as follows:
1. Full-time taught course work in the first academic year (two semesters)
2. Research in the second and final academic year (two semesters).

Programme Description

a) Master of Education (Educational Leadership & Management)
This programme aims at enabling students to develop skills in educational leadership and management, expose them to contemporary discourses in the discipline and to empower the graduate with knowledge and skills in educational policy formulation, analysis, implementation and evaluation.

b) Master of Education (Teacher Education)
This program aims at enabling students to develop knowledge and critical understanding of key concepts in teacher education, teaching methodologies, current advances, theoretical approaches and assumptions in teacher education. Students will acquire skills in methods of inquiry, problem solving, lifelong learning, and social responsibility.

Entry Requirements

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Education from a recognised institution of higher learning, or
2. A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution plus a University Certificate in Education (UCE), or Post- Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or its equivalent.
3. Teaching experience at secondary school or tertiary institution (For the Master of Education in Teacher Education applicants).

Programme Fees

Course fees are currently at 3.2 million Malawi Kwacha for the two years (MK800,000 per semester) for local students, US$3,500 for SADC and USD$5,500 non-SADC international students. However, fees are subject to change from time to time.

B. FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

i. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) STUDIES IN THE FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences is inviting applications for a three- year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) study programme in any one of the following specializations:

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Forestry and Environmental Management
• Geoinformatics
• Sanitation
• Transformative Community Development
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Water Resources Management

Background

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences offers Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree qualifications in Environmental Sciences allowing candidates to specialize in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Forestry and Environmental Management, Geo Informatics, Sanitation, Transformative Community Development, Urban and Regional Planning and Water Resources Management. The programme aims to build capacity of professionals to discover innovative and reliable ways of sustainably managing natural resources, adding value, planning and managing the urban environment and the planning of regions.

The programme in environmental sciences will equip graduates with useful transferable skills to collect, analyse, interpret and present often diverse datasets and to use analytical tools such as numerical models that are valuable in the job market. The programme will also equip candidates with the ability to make and participate in often complex decisions and assess risks associated with environmental management.

Programme’s Description

The programme is designed as learning experiences based on modules and research with supervision, and the interaction with fellow students and other experts in the field as additional elements of learning. The students will have to undergo modules that will support research based on specific areas of specialization.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree in a related specialization or its equivalent from a recognised institution. Those with practical experience and peer reviewed journal articles will have an added advantage.

Programme Fees

The following fees will apply:
• Malawian Nationals – The fees payable per student for one academic year is MK1, 400,000.00
• Other Nationals – The fees payable per student for one academic year is US$5,500.00 for SADC nationals and US$6,000.00 for non-SADC nationals.

Please note that fees are subject to change from time to time

ii. MASTER OF SCIENCE (MSc) STUDIES IN THE FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences is inviting applications for two-year Master of Science (MSc) study programmes in:

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Forestry and Environmental Management
• Geoinformatics (GIS)
• Sanitation
• Transformative Community Development
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Water Resources Management

Background

The Faculty of Environmental Sciences offers Master’s degrees in Environmental Sciences allowing candidates to specialize in specific environmental issues in Forestry and Environmental Management, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Water Resources Management, Sanitation, Transformative Community Development, Urban and Regional Planning and Geoinformatics (GIS). The programmes aim to build capacity of professionals to discover innovative and reliable ways of sustainably managing natural resources, value addition, as well as planning and managing the urban and rural environments.

Studies in environmental sciences will equip graduates with useful transferable skills to collect, analyse, interpret and present often diverse datasets and to use analytical tools such as numerical models that are valuable in the job market. The programmes will also equip candidates with the ability to make and participate in often complex decisions and assess risks associated with social and environmental management.

Programme Description

The programmes are designed as learning experiences based on course work and research, using supervision and interaction as learning elements. The students will have to undergo courses that will support research based on specific areas of specialisation.

Prerequisites for admission

Applicants must have a first degree in a related specialization or its equivalent. Expert knowledge in the field of application will be an added advantage.

Programme Fees

The following fees will apply:
• Malawian Nationals – The fees payable per student for one academic year is MK1, 100.000.00
• Other Nationals – The fees payable per student for one academic year is US$3,500.00 for SADC nationals and US$5,500.00 for non-SADC nationals.

Please note that fees are subject to change from time to time.

C. FACULTY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIONS

i. MASTER OF SCIENCE (MSc) IN INFORMATION THEORY, CODING AND CRYPTOGRAPHY

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the Master of Science in Information Theory, Coding and Cryptography degree programme in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Mzuzu University.

Programme description

Information Theory is an area of mathematics dealing with the transfer of information from one location to another or the storage of information for later retrieval. Both of these operations can be regarded as passing information or data through a channel from a source to a receiver. There are three central aspects of the subject:
• Efficiency – efficient encoding of the information (source coding or data compression)
• Reliability – removal of errors caused by noise in the channel (error control coding)
• Security – protection against eavesdropping, intrusion, or tampering (cryptography)

These three topics, which we collectively refer to as Coding Theory, are live and exciting areas of research today. The great advances in all types of electronic communication over the past few years are, in part, due to continuing developments in Coding Theory. Mzuzu University through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics is offering a Master of Science program in Information Theory, Coding, and Cryptography, which will allow qualified Malawians and other interested qualified persons to become involved at the highest levels of research in the whole area of Coding Theory.

Graduates, besides taking part in research at the highest levels of mathematics, should eventually be able to apply the knowledge gained in this course to many areas, including, but not limited to; mobile telephony, high density computer and optical disks, digital audio, internet services, miniaturization in electronic device.

Duration of the programme

This is a full time programme and will run for a period of four semesters (2 academic years)

Coursework

The programme includes the following taught courses which will be done in the first two semesters: Information Theory, Error Correcting Codes, Cryptography, Practical Cryptography, Graphs and Designs, Data Compression, Graph Theoretical Codes and Goppa Codes.

Research project

The second year of the programme will be devoted towards a research project.

Entry requirements

The main requirement for entry is a good first degree with a high level content of mathematics.

Programme Fees

The following fees will apply:

• Malawian Nationals – The total mandatory fees payable per student for one academic year is MK1,100,000.
• Other Nationals – For international students (SADC), the total fees is US$3, 500 per academic year and for non-SADC international students the total fees is US$5, 500 per academic year.

Students are advised to bring along a book and stationary allowance of US$ 350 per year.

Please note that fees are subject to change from time to time.

D. FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

i. MASTER OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to register for a 2 year fulltime programme leading to the award of a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) for the 2024-2025 academic year

Aim of the Programme

The aim of the programme is to provide high quality postgraduate education and training in Library and Information Science to ensure self-reliance, resourcefulness, and flexibility of information science graduates capable of working effectively and efficiently in various organisations.

Nature and length of the Programme

The MLIS programme will be offered in two academic years. The first year (two semesters) will comprise of 10 taught courses and the second academic year will consist of a research project culminating in an examinable thesis.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to this programme should meet any of the following entry requirements:
• A Bachelors Degree in Information Sciences (Library and Information Science, ICT, Records Management or equivalent) from
a recognized institution, or
• A Bachelors Degree in any field of study and a Postgraduate Diploma in information sciences, or
• A Bachelors Degree in any field of study from a recognised university with two years work experience in the information
sector.

Programme Fees

The total fees payable per academic year are as follows:
• MK 1,200,000.00 per year for Malawian students
• US$ 5,700 per year for SADC students
• US $ 8,050 per year for full-time Non-SADC students

Please note that fees are subject to change from time to time.

E. BOARD AND LODGE

All candidates will be admitted on self-sponsored category. Candidates will be expected to provide for their own board and lodge.

F. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Eligible University Certificate in Education (UCE) applicants should submit their application packages, which must include the following:

• A letter of application,
• A curriculum vitae,
• A copy of relevant academic transcript(s),
• A copy of the highest qualification awarded,
• Copy of bank deposit slip for application fee.

NB: Prospective UCE candidates serving in government institutions should submit the applications through their employers.

Eligible Master programmes applicants should submit their application packages, which must include the following:

• A letter of application providing motivation for the application,
• Updated Curriculum Vitae,
• Two letters from academic referees,
• Copies of academic certificates,
• Copies of academic transcripts,
• Copy of bank deposit slip for application fee.

Eligible Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) applicants should submit application dossiers, which must include the following:

• A letter of application providing motivation for the application,
• Updated Curriculum Vitae,
• Three traceable referees (at least two from academia),
• Two reference letters (at least one from academia),
• Copies of academic certificates,
• Copies of certified academic transcripts,
• A research concept in the area of specialization of approximately one thousand words,
• Copy of bank deposit slip for application fee.

Payment of Admission Application fee

All applicants should pay a non-refundable admission application fee of K10, 000.00 for Malawian applicants and US$150 for international applicants. The application fee should be deposited directly into the following bank account:

Name of Bank : NBS Bank
Account name : Mzuzu University Fees Collection
Account number : 14389172
Branch : Mzuzu Branch
Swift code (for international transfers): NBSTMWMW

The bank deposit slip should be attached to the application letter.

Completed application documents should be sent to:

[….name of programme being applied for….] 2021 /21 Admissions
University Registrar
Mzuzu University
Private Bag 201
Luwinga
Mzuzu 2

NB: For international applicants, applications by email will be accepted.

All applications should reach the Registrar’s Office not later than the deadline

Further enquiries about the programmes may be directed to the following:

University Certificate in Education (UCE) : the UCE Coordinator on selemani.c@mzuni.ac.mw or (+265)
886053675
MEd (Education Leadership & Management) and
MEd (Teacher Education) : the MEd Coordinator on medcoordinator@mzuni.ac.mw or (+265) 01 320
625

PhD and MSc in Environmental Sciences Programmes : the Dean of Faculty on foes@mzuni.ac.mw or (+265) 01 320 722

MSc in Information Theory, Coding & Cryptography : the Programme Coordinator on maths@mzuni.ac.mw or (+265) 999 353
002

Master of Library and Information Science : the Programme Coordinator on chawinga.w@mzuni.ac.mw or (+265)
993509295 or the Head of Department on chipeta.g@mzuni.ac.mw or (+265) 882851420