Research Development and PG Support 

This division can be contacted at: postgradstudies@uwc.ac.za / rdpgs@uwc.ac.za

Academic coordinator for Dentistry: Casey Botha (cabotha@uwc.ac.za)

They provide the following services:

• Writing support

• Statistical support

• Assistance with translating research into publications

• Training workshops (proposal writing etc)– student email

• Mentoring

• Bursaries

• Financial assistance (R5000 towards registration fees)

• Ethical compliance

• NRF application training

ALSO SEE Ikamva site for additional information

WRITING COACHES

• Support the student-supervisor dyad with specific inputs into identified areas.

• Engage with post-graduate student on academic writing of the proposal and/or thesis by providing comprehensive assistance in writing skills to develop a logical and coherent presentations.

• Assist with various aspects of the research cycles e.g. research problem formulation, surveying the literature, data collection, and data analysis procedures.

• Assist with technical aspects such as referencing and other conventions such as, formatting of thesis (Table of Contents, page numbering etc) of the research process. 

STATISTICAL COACHES

• Questionnaire (instrument) validity assessment

• Data preparation and cleaning

  • Master sheet preparation, coding and labelling

  • Data cleaning

• Knowledge of Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques

• Graphical presentation and numerical summary of data.

• Working knowledge of statistical software including SPSS, Excel and STATA.

QUALITATIVE COACHES

• Data coding

• Data analysis software: e.g. Atlas-Ti

• Familiarity with qualitative methods of data analysis including

  • Content analysis

  • Thematic analysis

  • Discourse analysis

NB! The coaches are not co-supervisors, do not replace the supervisor, and do not provide content-based input. They do not provide editing or proof reading services, and they do not write for the student.

Editing services offered by RDPGS

RDPGS can fund up to R15000 for editing services (depending on the availability of funds) prior to submission for examination. In order to be eligible, please comply with the following:

1. A final version of the thesis needs to be ready

2. A letter from the supervisor stating that the thesis is ready for submission and that the examiners have been appointed

3. THREE quotes

4. Please send all information to Mr Adrian Du Plooy (aduplooy@uwc.ac.za)

Opportunity for additional income

There is a need for PhD coaches from Dentistry. These are paid positions funded by a work-study programme. Criteria for eligibility:

1. Registered PhD students in their 2nd to 4th years of study

2. Applicants should not be the recipient of any other work-study contract

3. Bursary holders would still be eligible to apply

4. Applicants should be able to offer expertise/ skills e.g. SPSS training or ATLAS training

5. Applicants will be subjected to an interview process to ascertain eligibility

Writing Support options 

Below are private/ personalised options for assistance with writing/ editing of theses and journal articles.

Library support

Contact Ms T Bici: tbici@uwc.ac.za

Bursaries

We are pleased to announce that we are offering an opportunity for students to apply for a Postgraduate Growth Bursary for 2024. This bursary is aimed towards reimbursing tuition fees only and does not cover any registration fees. 

We cordially extend an invitation to all eligible students to apply for the bursary, subject to compliance with the conditions listed below. We request that interested applicants carefully review these conditions before submitting their application. By doing so, candidates can ensure that they meet the requirements and are well-prepared to submit a successful application. We believe that this opportunity will enable students to fulfill their academic aspirations and reach new heights in their careers. As such, we encourage all eligible candidates to apply and look forward to receiving their applications.

1. The student must sign and return the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which is attached to this email.

2. The student must submit a completed FIN10, which is also attached to this email.

3. The student must provide proof of registration in the postgraduate dentistry program.

4. The student must commit to completing the program within the minimum timeframes. For an MSc degree, the minimum time is 3 years, for a PgDip degree, the minimum time is 2 years, and for a PhD degree, the minimum time is 5 years.

5. The student must declare that they are not receiving any other form of subsidy, bursary, or compensation towards financing of the program.

6. The bursary support must be for the first enrolment for the particular level of degree. This means that it is only applicable to students who are pursuing their first PgDip or Masters degree ever, regardless of which university they obtained their degree from.

7. Bursaries are allocated to both local and international students without any preference.

The amount of bursary awarded to students will depend on the number of applications received. Therefore, we encourage all eligible students to apply before the deadline of 9 March 2026, at 12h00. To submit your application, please send it to dentistry-postgrad@uwc.ac.za

Funding opportunities

See Ikamva site: Research @ Dentistry

Psychological support

CSSS: Centre for Student Support Services

https://www.uwc.ac.za/campus-life/sds-departments/centre-for-student-support-services