Since the successful completion of the course wins the student a Master's degree, it also formally paves the way for subsequent doctoral study in linguistics. Students opting for distance tuition are not required to attend lectures or seminars in Stellenbosch. The only event for which they are obliged to be in Stellenbosch is the examination at the end of the first year of study, for details of which see Examination below. The lecturers also use this opportunity to discuss with students their progress, difficulties, special interests, etc. Depending on individual students' needs, the time spent in Stellenbosch normally does not exceed one or two days.
Students opting for on-campus tuition enter a tutoring programme tailored to their particular needs.
Contact with distance students is maintained by mail, e-mail, fax and telephone. The course can be done in either English or Afrikaans. All course materials are available in both languages. The duration of the course is two years , regardless of the mode of tuition chosen. The South African academic year starts in February and ends in December.