| Qualification code: | 90157 |
| Qualification type: | Coursework |
| NQF level: | 9 |
| Total credits: | 180 |
| SAQA ID: | 111436 |
An appropriate bachelor honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma in IRM/Computer Science/Information Systems/ICT or degree in Computing or related field at NQF level 8 with an average of 60% or more in the qualification.
All students with foreign qualifications, including those with qualifications from African countries, must have their qualifications evaluated at SAQA. (www.saqa.org.za)
Applicants must first contact the relevant academic department and the potential supervisor. Topics and supervisors appear in the CSET M&D admissions policy document. Acceptance is based on viability of the intended research and available supervisory capacity. Competitive positions are filled on the basis of an approved selection procedure aligned with Unisa's policies on equality and diversity. Applicants need to demonstrate adequate mastery of academic English (TOEFL minimum score of 88 for the Internet-based test or a minimum score of 570 for the paper-based test or completion of prior degrees at a university where English is the prime language of instruction). Adequate exposure to appropriate research methods and methodologies in previous qualifications is required. Residency requirements apply for applicants who need to do laboratory work. Applicants with degree structures that are different from South African degrees or with applicable experience that may be relevant for admission will be required to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
This programme is compulsory for all research master's and doctoral students. Students registered for honours degrees, postgraduate diplomas and coursework master's degrees are also welcome to register for this programme.
All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.12 and 4.13 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.
A student registered for a 180-credit structured coursework master’s degree must complete the study programme within three years. A student may make application to the supervisor for one additional year of study. The supervisor will consult with the Executive Dean of the College in which the student is registered.
A master's degree by coursework requires a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual dependence, and a research project culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation of limited scope. The curriculum generally comprises subjects where you are required to write examinations, and submit a research proposal module and a mini-dissertation. In most cases, you need to pass at least two modules before you may register for the research proposal module. You will only be able to register for the mini-dissertation if you comply with the requirements of the research proposal module.
Please note: Once you have passed all the modules, but fail the research proposal module, you will not be permitted to continue with the qualification. Refer to the Procedures for master's and doctoral degrees.
Click here to view a list of departments and research focus areas for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Unisa’s admission policy has changed and you are now required to submit a detailed research outline for the qualification for which you apply. No application submitted without a detailed research outline will be considered. Although this research outline may differ for each qualification or academic department, the basic information required is as follows:
Your research outline must align with one of the departmental research focus areas. Please also take note of Unisa's Catalytic Niche Areas; you should strive to incorporate at least one of the Catalytic Nice Areas (CNAs) into your research. These include the following:
You can join the CGS-facilitated CNA working groups for the next series of meetings. For more information, visit www.unisa.ac.za/cgs
Click here for the guidelines on how to prepare a research outline.
Plagiarism of any form is unacceptable. Please take note of Unisa's Policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism.
Pay the online application fee of R140,00 once you have received your Unisa student number.
Please note:
An application for a student number does not constitute an application for admission. After you receive your student number, you must still complete the online application for admission process and upload the compulsory supporting documents.
Click here for the 2024 student fee information. The fee information for the 2025 academic year will be available at the time of registration.
Students registering for qualifications through the Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) should visit the SBL website for fee information, as the SBL uses a different fee structure.
Click here for student funding/bursary opportunities.
Application are online only! Applications for admission to master's and doctoral degrees to be open from 2 September to 22 November 2024.
Applications for the following qualifications will, however, remain open until the end of June 2025:
Click here to apply for a student number and apply for admission.
Please ensure that you apply for a Unisa student number (if applicable), apply for admission and upload all the supporting documents during the application period. If you already have a Unisa student number, you proceed to apply for admission and upload all the supporting documents.
You have 10 working days to upload all the supporting documents during the application period. If you do not comply with this requirement, your application will be declined and you will have to re-apply for admission during the current/next application period.
Only students whose application for admission was approved and re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) will be allowed to register online within the approved registration period for the 2025 academic year. Coursework master's degree students must await the official approval of their research proposal module, before attempting to re-register for the next academic year. Students with outstanding fees or a Library block on their accounts, will not be able to register online until these issues have been resolved. No printed registration forms will be accepted.
Click here for registration information.