Master's & doctoral degrees

Master of Business Administration

Qualification code: 90070
Qualification type: Coursework
NQF level: 9
Total credits: 180
SAQA ID: 97385
Rules:
First level: Register four compulsory modules in semester 1 and four compulsory modules in semester 2 Second level: Register two compulsory modules and one elective in semester 1, and Integrated Management Project in semester 1 & 2


Who can register?

  • Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must please check their myLife e-mails for confirmation. New Unisa students will receive confirmation via the e-mail address they provided at the time of application.
  • Re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period for 2025.
  • Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period or check whether the qualification for which you intend to apply is on the list of qualifications that you can apply for until the end of June 2025.


When can I register?

Registration opens Registration opens Registration closes Final date for payment
Master's & doctoral qualifications 8 January 2025 31 March 2025 31 March 2025

MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications 
* All GSBL students with a 7-series student number should contact the Graduate School of Business Leadership for assistance with re-registration: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl

 8 January 2025 21 February 2025 21 February 2025

Click here for the master's & doctoral qualifications: exceptions.  


Time limits for this degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.

  • Coursework master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
  • Research master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
  • Doctoral degree: A maximum of six years with an option to apply for one additional year.

Both you and your supervisor are responsible to ensure that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:

  1. Marine studies      
  2. Aviation and aeronautical studies      
  3. Automotive      
  4. Energy      
  5. Space study and square kilometre array      
  6. Fourth IR and digitalisation      
  7. Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)      
  8. Health studies/medicine      
  9. Feminist, womanist and bosadi theorisations      
  10. Student support and co-curricular activities      

If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies. 


Curriculum

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Semester 1: Compulsory
MBA4801 - Economics for Managers Co-requisite:MBA4807
MBA4807 - Accounting for Managers Co-requisite:MBA4801
MBA5926 - Operations Management Co-requisite:MBA4801, MBA4807, MBA5949
MBA5949 - Managing Human Capital Co-requisite:MBA4801, MBA4807, MBA5926
Group B. Semester 2: Compulsory
MBA5903 - Strategic Financial Management Pre-requisite:MBA4807
Co-requisite:MBA5945
MBA5910 - Sustainability Marketing Co-requisite:MBA5903, MBA5944, MBA5945
MBA5944 - Business Research Co-requisite:MBA5903, MBA5910, MBA5945
MBA5945 - Management of Digital Technologies Co-requisite:MBA5903
Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Semester 1: Compulsory
MBA5902 - Ethical Leadership & Governance Co-requisite:MBA5950 & (MBA5907 OR MBA5909 OR MBA5946 OR MBA5948)
MBA5950 - Strategic Management Co-requisite:MBA5902 & (MBA5907 OR, MBA5909 OR MBA5946 OR MBA5948)
Group B. Semester 1: Choose one elective from the following (NB: Where an elective is undersubscribed, it may not be offered)
MBA5907 - Strategy in a Global Context Co-requisite:MBA5950, MBA5902
MBA5909 - Strategic Project Management Co-requisite:MBA5950, MBA5902
MBA5946 - Digital Supply Chains Co-requisite:MBA5950, MBA5902
MBA5948 - Innovation and Entrepreneurship Co-requisite:MBA5950, MBA5902
Group C. Semester 1 & 2: Compulsory
MBA5929 - Integrated Management Project Pre-requisite:MBA5944