Master's & doctoral degrees

Master of Accounting Sciences

Qualification code: 98656
Qualification type: Coursework
NQF level: 9
Total credits: 180
SAQA ID: 90676
Rules:
The curriculum consists of four tutored modules, a research proposal module and a mini-dissertation. Candidates are required to first register for the tutored modules and the research proposal module and comply with the requirements for the research proposal module before registration for the mini-dissertation. Recommendation: It is recommended that students should first complete all NQF 8 and 9 modules of the qualification before proceeding to the mini-dissertation. The mini-dissertation should relate to one of the modules selected from Group B.


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 2024.
  • Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period.


When can I register?

Registration opens Registration opens Registration closes Final date for payment
Master's & doctoral qualifications 10 January 2024 29 March 2024 29 March 2024 

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

10 January 2024 9 February 2024 16 February 2024

Master of Accounting Sciences (98656) -  AUE, FAC, GOV, INT, MAC & TAX options

10 January 2024 22 March 2024 22 March 2024

The following qualifications have different registration dates for first-time registrations:

  • All qualifications in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (excluding Computer Science & Information Systems qualifications)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (90040) - SET, MAT, TEC, CHE, COM, LIF, AST, STA, SCE & PHY options
  • Master of Science in Nature Conservation (Full Dissertation) (98022)
  • Qualifications in the Department of Decision Science: Master of Science (98597 - ORE), the PhD in Operations Research (98598) and the MCom in Quantitative Management (98701)

Click here for more information.


Time limits for this degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.13 and 4.14 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 

Unisa has identified the following 10 catalytic niche areas 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 it 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. Elective modules: Select 2 modules
AUE4864 - Fraud Prevention and Detection
AUI4861 - Advanced Internal Audit Practice
FAC4861 - Advanced Financial Accounting I
MAC4861 - Advanced Management Accounting
MAC4865 - Financial Strategy
TAX4861 - Advanced Taxation
Group B. Elective modules: Select 2 modules
AUE5962 - Integrated Fields of Auditing Pre-requisite:AUE4861 or AUI4861 or AUE4864 or AUE4869 or equivalent
AUE5963 - Integrated Auditing Procedures Pre-requisite:AUE4861 or AUI4861 or AUE4864 or AUE4869 or equivalent
FAC5963 - Integrated Financial Accounting Pre-requisite:FAC4861or equivalent
FAC5964 - Integrated Reporting Pre-requisite:FAC4861or equivalent
MAC5962 - Integrated Management Accounting Pre-requisite:MAC4861 or MAC4865 or equivalent
MAC5963 - Integrated Financial Management Techniques Pre-requisite:MAC4861 or MAC4865 or equivalent
TAX5962 - Integrated Principles of Tax Administration Pre-requisite:TAX4861 or equivalent
TAX5963 - Integrated Tax Strategy Pre-requisite:TAX4861 or equivalent
Group C. Compulsory modules
MPCAS92 - Masters Proposal in Accounting Sciences
Group D. Elective modules: Select one module in line with the focus area of the proposal
DLAUE91 - Mini-Dissertation: Auditing Pre-requisite:MPCAS92
DLFAC91 - Mini-Dissertation: Financial Accounting Pre-requisite:MPCAS92
DLGOV91 - Mini-Dissertation: Financial Governance Pre-requisite:MPCAS92
DLINT91 - Mini-Dissertation: Financial Intelligence Pre-requisite:MPCAS92
DLMAC91 - Mini-Dissertation: Management Accounting Pre-requisite:MPCAS92
DLTAX91 - Mini-Dissertation: Taxation Pre-requisite:MPCAS92