Program Overview

Master's & Doctoral Degrees

The University of South Africa (Unisa) offers a range of master's and doctoral degrees across various colleges and departments. These programs are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge, skills, and applied competence in their chosen fields.

Registration and Admission

To register for a master's or doctoral degree, applicants must first receive confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must check their myLife emails for confirmation, while new students will receive confirmation via the email address provided during the application process.

• Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted.
• 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 2026.

Time Limits for This Degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. The time limits for these degrees are as follows:

• 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.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

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

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

Curriculum

The curriculum for master's and doctoral degrees includes a range of modules and research components. For example, the Master of Philosophy in Accounting Sciences (Financial Intelligence) consists of a dissertation that incorporates a research proposal to be completed within the first year of study.

Master of Philosophy in Accounting Sciences

• Qualification stream: Financial Intelligence
• Qualification code: 98587 - INT
• Qualification type: Full Research
• NQF level: 9
• Total credits: 180
• SAQA ID: 96475

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide Master of Accounting Science students with post-graduate level knowledge, specific skills, and applied competence in the fields of Accounting, Auditing, Management Accounting, Income Tax, and Information Technology.

Research Areas

Unisa's research areas are diverse and include various fields such as accounting, auditing, management accounting, income tax, and information technology. The university's research focus is on problem-solving research with relevance and impact.

Registration Period

The registration period for master's and doctoral qualifications opens on 7 January 2026 and closes on 31 March 2026. The final date for payment is also 31 March 2026.

Conclusion

Unisa's master's and doctoral degrees offer students the opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills in a range of fields. With a focus on research and applied competence, these programs are designed to prepare students for careers in their chosen fields and to contribute to the development of society and the business community.