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 advanced research training and academic preparation for students seeking to pursue careers in academia, research, or industry.

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 Unisa students will receive confirmation via the email address provided during the application process.

• Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa.
• 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.
• Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period and 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 2026.

Registration Periods

Registration opens and closes on specific dates for different qualifications:

• Master's & doctoral qualifications: Registration opens on 7 January 2026 and closes on 31 March 2026, with the final date for payment being 31 March 2026.
• MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications: Registration opens on 7 January 2026 and closes on 21 February 2026, with the final date for payment being 21 February 2026.

Time Limits for Degrees

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period:

• 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 the student and their supervisor are responsible for ensuring that the studies are completed within the approved duration for the qualification.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

Unisa has identified 10 Catalytic Niche Areas to be operationalized 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

Students interested in any of these areas should discuss incorporating one or more of the CNAs into their studies with their supervisor.

PhD by Publication

A doctoral student may elect to complete their doctoral degree by publication. This refers to a doctoral degree that comprises several peer-reviewed publications written as an introduction, discussion, and conclusion that has been put together as separate chapters, contributing to a unified research theme within a specific field. Each academic college has its own criteria for considering such a request, and students must discuss this option with their supervisor from the onset of their registration as a doctoral candidate.

Curriculum

The curriculum for master's and doctoral degrees includes compulsory and elective modules, which may vary depending on the specific qualification. Students should consult the relevant college or department for detailed information on the curriculum for their chosen program.

Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies is a full research qualification that aims to enable learners to produce a doctoral research thesis that meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing under supervision in the various specializations within Management Studies. The purpose of this qualification is to provide training for an academic career, requiring learners to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels, culminating in the submission, assessment, and acceptance of a thesis.

• Qualification stream: Entrepreneurship
• Qualification code: 90021 - ENT
• Qualification type: Full Research
• NQF level: 10
• Total credits: 360

The curriculum consists of a thesis that incorporates a research proposal, an oral defense (viva voce), and two manuscripts based on the candidate's research, submitted for publication to a recognized accredited journal. Proof of the submission of the manuscripts is a compulsory condition for the degree to be conferred.

The defining characteristic of this qualification is that learners are required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a specialization in Management Studies. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication. The degree may be earned through pure discipline-based or multi-disciplinary research or applied research.