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Honours degrees & postgraduate diplomas

Honours degrees & postgraduate diplomas

What's new for 2026? | ODeL, Unisa and postgraduate studies | Qualifications | Apply for admission | Application outcome | Application for appeal | Academic research support | Payment methods and banking details | FAQs | International students | Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration

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Purpose statement

The purpose of the qualification is to empower learners with the necessary competencies (knowledge, values and skills) to analyse, synthesise and apply relevant information in business organisations. Relevant information refers to economics; making informed business decisions; stakeholders for business alignment based on stakeholder needs; value chains for integrated value to be achieved and financial statements for financial analyses and decision-making. The analysis, synthesis and application imply structuring and putting information together for purposes of decision-making and decision implementation. It goes hand in hand with conceptual, entrepreneurial and rejuvenating thinking, personal growth, the development of insight and foresight and the development and application of leadership skills in workplace and societal situations. With well-established competencies, learners can contribute to developing high performance businesses to the well-being of communities and societies. The programme also provides an opportunity for participants to integrate knowledge from various functional areas in their practice.

Qualification code: 98215
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 83147
APS/AS: 60
Maximum time to complete this qualification:  2 years

Important information for SBL qualifications

If you want to apply for admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (98215), please visit the Graduate School of Business Leadership website for an application form and application guidelines: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl

Please note: You will not be able to apply for this qualification via Unisa’s online application system.

Admission and re-admission requirements

Qualification admission requirements

Please note:

A three-year 360 credit Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma or equivalent from an accredited provider of higher education or an equivalent qualification at NQF 7. The additional requirement of at least two years' managerial/work experience. A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) must be submitted with the application. Access to a computer with Internet connection and a compulsory study school attendance is required.
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements as indicated above may apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) provided they are at least 30 years old; have completed at least a National Senior Certificate (NSC) (Degree endorsement) or a Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption or qualify for the exemption from the Matriculation Board; and have at least five years' managerial experience. Applicants who meet the criteria above but do not have managerial experience, will be provided conditional access. They will then be advised to complete the business acumen bridging course in order to gain access. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl

Student fees and funding your studies

Application fee

Pay the application fee of R150 once you've received your student number.

Please note:

  • The application fee is only applicable to students who do not have a formal Unisa student number.
    * Student numbers issued for short learning programmes and the Graduate School of Business Leadership are not formal Unisa student numbers. These students will be issued with a formal Unisa student number.
  • The application fee is a once-off fee.
    * You only need to pay the application fee once when you receive your formal Unisa student number. 
  • This application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa.
  • Use the 8 digit student number you receive from Unisa AND the application fee reference number (ie 8 DIGIT STUDENT NUMBER 5370810030). Send your proof of payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za
  • Visit www.unisa.ac.za/paymentinfo for banking details and payment information. International students are advised to make use of the Flywire payment option
  • The due date for the application fee is the closing date for the application period. Any application submitted without an application fee will not be processed. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your proof of payment.


Student fees

Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.

Apply for admission

Apply for admission to honours degrees or postgraduate diplomas for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025


Please note:

Registration

Successful applicants should visit the registration website in January 2026 for updated registration information (eg qualification rules, curriculum/transitional arrangements, pre-requisites and co-requisites): www.unisa.ac.za/register

Curriculum / modules