Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration

Qualification code:	98215
NQF level:	8
Total credits:	120
SAQA ID:	83147
APS/AS:	60

Maximum time to complete this qualification:

2 years

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.

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:

• Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification.
• Unisa reserves the right to withdraw any offer for admission to the 2026 academic year should it be found that you do not meet the statutory, college and/or minimum admission requirements for the qualification to which you have been admitted. In such a case, the university will refund any registration fees paid towards the said qualification.

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

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:

• You must apply for each new qualification even if you already have a formal Unisa student number. This includes first-time Unisa applicants, Unisa students changing to a new qualification and/or changing the specialisation of their current qualification, and applicants completing an undergraduate qualification who wish to continue with postgraduate studies.
  * Student numbers issued for short learning programmes and the Graduate School of Business Leadership are not formal Unisa student numbers.
• You may apply for a maximum of two qualifications, ranked in order of preference (although you may only register for one should all of your applications be successful). No changes may be made after the closing date for applications.
• You must accept or decline Unisa's offer within the prescribed period of time.
• You may only accept one offer. If you accept an offer, the other application for admission/offer will automatically fall away.
• If you accept Unisa's offer for the 2026 academic year, you may only register for the qualification and specialisation for which you received an offer. You may also only register for the 2026 academic year. Should you decide not to register for the 2026 academic year for any reason, you will need to apply for admission during the next application period.

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