Purpose statement
The primary objectives of the Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management are to provide a formal qualification for individuals in middle to senior management in manufacturing and service industries who are interested in advancing to more senior positions in larger organisations in Operations Management and related fields. Connect skills and knowledge of various activities related to the Operations Management discipline by providing simulated learning through online animated smart factories and case studies in addition to theoretical learning so that practical and theoretical skills can be combined to enhance problem-solving and analytical skills and also to provide middle and senior managers with tools to manage operations in the 4IR dimension to steer organisations towards higher profitability and a more productive workforce. Since the completion of the Postgraduate Diploma gives learners entrance into a Masters' degree, a module introducing learners to writing a research proposal is included in the curriculum. The integration and application of knowledge should increase the employability of students. The qualification will enable learners to manage aspects of operations and supply chain in the manufacturing and service industries. The syllabi will build on contemporary issues in Operations Management that deals with the circular economy, which is founded on sustainability principles, risk management in the operations context and how to mitigate risk, understanding the role of people in the smart technological environment, and converting operations information into intelligence that can be used in decision-making and business models. The field of Operations Management offers diverse perspectives through continually changing economies and technologies, and the skilled professional will be able to advise on issues of changing capacity planning, risk management, forecasting, quality, and process analysis of the end-to-end value chain. The integration of processes, emerging trends, changing technologies, evolving job design elements and automation offers the learners integrated learning to transform current practices and cultivate purposeful leadership that can explore inclusive business models F through alternative paths through actionable insights to establish new best practices. The transformation of the current labour-intensive nature of the industry through Industry 4.0 technologies and the various skills levels in Operations Management will provide a vast array of employment opportunities for many South Africans at varying degrees of skills development. Successful learners will also be equipped with the necessary entrepreneurial skills to establish their own businesses.
| Qualification code: | 90200 |
| NQF level: | 8 |
| Total credits: | 120 |
| SAQA ID: | 125398 |
| APS/AS: | 60 |
| Maximum time to complete this qualification: | 3 years |
Please note:
An advanced diploma in Operations Management or any advanced diploma.
or
An NQF 7 qualification in a related field that requires operations management as an additional requirement.
Unsuccessful applicants may appeal on the application portal at https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Apply-for-admission-to-study:-application-tool and will be required to provide a motivation for special admission. The motivation must incorporate the following:
* academic motivation offering evidence of your ability to study a postgraduate qualification,
* work experience relevant to the qualification and courses completed since graduating with a Bachelor's degree or Advanced Diploma.
These appeals will only be considered if the enrolment target of the qualification has not been met and/or additional enrolment spaces are available.
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements as indicated above may apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) provided they meet the statutory admission requirements for undergraduate studies; are at least 23 years old with a minimum of five years' current, relevant working and research experience in line with the approved qualification's RPL requirements. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl
Pay the application fee of R160 once you've received your student number.
Please note:
Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.
Apply for an honours degree or postgraduate diploma between 17 August and 9 October 2026.
Please note:
Successful applicants should visit the registration website in January 2027 for updated registration information (eg qualification rules, curriculum/transitional arrangements, pre-requisites and co-requisites): www.unisa.ac.za/register
The curriculum information displayed on this page is based on the current academic year and may be updated for future academic years.
The curriculum information for this qualification will be available closer to the registration phase.