Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management

Qualification code:	90171
NQF level:	8
Total credits:	120
SAQA ID:	118670
APS/AS:	60

Maximum time to complete this qualification:

2 years

Purpose statement:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management is intended to prepare the learners for portability from a pure functional focus to a fully integrated all-rounded supply chain practitioner capable of functioning in complex and uncertain environments without comprising ethics and values of the profession. This qualification will provide learners with the supply chain management skills, capabilities, competencies, and expertise required to manage large, complex, and dynamic supply chains. The qualification enables the learner to become a fully-fledged supply chain practitioner. It will assist learners to widen supply chain management skills, competencies and capabilities through knowledge acquisition or intends to further their studies in management practice. As such they should develop and hold certain values and be able to integrate generic supply chain management knowledge and skills with specific knowledge regarding understanding legal and legislative frameworks, ethics and governance, strategic procurement and associated contract management options, planning and executing supply chain operations utilising technological innovation, processes and applications to maximising financial and general performance while mitigating risk and maximising stakeholder value. Furthermore, while displaying the desire of becoming a fully-fledged supply chain practitioner, they should show the potential in becoming a C-suite executive with an all-around understanding of how to leverage supply chain performance to deliver on organisational strategic goals. Learners will learn implementable supply chain management concepts, methodologies and tools based on the world's best practice (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics (CILT), Association for Supply Chain Management (APICS) and related bodies of knowledge (BoK)) and will learn to confidently apply these skills, competencies, capabilities, and knowledge to meet professional and organisational goals.

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 from a recognised accredited institution of higher education or equivalent qualification at NQF 7. The additional requirement of at least two years minimum 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 within the project management environment. 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