Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What programmes can I apply for?

The department offers the following programmes:
 

1. Advanced Diploma in Management (1612/1613) (NQF level 7)
2. Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDBA) (1626) (NQF level 8)
3. Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Management (1731) (NQF level 8)
4. Master of Commerce in Management (Coursework) (1830) (NQF level 9)
5. Master of Commerce in Management (Full Thesis) (1801) (NQF level 9)
6. Doctor of Philosophy in Management (1921) (NQF level 9)

See more information about the programmes in the Postgraduate Programmes tab.

How do I apply?

To apply for our programmes, you must complete an online application (admission-and-financial-aid/apply)
 

Do I qualify for admission?

The applications are processed by a selection committee. Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements are considered for the programme. Applicants who are in possession of the qualifications stated in the admission requirements of the programme are considered. If an applicant does not have the exact qualification stated in the admission requirements but has a SAQA accredited qualification in the right level in a commerce related field may be considered for the programme they apply for.
 

How are classes presented in the programmes?

Classes are in-person, in the evenings (from 17h30 – 20h30). Full time students attend classes from Thursday to Friday, except for the masters programme. Part time students attend classes twice a week. Classes for the masters programme are from Monday to Wednesday in the first enrolment year and twice a week in the second enrolment year, for both full time and part time students. Part time students have an option of attending two classes a week for a period of three years.

Please note that this applies to programmes offered by the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship ONLY.

What is the duration of the programmes?

The duration of the Advanced Diploma in Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration and B.Com Honours in Management programmes is one year full time study and two years part time study.

The duration of the coursework masters programme is two years full time and part time study. Part time study has a three year duration option available.

The duration of the full thesis masters programme is a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years, both full time and part time study.

The duration of the doctoral programme is a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years, both full time and part time study.

Can I apply for the Advanced Diploma in Management (ADM) programme with my matric and work experience only?

Yes. Applicants can apply for the ADM programme via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) unit if they only have a matric and working experience. Applicants can contact the RPL unit for more information about their application process at rplenquiries@uwc.ac.za or 021 9592799/ 3792/ 3954.

For applicants to be eligible for admission into the ADM programme, they must have a bachelor’s degree or a three year national diploma in a non-management field or an equivalent, or a diploma in management with 360 credits or an equivalent. The bachelor’s degree or three year national diploma must be an NQF level 7 qualification. The diploma must be an NQF level 6 qualification.

Applicants with a National N Diploma may be considered for the ADM programme if it is in a commerce related field such as Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing Management, Business Management, etc.
Unfortunately, a National N Diploma in Management Assistant lacks a foundation in management or commerce, and thus, cannot be considered for admission into the ADM programme.

Can I apply for the Advanced Diploma in Management (ADM) programme with my Management Development Programme (MDP) qualification?

No. The MDP or SMDP is not a SAQA accredited qualification. Applicants with an MDP certificate can apply for the ADM via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route. Applicants can contact the RPL unit for more information about their application process at rplenquiries@uwc.ac.za or 021 9592799/ 3792/ 3954.

Can I apply for the Advanced Diploma in Management (ADM) programme with my National N Diploma qualification from college?

Yes but it depends on the field the qualification is in. The National N Diploma qualification is an NQF level 6 qualification in the framework. Applicants with a National N Diploma may be considered for the ADM programme if it is in a commerce related field such as Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing Management, Business Management, Project Management etc. Unfortunately, a National N Diploma in Management Assistant lacks a foundation in management or commerce, and thus, cannot be considered for admission into the ADM programme.

Can I apply for the Advanced Diploma in Management (ADM) programme with nated (N4 – N6) certificates?

No. Nated certificates are at an NQF level 5. An applicant must complete the working experience component to obtain the National N Diploma in order to be eligible for admission into the ADM programme.

What is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the formal acknowledgement of the knowledge, skills, expertise and capabilities that people possess as a result of the prior learning that may have occurred through formal, informal or non-formal means – through self-study, work or other life experiences.

The domain of RPL is closely aligned to the main elements of the South African national policy discourse since 1994, with a specific focus of achieving transformation, accreditation, lifelong learning and complying with the National qualifications framework (NQF) of South Africa. The main purpose of RPL is to facilitate access to, mobility across and progression within the education, training and career pathways.

Find more information on the RPL webpage: https://sites.google.com/uwc.ac.za/rplwebsite2020/uwc-rpl-services?authuser=0

Do you offer the MBA programme?

We do not offer an MBA programme. We only offer a coursework masters programme.

What are the costs of the programme/s?

The fee structure of programmes offered are available on the university website. Applicants may generate a quotation from the online quote system available on the university website: https://quote.uwc.ac.za/default

Only current year fees or quotation can be obtained. The fees for the next intake are only available in December. Applicants may contact the Student Accounts office (studaccount@uwc.ac.za or 0219593110) for assistance with generating a quote on the online quote system.

Where can I get a study (textbooks, examination, accommodation, etc) quotation?

Unfortunately, we can only provide the tuition fee quotation. Applicants may contact the department for the list of prescribed textbooks in the programme they are interested in and request a quotation of those textbooks. Examination fees are not billed separately but are factored in the tuition fees of the programme.

When do applications open and close?

Applications open in April and close on 30 September.

I am a UWC student, do I need to submit any supporting documents?

If you have obtained a degree or advanced diploma at UWC and you are applying for the postgraduate diploma or honours programme, you do not need to provide supporting documents.

If you have obtained an undergraduate qualification at UWC but a postgraduate qualification at another institution and you are applying for the masters or doctoral programme, you need to submit the required documents of the qualification you obtained at another institution.

If you obtained your qualifications at UWC and are applying for the masters or doctoral programme, a draft proposal (applicable to full thesis masters and doctoral only), letter of motivation and CV should be submitted.

I am an international applicant; can I be admitted without a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate?

No. The purpose of the SAQA evaluation is to place your qualification in our qualification’s framework. The certificate will provide information about the equivalency of your qualification to our qualifications. Without the SAQA evaluation certificate, we cannot determine that you meet the minimum admission requirements of the programme.

When can I expect an outcome of my application?

An outcome of a complete application can be expected by the end of November latest. If the application is incomplete, that is there are missing supporting documents, it will be kept pending until the date given to submit the required document or until the applications are finalised. Applications received earlier are processed first and an outcome can be expected earlier than November.

Does the department have any bursary, scholarships or sponsorship opportunities?

The department does not have any bursary or scholarship opportunities. Applicants may contact the Financial Aid or Research Development and Postgraduate Support (RDPS) office for external funding opportunities available.

Can I be assisted with writing a draft proposal for an application?

No. The applicant must write the draft proposal of their proposed study for the department to review and allocate a suitable supervisor. A complete proposal will be written under the guidance of a supervisor once they have been admitted into the programme.

Does the department have pre-approved research topics?

No. The applicant must provide a draft proposal with a preliminary research title.

Can I bring a supervisor outside the department or university?

No. Supervisors are allocated within the department. An external supervisor may be appointed once referred to by the internal supervisor.

How do I get appointed as an external supervisor or examiner in the department?

Prospective supervisors or examiners can approach any of the academics in the department to propose a collaboration (in terms of supervision) or request a recommendation to be appointed as an examiner.