Honours in Business Management BCom (Hons) 

PURPOSE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TRAINING

The Department of Business Management faces a considerable challenge in the training of knowledgeable and skilful managers who can contribute to the economic welfare of South Africa in the next millennium. The entrepreneurial talents of students must be awakened, so that they can attempt to further develop specific skills, which will enhance their potential.  Concurrently the training must also concentrate on developing fundamental thinking skills so that truth and scientific fact can at all times be sought in training, development, research and community service, whilst always bearing in mind the needs of the future market.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Business Management can only admit 40 students into the honours programme per year. As a result, current UP students who comply with the minimum entry requirements will get preference to fill these 40 openings. In particular, the 40 UP students who comply with the minimum entry requirements and who achieved the highest final mark in Strategic Management (OBS 320) will be selected for the programme. If the Department is unable to fill these 40 openings with student from the University of Pretoria, the applications of applicants from other institutions will be considered to fill the remaining openings. In such an event, these external applicants will be required to write an entrance examination.

Applicants have to comply with the following minimum admission requirements:

• A BCom degree with Accounting, Economics, Statistics and Business Management on a first year level.
• Strategic Management on third year level with a final mark of at least 60%.

A complete, certified academic record must accompany ALL applications. Applicants from other Universities must provide the University with sufficient proof to determine whether they have complied with the minimum admission requirements.

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Postgraduate Coordinator

Ms B Siwisa
Department of Business Management
Tel: 012 420 6257
Email: [email protected]

Masters in Business Management (MCom) 

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Postgraduate Coordinator

Ms B Siwisa
Department of Business Management
Tel: 012 420 6257
Email: [email protected]

Doctorate in Business Management (PhD) 

To pursue a PhD in business management at UP, demands certain requirements and criteria to be adhered to. Firstly, a PhD requires that a knowledge contribution must be made to the science of management. On examination, if there is no clear and definite new contribution, examiners will reject the thesis no matter what is on offer. Secondly, the thesis must address a real problem that after being solved, would leave the knowledge world improved. Thirdly, the problem should be investigated with valid and reliable scientific research methods. Normally this also requires a knowledge of the core theories that are relevant/applicable to the problem environment. Finally, the PhD is a scholarly exercise, it should therefore not be pursued to obtain a promotion in your job environment.

All the above suggests that the ideal candidate will arrive at the start line having read a significant number of scientific articles on the topic (100-200). S/he will have, by then, clearly identified the problem to be investigated, know the key researchers on the topic and have a clear research question. The theories on which the research will be based are of course a final prerequisite.

If a supervisor with capacity and specialist knowledge on the topic, problem and proposed phenomenon to be investigated is available in the department, an initial meeting will be set up. At this meeting a match is pursued and if found, the process is started.

Potential candidates should therefore understand that they require 14-20 hours per week to meaningfully attempt completion in 3 years. So consider the effect of this on your family and personal life roles.

The 2017 and future programs will also require formal attendance (compulsory) sessions over weekends that address theories and methodology enhancement as a prerequisite.

AREAS OF SPECIALISATION

While the department covers a vast number of topics within its PhD programme the following are its core research interests:

• International Business
• Turnaround Management & Business Rescue
• Supply Chain Management

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Postgraduate Coordinator

Ms B Siwisa
Department of Business Management
Tel: 012 420 6257
Email: [email protected]