Yearbooks

Programme: MPA Public Infrastructure Management (Coursework)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
07251154 Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Credits Duration
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 225
Contact:
Prof DJ Fourie
[email protected]
+27 (0)124203472

Admission requirements

  • A completed bachelor's degree or equivalent (eg BTech, BSoc, BEd) with an average of at least 60%.
  • Administrative and managerial experience, preferably in the public sector, as deemed adequate and appropriate by the Director of the School of Public Management and Administration.
  • A maximum of 25 students can be admitted by the Departmental Postgraduate Committee.
  • A candidate may be refused admission to a master’s degree by the head of the department if he/she does not comply with the standard of competence in the subject as determined by the department – with the proviso that a candidate who does not comply with the required level of competence, may be admitted, provided that he/she completes additional study assignments and/or examinations.
  • The head of department concerned may set additional admission requirements. 
  • Specific departments have specific requirements for admission. 
  • The number of students will be determined in line with the growth strategy of the University of Pretoria as approved by the Executive. 
  • Allowance will be made for the diversity profile of students.

Other programme-specific information

Ten prescribed, compulsory modules as well as a mini-dissertation must be completed. Candidates must pass the module NME 801 before registering for the mini-dissertation (PAD 898). The curriculum is compiled in consultation with the Director of the School of Public Management and Administration.

The programme extends over a minimum period of two years, but must be completed within four years after the first registration for the degree. The Dean may, at the recommendation of the Postgraduate Committee, cancel the registration of a student during any academic year if his/her academic progress is not satisfactory.     

Examinations and pass requirements

  • A subminimum of 45% is required in the examination in each of the modules.
  • Credit is obtained for each module in which a final mark of at least 50% has been achieved.
  • Only one supplementary examination in a maximum of two modules is permitted.
  • A candidate may not present himself/herself for an examination in the same module more than twice, except with the approval of the Dean, on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Public Management and Administration. In the context of this regulation the phrase "may not sit an examination more than twice in the same module" as it appears in General Regulation G.32(b).2, implies that a candidate may not sit for an examination in a module, including one supplementary examination, more than three times.
  • Supplementary examinations cover the same subject matter as was the case for the examinations.

Research information

Dissertations/mini-dissertations, curricula and modules

  1. The degree programme requires that a dissertation/mini-dissertation must be submitted in a field of study chosen from the fields covered for the honours degree, provided that the Dean may, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department/Postgraduate Committee, approve the replacement of the required dissertation by the successful completion of a prescribed number of module credits and a mini-dissertation/research article.
  2. Information on modules, credits and syllabi is available, on request, from the relevant head of department/Postgraduate Committee.
  3. A module in Research Methodology is compulsory in all programmes. The Dean may, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department/Postgraduate Committee, waive the prerequisites.
  4. Sufficient number of bound copies of the dissertation/mini-dissertation must be submitted to the Head: Student Administration for examination, after permission is granted by the supervisor.

Article for publication
The Dean may require, before or on submission of a dissertation/mini-dissertation, the submission of a draft article for publication to the supervisor. The draft article should be based on the research that the student has conducted for the dissertation/mini-dissertation and be approved by the supervisor concerned. The supervisor should then have the opportunity to take the paper through all the processes of revision and resubmission as may be necessary and/or appropriate in order to achieve publication.

Submission of dissertation/mini-dissertation
A dissertation/mini-dissertation is submitted to the Head: Student Administration/departmental Postgraduate Office, before the closing date for the various graduation ceremonies as announced annually.

For examination purposes, a student must, in consultation with the supervisor, submit a sufficient number of bound copies and/or e-copies of the dissertation/mini-dissertation, printed on good quality paper and of good letter quality, to the Head: Student Administration/departmental Postgraduate Office. Permission to submit the dissertation/mini-dissertation in unbound form may be obtained from the supervisor concerned on condition that a copy of the final approved dissertation/mini-dissertation is presented to the examiners in bound format or electronic format.

In addition to the copies already mentioned, each successful student must submit a bound paper copy as well as two electronic copies of the approved dissertation/mini-dissertation to the Head: Student Administration/departmental Postgraduate Office in the format specified by the faculty and in accordance with the minimum standards set by the Department of Library Services, before 15 February for the Autumn graduation ceremonies and before 15 July for the Spring graduation ceremonies, failing which the degree will only be conferred during a subsequent series of graduation ceremonies.

Minimum credits: 225

Core modules

  • Module content:

    • Concepts, aims and principles of public finance
    • Governments and the distribution of income
    • Role players in financial resource management
    • Budgeting, budgeting techniques and systems
    • Financial performance measurement
    • Tariff settings and viability techniques
    • Internal control and accounting
    • Policy documents relating to financial management
    • Logistical and asset management
    • Tendering tenders and contracts
    • Monitoring and auditing
    • Financial accountability

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Institutions and functionaries involved in public human resource management
    • Basic values and directives governing public human resource management.
    • Strategic human resource management
    • Developing a performance culture
    • Talent management,
    • People development
    • Creating and maintaining a learning culture
    • Role players and their functions
    • Employee relationship management
    • Issues in people resource management
    • Labour relations management
    • Ethics and Accountability

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Research design
    • Conceptualisation and measurement
    • Operationalisation
    • The logic of sampling
    • Surveys

    Research proposal to be submitted during year one and a supervisor will be allocated.  Candidate to identify one of the specified areas (energy, water, sanitation or roads and transport) to conduct the research within a managerial and administrative context.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Key concepts in public policy formulation and implementation
    • Participants (role players) in policy formulation
    • Key concepts in public policy analysis and implementation
    • Ethics and policy analysis
    • Approaches to policy analysis (A typology) Models for policy analysis
    • Policy analysis as a process: A general overview
    • Policy analysis as a process: Identifying problems and determining objectives for research
    • Policy analysis as a process: Cost effectiveness, alternative options and determination of cost Forecasting and policy analysis
    • Methods and techniques in policy analysis: An overview Acceptance and implementations of policy proposals Monitoring and evaluation of policy outcomes
    • Pitfalls and limitations of policy analysis
    • Design sectoral specific policies to achieve policy objectives
    • Direct and control the implementation of sectoral specific policy and limitations of policy analysis
    • Problem solving and techniques

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Development of Public Administration as a practice
    • Relationship between Public Administration and other dimensions
    • Administrative activities
    • Functional activities
    • Auxiliary functions
    • Sector governance and utility regulations

    View more

  • Module content:

    Leadership theories
    Leadership styles in the public sector
    Ethical leadership
    Regulatory framework in the public sector
    Communication
    Decision-making
    Team roles
    Planning and objective writing
    Performance information in the public sector
    Management processes
    Project and change management
    Leadership challenges in the public sector

    View more

  • Module content:

    Fundamentals, aims and concepts of programme and project management
    Legislative and policy framework
    Programme and project governance
    Programme and project lifecycles
    Programme and project methodology
    Business process reengineering
    Management of systems in public organisations
    Strategic and operational management
    Monitoring and evaluation and programme performance management
    Budget programmes
    Programme and project applications

    View more

  • Module content:

    To be registered simultaneously with the course work modules.

    View more


The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

To contact the University during the COVID-19 lockdown, please send an email to [email protected]

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences