Yearbooks

Programme: Doctor of Administration [DBA]

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Code Faculty Department
07264003 Gordon Institute of Business Science Department: Gordon Institute of Business Science
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 360 NQF level:  10

Programme information

The DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) is a doctoral degree with a focus on application. The doctorate is the final academic degree, and it is expected that the thesis will build on existing scholarly work. Students who are accepted onto the DBA will be offered support through online and contact sessions, and it is expected that they will also contribute to their peer community by participating in those sessions.

Admission requirements

  1. MBA degree or master’s degree in a business-related discipline on NQF level 9
  2. Two referee reports from professional referees

Additional requirements

An application pack comprising the following must reach the Director of Research at GIBS before the due date:

  • A completed and signed hard copy of the application form and contract.
  • An application fee relevant for the year of admission, payable to the Gordon Institute of Business Science.
  • Official academic transcripts of all academic qualifications obtained to date. (Please note that a degree certificate is not a transcript.)
  • A 20-page research proposal, containing:
  • The research question;
  • A concise review of the literature most relevant to the research;
  • The proposed research design;
  • The proposed data source(s) and data gathering strategy.
  • Reports from two independent professional referees with whom the candidate is well acquainted, commenting on the candidate’s suitability for advanced academic study towards a doctorate. The signed referees reports should be marked “Admissions and the year of study” and sent directly to the Director of Research.
  • Successful candidates will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit relevant to the year of application, deductible from their subsequent tuition fees.
  • Assessments will be conducted to establish if candidates are capable of doctoral study. Continued study on the doctoral programme will be contingent upon meeting the requirements of the assessment.

Research information

Refer to General Academic Regulations G42-G55.

Progress on the research will be guided by a supervisor and monitored through regular engagement with the student. In order to complete the research, candidates need to share their research, at a practitioner-based forum.

The Dean may authorise matters not provided for in the General Academic Regulations or in the GIBS regulations.

General information

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

Core modules

Core modules


Regulations and rules
The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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