Yearbooks

Programme: MPhil Entrepreneurship (Coursework)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
07255181 Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 180 NQF level:  09
Contact:
Prof MN Moos
[email protected]
+27 (0)124204667

Programme information

There will not be an intake of new students for each degree every year. It remains the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the degree they wish to apply for, will indeed be offered.

Admission requirements

  • Relevant bachelor's degree and the Postgraduate Diploma (Entrepreneurship) with an average of at least 60%;

     or

  • Relevant Honours degree with an average of at least 60%.

For more information, please consult the brochure at: click here.

Additional requirements

  1. A candidate may be refused admission to a master’s degree by the relevant head of department/Postgraduate Committee 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.
  2. The relevant head of department/Postgraduate Committee may set additional admission requirements.
  3. Specific departments have specific requirements for admission.
  4. The number of students will be determined in line with the growth strategy of the University of Pretoria as approved by the Executive.
  5. Allowance will be made for the diversity profile of students.

Other programme-specific information

Presentation method
The programme is presented by means of contact  and online sessions. Attendance at these contact sessions is compulsory.

Examinations and pass requirements

An examination paper is written in each of the modules and a minimum of 50% should be obtained. A subminimum of 40% in each module is required. Candidates must pass all modules, including the research article to qualify for the MPhil Entrepreneurship degree.

There are no supplementary 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: 180

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The module is designed to engage students to the entrepreneurial start-up process by focusing on the interaction between science and reality of the entrepreneurship enabling environment, entrepreneurial behaviour elements, creativity and innovation, business modelling, as well as performance motivation. It additionally embraces the world of the social entrepreneur within the stated constructs of the entrepreneurial start-up process. 

    The five themes provide a reflective perspective on entrepreneurship and its strategic importance and socio-economic relevance. It also endeavours to facilitate a deep understanding of the dependant and independent variables embedded in and around the start-up phase. Its key purpose conveys entrepreneurship enablement in different branches of industry, sectors and impact spheres.   

    The curriculum integrates distinctive aspects of the entrepreneurial start-up process in identifying problems in the enabling market environment towards translation into entrepreneurial opportunities via the creative process of ideation. The entrepreneurial action (start-up) model is designed to guide the learning process to enable potential entrepreneurs to turn the feasible business opportunity into a realistic business venture, in both profit or social impact orientation.

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  • Module content:

    The module is designed to engage students in the management and growth of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures by focusing on the interaction between science and reality of entrepreneurship in a difficult and complex socio-economic environment. Insights in managing growth, how to market a growing business as well as financing growth are emphasised. The module also includes a focus on failure and turnaround of struggling small businesses. The curriculum integrates distinctive aspects of the venture growth through relevant themes in providing a reflective perspective on entrepreneurship and small business to facilitate a deep understanding of the dependent and independent variables embedded in and around the growth process.

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  • Module content:

    Strong emphasis on market research, quantification of the market but also a basis for academic publications and a doctorate.

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  • Module content:

    Key principles and concepts of strategy and strategic management; competitive strategy; emergent and deliberate strategy; formulation of strategy; analysis of the external and internal environment; stakeholder analysis; competitive advantage; shareholder value; strategy and performance; hyper-competition; corporate and business level strategy. An advanced strategic management simulation that is online and interactive to apply strategy principles, and to foster team collaboration.

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  • Module content:

    This module equips the student to conduct independent research by executing a research project on a relevant topic, of which the findings are reported in an academic article.

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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.

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