Yearbooks

Programme: MPhil Insolvency and Business Rescue (Coursework)

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Code Faculty Department
07255350 Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Department: Mercantile Law, Business Management
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 190 NQF level:  09

Programme information

Closing date for applications: SA applicants – 30 November; non-SA applicants – 31 August of the year preceding the year of first registration.


This programme is structured to allow for one year of study, therefore the programme may be completed within two semesters (1 year), subject to fulfilment of all the requirements for the degree and payment of the fees as prescribed for the MPhil degree.


The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences should be contacted with regard to specific regulations pertaining to the MPhil degree programme.

Admission requirements

  1. A BComHons degree in an academic discipline related to financial management or business management with a cumulative weighted average of at least 60%

or

  1. A four year law degree with a cumulative weighted average of at least 60%

              or

  1. Any other NQF level 8 qualification with a minimum of 120 credits in an academic discipline relevant to this MPhil programme with a cumulative weighted average of at least 60% and as approved by the departmental selection committee of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Other programme-specific information

The mini-dissertation must comprise 13 000 to 15 000 words – including footnotes but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography. (The methodology and content of the mini-dissertation should reflect a multidisciplinary perspective on the insolvency and rescue industry’s policies, management and regulation.)

Any request for an extension of the submission of the mini-dissertation will only be granted by the Dean of Economic and Management Sciences, on recommendation of the Postgraduate Committee.

Examinations and pass requirements

The pass mark for both a dissertation and a mini-dissertation is 50%. The provisions regarding pass requirements for dissertations, contained in General Regulation G.12.2, apply mutatis mutandis to mini-dissertations. A pass mark of at least 50% is required in the examination of each module.
In the event of having failed all modules during a particular year of study, a student will only be allowed to continue with his/her studies with the consent of the Postgraduate Committee.

Research information

The relevant head of department must recommend a supervisor and title for the mini-dissertation, which must be approved by the Postgraduate Committee. The mini-dissertation must be assessed and finalised as set out in the Economic and Management Sciences or Law Faculty Boards approved MPhil Policy Document of the respective faculty, where required. The mini-dissertation must be submitted in the format as determined by the supervisor and approved by the Postgraduate Committee. The supervisor may likewise, subject to the approval of the Postgraduate Committee, also determine the research topic and scope of the proposed research.

Pass with distinction

In order to be awarded a postgraduate degree/diploma with distinction, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Obtain a Grade Point Average of at least 75% including at least 75% for the mini-dissertation in the case of a coursework Master's degree.
  • Complete the degree within the minimum period prescribed.
  • Only the final mark of the first attempt to pass the modules or dissertation will be considered.
  • The GPA will be not be rounded up to a whole number.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The aim of the module is to provide students with the required background regarding the principles and theory of the South African insolvency system within an international and comparative context. The outcome of this module is to equip students with an advanced knowledge of the issues related to this ever-evolving industry.

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  • Module content:

    The aim of the module is to provide students with advanced knowledge regarding the principles of corporate liquidation and rescue including the administration of an insolvent or financially distressed estate.

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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:

    The aim of this module is to equip students to explore the concepts, theories, patterns and recent cases of the four stages of corporate sickness: decline, distress, insolvency and bankruptcy. It examines contemporary product, production, accounting, financial, marketing, alliance and joint venture-based turnaround strategies. The module provides students with a perspective on identifying and remedying turnaround business situations, that is, established businesses experiencing operational, financial and managerial difficulties. Students learn, from the viewpoint of a general manager, how to distinguish between "troubled" and "crisis" companies and how to use both qualitative and quantitative tools to effect solutions.

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  • Module content:

    The aim of this module is to equip students to explore modern research in corporate financial distress. Topics covered include financial distress identification and prediction, the link between distress and macroeconomic conditions, and financial bubbles. It also incorporates various tools from business analytics. The module covers business valuation in distress situations.

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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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