The Higher degrees portfolio has positioned itself to be a leading African masters and doctoral hub in the human sciences. It seeks to advance transformative, socially responsive, and decolonial scholarship aligned and anchored in the 10 catalytic niche areas (CNAs) and delivered through open distance and digitally enabled learning, producing ethical scholars, leaders and practitioners who shape knowledge, policy, and communities in South Africa, the continent and beyond.

We are committed to advancing accessible, high-quality masters and doctoral education within UNISA’s open distance e-learning (ODeL) model

The portfolio’s core mandate:

• Leadership, facilitation and management of Masters and Doctoral administration and coordination in the College
• Guide the implementation of M&D policy and procedures within the College and departments
• Close liaison and collaboration with the College of Graduate studies on M&D matters
• Guide research ethics and compliance
• Guide enrolments, supervision and examination processes
• Ensure academic quality (QA)

Composition and size of student population

Master’s and doctoral candidates collectively account for 5% of total enrolments (56 817) within the College. The average age of Master’s and doctoral students is 39 years. The College maintains a strong representation of female students across all qualification levels with 58% of the total number of Master’s and doctoral students being female based on 2025 numbers.

Staff Composition:

Led by the College Coordinator: Higher Degrees supported by an Administrator

Prof Mbazima Simeon Mathebane
College Coordinator: Higher Degrees
Mathems1@unisa.ac.za

Ms Tintswalo Brenda Baloyi
Administrator: Higher Degrees
Baloytb@unisa.ac.za

Higher Degrees Committees:

These Committees are all chaired by the College Coordinator: Higher Degrees with the office serving as secretariat for the committees

College Higher Degrees Committee

Members & Affiliations: College Examination Committee

Members: College M&D Bursary Vetting Committee

Members: College M&D-NRF Vetting Committee

Members

Services:

M&D Workshops

List of workshops and virtual links:

M&D BootCamp

• Dates: 27 -31 July 2026
• Venue: Kgorong conference room 3
• M&D Symposium
• Dates: 29-30 June 2026
• venue: Exam Hall 1 (WMM building)

Staff/Academics Workshops

Non- Examining Chairperson

• Date: 27 March 2026
• Venue: Mariam Makeba (WMM building)

VIVA VOCE Admin staff

• Date: 08 April 2026
• Venue: Exam Hall Exam Hall 1

Supervision

Date:

List of Workshops and links for virtual workshops:

• Signing-off M&D applications for admission, M&D appointment of NECs, examiners, amendments (topics, supervisors, NECs)  as well as M&D examination results.
• Support to Staff M&D Candidates

MDSP

Celebrating Excellent event

• Academic/Student Exchange programmes and Research Collaborations

Resources:

1. Forms:  V2, V4, v35, Intention to submit, Examination Memo

Hyperlinks to the forms:

2. Important links – these are links to internal and external resources, e.g. CGS’ web page, Catalytic Niche Areas, CREC (for ethical clearance), etc
3. Important resources – links to important documents such as M&D procedures, intent to submit form, etc