Master of Management by Research

Give yourself the opportunity to learn, grow and develop through continued study, designed to sharpen your research skills and increase your love of knowledge.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 INTAKE FOR THE MMR PROGRAMME ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Programme Overview

Make the pursuit of knowledge your ultimate goal with the Master of Management by Research – a programme aimed at honours and post-graduate students seeking to further build on their qualifications in a related field of study. Awarded on the basis of a supervised thesis, the MM in Research offers focused analysis in the areas of finance, management and work-related disciplines, giving students the opportunity to expand their horizons and continue down the path of higher learning and understanding.

The MM by Research gives students the opportunity to expand their horizons and continue down the path of higher learning and understanding.. 

Curriculum

The MM by Research comprises a fill dissertation, which you will produce under the guidance of a supervisor and which must be completed in one year for full time students or two years for part time students. You will attend a research seminar series in the first six months of the year which will assist with your dissertation.

  • Seminar series: Conceptualising and Developing your Research Proposal, Locating the Conceptual Foundation of your Research, Qualitative Methodology, Quantitative Methodology
  • Prepare MM by Research proposal
  • Present proposal (within one year of starting)
  • Proceed with research (on approval of proposal), providing written reports every 6 months
  • Thesis examined by two examiners

 

The School is particularly keen to enrol students in the following areas of study:

  • Strategy
  • Methodological Issues
  • Business & Society
  • Decision Sciences
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Organisational behaviour & diversity management
  • Energy Leadership
  • Digital Business
  • Philanthropy and Social Investment in Africa
    • Areas of study include but are not limited to African philanthropy, Community philanthropy, Public policy and philanthropy, Venture philanthropy, Corporate social investment, SDGs and philanthropy, Religion and philanthropy, Social investment, Impact investing, Wealth advisory, and Management of philanthropy among others.

Textbooks are available on www.mind-matters.co.za

Entry Requirements
  • A bachelor’s degree with honours (1st grade or upper 2nd class grade)
  • An outline of your proposed research (2 000 to 3 000 words)
  • Availability of a suitable supervisor
  • High level of motivation and commitment
  • Letter of motivation
  • A 12-page proposal
  • Certified academic certificates - Undergraduate and Honours Degree
  • Certified academic transcripts/records - Undergraduate and Honours Degree
  • SAQA evaluation certificate (for students whose prior degrees were not awarded by a South African university)
  • Proof of English language proficiency (for students who have not studied at tertiary level in English)
  • Non-refundable application fee
  • Complete the online application form on the following link https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/
  • Application Qualification Assessment Form (to be downloaded, completed and submitted online)
  • Plagiarism Appendix - (to be downloaded, completed and submitted online)

Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.

CRM Enquiry
Application process

How to apply to Wits

Online application

Complete the Online Application form
(Should you encounter any problems with the online application process please contact thabang.thibedi@wits.ac.za)

Pay a non-refundable application fee of R200

Upload copies of ALL your tertiary qualifications; Undergraduate and Honours Degree - degree certificate(s) and academic transcript(s)

Upload Motivation letter

A 12-page proposal

An outline of your proposed research (2 000 to 3 000 words)

International applicants: For other requirements pertaining to international applicants, kindly contact the International Students Office at: studysa.international@wits.ac… and kindly contact Lerato Komane for student fee enquires at: studentfinance.wbs@wits.ac.za

Document to Downloads
Application Qualification Assessment Form - (to be downloaded, completed and submitted online)

Plagiarism Appendix - (to be downloaded, completed and submitted online)

MMR Guidelines Document

Processing

Foreign Qualifications:
Applicants who hold a foreign qualification need to send their qualifications to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for evaluation before applying to WBS. Visit saqa.org.za or email saqainfo@saqa.org.za. Alternatively, you can call: +27 (0)12 431 5070 or the help desk on: +27 (0)860 111 673

Proof of English language proficiency (for students who have not studied at tertiary level in English)

Deposit

A R15 000 minimum deposit will be required upon acceptance of a place on the programme

Financial Assistance - https://www.wits.ac.za/internationalstudents/financial-information/

Disclaimer: Cancellation of programmes by WBS

WBS is entitled to cancel or change the date of delivery of a programme without notice and for any reason without incurring any liability to individuals who have applied or are enrolled on the programme or any funders of such individuals (“participants” or “funders of participants”).

Without derogating from the aforesaid, and insofar as it possible, WBS will provide the participants or funders of the participants with 30 (thirty days) days written notice of any cancellation or changes in the dates of delivery of the programme. 

Insofar as the programme is cancelled or rescheduled prior to delivery of the programme then in that event the participants and funders of the participants will not be charged the full programme fees.