IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership - (Distance)

Are you ready to advance your brand and lead in business?

Advance your brand. Lead in business.

About This Qualification

This programme provides marketing and business managers and executives with the brand-business leadership competence required to further their careers to senior executive level.

The master’s programme engages students in innovative strategic brand-business leadership for business growth and sustainable future brand-business performance in local, emerging and global economies, with a strong focus on problem-solving and decision-making. This qualification is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in private, government and NGO sectors.

The IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership (MCSBL0901) consists of a coursework component followed by a minor dissertation. The coursework modules focus on contemporary manifestations in the respective disciplines of brand, strategy and leadership. The mini-dissertation will allow you to approach an industry-related problem from a scientific, scholarly angle.

Aim: The IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership (MCSBL0901) aims to graduate a new class of leaders and innovators who:

Demonstrate the ability to predict, investigate, analyse and critique complex inter-dependent brand and business challenges and opportunities within emerging economies.

Demonstrate sophisticated problem-solving competencies to generate, select, and apply innovative strategies for brand-business.

Demonstrate the ability to make and promote ethical brand-business decisions.

Communicate and defend ideas, discourses and strategies that will influence and engage diverse audiences.

Complete an independent advanced research project in the inter-related fields of brand and business.

Course

Admission requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • An appropriate HEQSF Level 8 Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in strategic management, marketing and/ or strategic brand management or equivalent discipline; OR
  • A relevant HEQSF Postgraduate Diploma or appropriate equivalent; OR
  • Level 8 Bachelor’s Degree (480 credits) may also be recognised as meeting the minimum entry requirements, preferably with evidence of NQF 7 commerce related modules (strategic brand management, brand management, and marketing management)
  • For international qualifications: A SAQA NQF L8 Evaluation Certificate in an appropriate field
  • An overall qualification average of at least 65%, normally.

Additional Admission Requirements:

All students are required to complete the Proposal Development for Master’s Studies during their first year, second semester of studies. The outcome of this SLP is a draft proposal required for supervisor allocation for the mini-dissertation in Year 2 Semester 1 of study. This will run concurrently with the coursework modules in the first year of study. You will be sent a manual contract to complete and we will add the module to your registration on your behalf. The cost of the programme is in addition to the Master of Commerce Tuition fee.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where candidates do not satisfy the formal admission requirements for this qualification, Emeris may consider an admission application in terms of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and Qualification Completion Policy (IIE010).

If applicant does not meet minimum admission requirements and there is no alternative (such as completion of NQP modules) but they have relevant experience, the following must be requested:

Certificates for all formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc). SAQA certificates must be provided for any international qualifications.

CV to determine whether the following are related to the qualification that the applicant is applying for:

Formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc)

Relevant work experience

Admission Procedures

Contact an online student advisor and complete The IIE Master of Commerce application form. As part of the application, you need to submit a brief CV, full academic record as well as short concept document on your chosen field of research for which a template will be provided to you. Your application will then be forwarded to the National Master's Programme Head who will schedule a personal or telephonic interview with you. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of this interview via email.

Curriculum

The IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership (MCSBL0901) consists of five modules. Four core modules, including the research component comprising the mini-dissertation, and one elective module out of a possible two elective modules.

Year 1 – semester 1

  • Advanced Brand Strategy
  • Advanced Business Strategy

Year 1 – semester 2

  • Advanced Brand Business Leadership
  • SLP: Proposal Development for Master’s Studie

Year 2 – semester 3

  • Minor dissertation (Compulsory)

Electives (choose one):

1. Brand-Business Leadership in Emerging Economies (Elective 1), OR

2. Brand-Business Performance Management and Valuation (Elective 2)

Year 2- semester 4

  • Minor dissertation (Compulsory)

Study further with our pathways

Candidates who achieve a final mark of at least 65%, along with a minimum of 65% for their mini dissertation, may be eligible to apply for admission to a doctoral degree programme at Emeris, subject to admission requirements.

Accreditation

The Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF 9) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA ID 111305).

Career opportunities

The programme builds career pathways for those involved and interested in Strategic Brand Leadership positions.

Teaching and Learning strategy

At Emeris, we believe that effective teaching is about creating experiences that foster student growth. Our academic team design activities that challenge students and identify their strengths, allowing for real-time adaptation in the learning journey. By combining subject expertise with teaching insights and digital tools, we extend learning beyond the classroom. This approach ensures students not only keep up but thrive.

On-Campus written examination venue information

There are no written examinations required for the IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership.

Programme information

Duration

2 years part-time


Intakes

January


Campuses


Mode/s of study


Information

  • Masters
  • Course code: MCSBL0901
  • NQF Level: 9
  • Credits: 180
  • SAQA ID: 111305

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