IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership Course Requirements at Varsity College
Varsity College · Faculty of Commerce
The IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership is a master's Degree offered by Varsity College for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking 2 years part-time online to complete. This page covers the minimum admission requirements you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Minimum Admission Requirements to study IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership at Varsity College
- An HEQSF Level 8 honours degree in strategic management, marketing or a related field, a relevant postgraduate diploma, or a Level 8 bachelor's degree with commerce modules
- An overall average of at least 65%
- Completion of the proposal development programme (extra cost)
- International qualifications need a SAQA NQF Level 8 evaluation
About this course
The IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership is an online master's degree for senior marketers and brand managers who want to lead brand-driven business growth. It carries 180 credits at NQF Level 9 (SAQA ID 111305) in the Faculty of Commerce and is studied part-time over two years.
The degree has four core components and one elective. Core modules are Advanced Brand Strategy, Advanced Business Strategy and Advanced Brand Business Leadership, together with a proposal development short programme and a compulsory minor dissertation in the second year. For the elective you choose either Brand-Business Leadership in Emerging Economies or Brand-Business Performance Management and Valuation.
You learn how brands create value on the balance sheet, how to lead brand strategy in African and emerging markets, and how to research a strategic brand question in depth.
The degree suits holders of an honours degree in strategic management, marketing or a related field, including graduates of the IIE BCom Honours in Strategic Brand Management. Graduates with 65% overall and 65% for the dissertation may apply for doctoral study.
Possible careers
Graduates move into senior brand leadership, marketing director, strategy and consulting roles, and can apply for doctoral study.
Course intelligence for IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
IIE Master of Commerce in Strategic Brand Leadership doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like Varsity College. Ask Varsity College directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
Varsity College’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with Varsity College and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply through the Emeris online postgraduate portal and upload a certified academic transcript, certified copies of your previous qualifications, a CV and a copy of your ID or passport. Research degrees also require a statement of intent or concept document and completion of the proposal development programme, so contact the faculty early. Final admission depends on supervisor availability and approval of your research proposal.
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- Duration
- 2 years part-time online
- NQF Level
- 9
- Fees
- 2027 online tuition R55 235 a year (2-year programme, full settlement); check the master's and doctoral fee schedule
- Application deadline
- Check the programme page; intakes are in January or February
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Related courses
Source: Official website: https://www.emeris.ac.za/qualifications/online/master-of-commerce-in-strategic-brand-leadership, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Varsity College before applying.