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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Business Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96762  Doctor of Business Administration 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The qualification aims to:
  • Provide an opportunity for learners to obtain detailed knowledge of the discipline concerned and to create an awareness of the variety of institutional contexts in which it is applied.
  • Provide an opportunity for learners to obtain detailed knowledge that makes them capable of resolving managerial problems based on sound scientific methods and to make a contribution to managerial knowledge.
  • Give learners the opportunity to become acquainted with the practical application of the principles, theories and models of the discipline in the work environment.
  • Promote a group of learners into a rigorous and comprehensive theoretical and methodological programme in the discipline when the degree is done by dissertation.
  • Contribute to the development of learners to become research orientated and to produce academics who have the knowledge, skills and who can transmit such knowledge to future learners.
  • A qualifying learner at this level is competent in applying research techniques as well as in developing new knowledge or techniques to solve management problems at the strategic level.
  • Provide the learners with the opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of Business Administration.
  • Develop in learners the capacity for lifelong learning and an awareness of the social context in which they will be working.
  • Provide the learners with skills and expertise that can make them stay in business and enhance their positions in business.
  • The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) research is directly related to a managerial problem.

    Rationale:
    The institution offers the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in response to the demand coming from experienced professionals wishing to take a step back from their ongoing professional activities, reflect and formalise their knowledge. The DBA is executive oriented, it allies applied research with professional practice and provides the opportunity for theoretically informed reflection about activities undertaken in professional contexts.

    The DBA is positioned to serve the leadership and management needs of organisations in both the private and public sectors and build expertise in management and leadership within organisations in the current milieu. It focuses on the appropriate management and leadership behaviours that lead to strategic success.

    The DBA is practitioner-oriented and designed to be of functional significance to the practice of management. It allies applied research with professional practices and provides the opportunity to theoretically reflect on activities undertaken in a professional management context.

    The undertaken research can be oriented towards sustained theoretically-based investigation of the management field leading to novel reconsiderations of existing work, or towards a purely research-based, original analysis and consideration of data and phenomena to correspond with similar research existent in the academic milieu.

    To be able to provide top-quality Higher Education, the qualification aims to provide and generate knowledge that deals with the new economy as well as the current challenges within the modern organisation.

    The DBA Degree is intended to allow the holder to embark on careers as applied researchers, consultants, and senior corporate roles. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL is possible for admission purpose only provided the applicant has an honours level applicable qualification with extensive top management level work experience in a reputable organisation.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Master's Degree in Business Administration or equivalent.
  • Extensive Business/middle to top management level experience. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the Thesis at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level10 totalling 360 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Display expert, highly specialised Management and advanced research skills in an Economic and Management Sciences and related disciplines.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and solve highly complex Management and commercial problems in a systematic, critical and creative way.
    3. Acquire a specialised understanding of how to manage resources and processes in a business context.
    4. Communicate effectively, in oral and written modes, and to articulate and promote their own ideas and interests.
    5. Contribute towards the extension of knowledge in an Economic and Management Sciences or related discipline.
    6. Possess in-depth understanding of and how to contribute to the socio-economic challenges of developing South Africa.
    7. Able to lead Bachelors Masters and Doctoral studies. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Highly specialised Management and advanced research skills is displayed in Economic and Management Sciences and related disciplines.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The ability to identify, analyse and solve highly complex Management and commercial problems is demonstrated in a systematic, critical and creative way.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • A specialised understanding of how to manage resources and processes is demonstrated in a business context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Ideas and interests are articulated and promoted through effective Communication in oral and written mode.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Original research must have been done that extends knowledge in Economic and Management Sciences or related discipline.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • An in-depth understanding of and contribution to the socio-economic challenges of developing South Africa is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Demonstrated ability to lead Bachelors Masters and Doctoral studies.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learner competence is assessed by means of a research proposal and thesis that demonstrate:
  • An understanding of theoretical frameworks as well as the practices and strategies in management.
  • The ability to critically analyse business practices and strategies.
  • The insight to identify areas that need improvement or development.
  • Familiarity with various research methodologies utilised in the field of management.
  • The skill to apply appropriate methodology.
  • The ability to compile and analyse findings in order to make constructive recommendations.
  • The ability to articulate the process as well as the findings and recommendations will be assessed by means of a comprehensive oral defence of the thesis.
  • The written thesis and comprehensive oral defence to demonstrate that all the capabilities have been integrated.
    Assessment of thesis by research supervisor(s) and two external examiners who hold relevant Doctoral Degrees as well as demonstrated research expertise relevant to the thesis. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Degree compares favourably with the following international DBAs that are practitioner-oriented and designed to be of functional significance to the practice of management:
  • The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) offered by Grenoble Ecole de Management in France which is a research-based Degree which is the highest-level business qualification attainable.
  • The DBA offered by Stirling University in the United Kingdom (UK), which is a research-based Degree.
  • The DBA offered by University of Nicosia in Cyprus which is a research-based Degree.
  • The DBA offered by University of Monaco, which is a research-based Degree.
  • The DBA of the University of Sarajevo School of Economics and Business in Bosnia Herzegovina. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Commerce in Business Management, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Central University of Technology, Free State 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.