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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Business Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104537  Master of Business Administration 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners with the knowledge, attitudes, insight and skills required for middle and senior management positions. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, and appropriate skills to their particular industry in an independent manner in a variety of settings.

The compulsory modules represent core areas of management and provide a learner with knowledge to underpin management decision-making in a modern developing economy. The module Research Methodology and Research Report provide the graduate an opportunity to interrogate and analyse management problems and devise strategic and functional management solutions. The specialist elective module allows the graduate to align the MBA with their own field of expertise or interest and provides opportunity for in-depth development of specialist knowledge.

The consequences of managerial incompetence are dire for both the organisations and the economy as a whole. In this regard, this qualification will contribute to the personal development and growth of learners by offering them the opportunity of gaining a world-class education in the key functional areas of an organisation with a view to enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness as managers in a dynamic and complex environment. Thus, the qualification will positively impact not only on a learner and their respective organisations, but, the economy as a whole.

Rationale:
Arising from both formal and informal interactions with entrepreneurs and large organisations in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as with senior managers from local municipalities and the provincial government, the need for the institution to offer an accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification became evident. Furthermore, many learners from KwaZulu-Natal are compelled to register for an MBA qualification with institutions outside KwaZulu-Natal, due primarily to the limited intake of learners by University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN's) academic institutions. In this regard, the Faculty of Management Sciences, with its well-qualified and experienced academic staff, is ideally positioned to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the requisite skills and abilities of managers for commerce, industry and the public service in Kwazulu-Natal and beyond. In an era characterised by reduced Department of Higher Education Training (DHET) subsidies and the "Fees must fall" campaign, it is envisaged that the MBA qualification will, in the long-term, make a positive contribution to the financial position of the Institution.

This qualification is targeted at graduates with management/business-related and non-management/business related qualifications who are occupying managerial positions both within the public and private sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has a RPL policy in place that allows candidates access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (short courses and work experience). RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). The candidates are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting one's work-based learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the relevant Academic Department for assessment. The department's RPL committee will assess the candidate's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes. Challenge assessments, in the form of written examinations, may be conducted. The candidates will have to demonstrate competence at the applicable exit level. Successful candidates will then be accepted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements.
The minimum entry requirements are:
  • An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree.
    Or
  • An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Levels 7 and 9 totalling 196 Credits.

    Compulsory module at Level 7: 16 Credits:
  • Research Methodology, 16 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 9: 164 Credits:
  • Financial Management, 16 Credits.
  • Leadership and Strategic Management, 16 Credits.
  • Corporate Governance and Business Ethics, 12 Credits.
  • Managerial Economics, 16 Credits.
  • Innovation and Change Management, 16 Credits.
  • Globalisation, 12 Credits.
  • Emerging Markets (Business in Africa), 16 Credits.
  • Research Report: 60 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 9: 16 credits (Select one module):
  • Health Care Management, 16 Credits.
  • Supply Chain Management, 16 Credits.
  • Disaster and Risk Management, 16 Credits.
  • Local Government Management, 16 Credits.
  • Higher Education Management, 16 Credits.
  • International Maritime Law Policy and Law, 16 Credits.
  • Sport Management, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply a wide range of business administration principles to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems in business management, generally and in a specialised field, in a developing economy, and have an ability to understand the consequences of decisions relating to these enquiries.
    2. Evaluate and critique business administration theories and principles in the work environment with a view to choosing the appropriate practice to apply to complex management problems.
    3. Make independent ethical decisions about complex organisational issues and contribute significantly to the development of corporate governance and ethical standards in a business and management environment.
    4. Communicate academic, professional and technical general management information effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technology, language, structure, style and graphical support. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify, diagnose and solve management problems and assess the consequences in one of the specialised fields.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Select and apply relevant principles to own work environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply the principles of corporate governance and ethics in a business context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Communicate effectively to a range of audiences using advanced and appropriate techniques.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Both formative and summative assessment methodologies will be used.

    Assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever. A wide range of formative and summative assessment tools will be used to assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Continuous assessment will be undertaken through:
  • Portfolios.
  • Simulations.
  • Workplace assessments.
  • Written assignments.
  • Written tests.
  • Case studies.
  • Peer group evaluation.
  • Face to face contact with learners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master of Business Administration was benchmarked against similar programmes offered by institutions in four different countries, and similarities in the curricula are outlined hereunder.
    United Kingdom, MBA offered by London Business School:
    Similarities:
    Modules:
    London Business School: offers the following modules which are similar to the DUT qualification:
  • London Business School: DUT.
  • Leading Ethical Organisations: Corporate Governance and Business Ethics.
  • Corporate Finance: Financial Management.
  • Valuation strategy: Leadership and Strategic Management.
  • Global Economic Analysis: Globalisation.

    USA, MBA offered by Harvard Business School:
    This qualification is comparable to the DUT MBA in terms of the following modules:
  • Harvard Business School: DUT.
  • Finance: Financial Management.
  • Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, Strategy :Leadership and Strategic Management.
  • Strategy,
  • Finance,
  • Leadership and Corporate Accountability,
  • Corporate Governance and Board of Directors (elective): Corporate Governance and Business Ethics.
  • Doing Business in Africa: Emerging Markets (Business in Africa).
  • Globalisation and Emerging Markets (elective): Globalisation.

    Germany MBA offered by Mannheim Business School:
    This qualification is comparable to the DUT MBA in terms of the following modules:

    Mannheim Business School: DUT.
  • Strategic Management: Leadership and Strategic Management.
  • Corporate Finance: Financial Management.
  • Organisational Behavior and Change.
  • Management: Innovation and Change Management
  • Ethics and Corporate Social.
  • Responsibility: Corporate Governance and Business Ethics.
  • Research Methods: Research Methodology.
  • International Marketing (elective): Globalisation and Emerging Markets (Business in Africa).
  • Innovation and Creativity Management: Innovation and Change Management.
  • Business master Projec: Research Report.

    Tanzania, MBA offered by the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute.

    This qualification is comparable to the DUT MBA in terms of the following modules:

    Eastern and Southern African Management Institute: DUT.
  • Global Corporate Strategy: Globalisation.
  • Research Methods for Business Development.
  • And Management: Research Methodology.
  • Corporate Governance: Corporate Governance and Business Ethics.
  • Innovation and New Business Venture: Innovation and Change Management.
  • Leading Change and Restructuring: Innovation and Change Management.
  • Master Thesis: Research Report. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Business Administration Level 10.
  • Doctor of Business Leadership, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.