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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Business Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116319  Master of Business Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification provides training in the techniques of research, analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to the relevant discipline. The degree will equip the learner with knowledge in the field of study and the skills necessary either for employment in the related field in the public or private sectors. Learners will also be equipped for further independent research for the degree of PhD at leading domestic or international universities.

Rationale:
The rationale for the development and implementation of the qualification is to:
  • Create and provide a suitable postgraduate commercial degree that offers upward mobility in the business and academic world.
  • Prepare learners with the necessary theoretical and practical business background and to expose them to advanced specific fields in the business world.
  • Provide an opportunity to carry out rigorous research on which business decisions can be made.
  • Allow learners to participate in most spheres of the economy.
  • Allow learners with the qualification to further their studies to doctoral level. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Applicants who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to an NQF Level 8 Degree may be permitted to register for the degree.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Business Science Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate mastery to depth of a theoretically sophisticated subject matter.
    2. Demonstrate proficiency in research methodology sufficient to proceed to a PhD.
    3. Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, collection and analysis of data, and effective written communication.
    4. Conduct independent research in the discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
    5. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
    6. Apply disciplinary knowledge and research skills.
    7. Analyse and critique communications of an academic and accessible nature.
    8. Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
    9. Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge while demonstrating awareness of the nature of expertise in the field.
    10. Master a body of knowledge within a specified area of the discipline and all relevant research techniques, both general and specific concerning a particular field of study.
    11. Summarise clearly, accurately and comprehensively all relevant aspects of an academic debate x) be able to relate or apply existing knowledge in novel contexts.
    12. Have sufficient knowledge for teaching undergraduates.
    13. Undertake supervised research at the doctoral level.
    14. Make an expert contribution to the conduct of business in a particular area of economic activity.
    15. Understand and endorse the need for very high standards of rigour in academic research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner:
  • Be familiar with leading issues in their specialist field of study.
  • Apply the techniques of Mathematical, statistical and formal logical analysis to a range of problems in the above areas.
  • Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review; iv) Able to prepare professional papers for peer review.
  • Write research and funding proposals.
  • Provide technical reports to professional audiences, including governments and businesses.
  • Formulate research problem and integration of literature appropriate design and execution of research.
  • Use appropriate methods of data collection and analysis.
  • Integrate of findings.
  • Appreciate of the limits of the study.
  • Use the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The integration of skills learnt in the Master of Business Science is assessed through a dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Masters qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. The standard is assured, among other things, by a requirement for assessment by external examiners who hold a university academic position, and where at least one is based outside of South Africa. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Business Science: Auditing: Research, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Business Management, NQF 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. University of Cape Town 


    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.