SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Business Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
123791  Master of Business Administration 
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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  EXCO 0730/25  2025-03-11  2028-03-11 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-03-11   2032-03-11  

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 purpose of the Master of Business Administration is to develop agile and ethical leadership practices that will enable graduates to both respond to and shape their complex, rapidly changing and innovative business environment. The qualification will prepare learners as transformative business leaders through the foregrounding of critical reflection, thereby enabling professional agency within their practice.

The qualification establishes a foundational understanding of sustainability, ethics and governance through a specifically focused course, and then covers the expected and required range of managerial and leadership knowledge and skills for MBA candidates through compulsory core courses. The core courses are designed to include sustainability, ethics and governance as appropriate, and African and global as well as entrepreneurial and innovation perspectives and context in their delivery.

Underpinning the core courses are two integrative courses, completed through independent study. These prepare learners to undertake rigorous, theoretically informed examination of leadership, related challenges and formulate evidence-based recommendations.

This qualification is designed to equip learners to become business leaders that will become transformative agents, focused on ethics, sustainability and governance, seeking to ensure that business contributes to all stakeholders and broader society, beyond profit for shareholders.

Lastly, learners extend their growth and development based on career objectives or priorities through their choice of electives.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Explore solutions to complex business practice issues using coherent and contextually relevant and responsive theories, frameworks and approaches with due regard to ethical, governance and sustainability principles.
  • Integrate, adapt and apply, with business criticality, various forms of knowledge, and professional and specialist skills to evaluate and solve business practice challenges with due regard to context and culture.
  • Demonstrate enhanced personal, professional and collaborative agency towards leading more inclusive, collegial and transformative business practices.
  • Initiate and develop innovative approaches, solutions, products and services to stimulate, enhance and sustain entrepreneurial activity and processes.

    Rationale:
    The rapidly changing and complex business environment means that a new, updated and fit for purpose Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification is needed. A full review of the existing MBA was undertaken, which included local and international benchmarking and engagement with a broad range of local and international stakeholders and advisors.

    The new MBA qualification pays specific attention to sustainability, ethics and governance as crucial areas of focus for business leadership development, alongside those long recognised as important areas of management. This ensures that future business leaders are equipped as transformative change agents, able to tackle the challenges and opportunities in South Africa and on the African continent. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    RPL is provided for under the institution's policies up to a maximum of 10% candidates per cohort.
    An RPL access route as well as a feeder Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Leadership has been put in place to widen access. The institution supports the government view that RPL constitutes an essential element of the transformation of access and admissions policies intended to increase participation and to broaden access to
    higher education to produce graduates with the skills and competencies necessary to meet the human resource needs of the country.

    Learners involved in non-formal learning activities related to management but do not receive certification such as those undertaken in the workplace, voluntary sector or trade union and in community-based settings will be eligible for RPL. Also, informal learning which took place through life and work experience may be recognised by the institution.

    Senate permits faculties to allow access to the qualification and/or the granting of exemption or full/partial credits towards one or more modules, which have been acquired through non-formal and informal learning.

    Through the recognition of prior learning, the institution will consider all relevant learning, irrespective of mode or place of learning. In seeking recognition under RPL, relevant prior learning must be demonstrated via various documented means, i.e. through the submission of a portfolio demonstrating clear outcomes relevant to the qualification concerned or through the taking of an appropriate examination or assessment. An assessment for the purposes of admission or partial credit towards a deemed qualification will be administered by the institution.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Business Administration Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and Administration, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Levels 8 and 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 35 Credits
  • Managerial and Financial Accounting, 15 Credits.
  • Strategic Talent Management, 10 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 115 Credits:
  • Sustainability, Ethics and Governance in Business, 5 Credits.
  • Strategic Management and Leadership, 10 Credits.
  • Economics in an Emerging Markets Context, 10 Credits.
  • Finance and Investment Decisions, 10 Credits.
  • Technology and Operations Management for a Changing Business Context, 10 Credits.
  • Marketing in a Digital World, 10 Credits.
  • Leadership Quest: The Transformative Professional in Practice, 20 Credits.
  • Applied Research Report, 25 Credits.
  • Doing Business in Africa, 10 Credits.
  • Global Business Culture Experience 5 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9, 30 Credits (Choose three modules)
  • Foreign Elective A, 10 Credits.
  • Foreign Elective B, 10 Credits.
  • Foreign Elective C, 10 Credits.
  • Development and Entrepreneurial Finance, 10 Credits.
  • Business Venture Startups, 10 Credits.
  • Corporate Entrepreneurship, 10 Credits.
  • Social Entrepreneurship Initiatives, 10 Credits.
  • Banking Operations and Financial Institutions Management, 10 Credits.
  • Investment Banking and Primary Markets, 10 Credits.
  • Real Estate Markets and Mortgage Finance, 10 Credits.
  • Emerging Markets and Financial Market Development, 10 Credits.
  • International Finance and Globalisation, 10 Credits.
  • Trading and Securities Selection, 10 Credits.
  • Asset Management and Portfolio Formation, 10 Credits.
  • Derivatives, Debt, and Structured Contracts, 10 Credits.
  • Models, Forecasting, and Risk Management, 10 Credits.
  • Investments, 15 Credits.
  • Systems Thinking in the Digital Economy, 10 Credits.
  • Applied Big Data and Analytics, 10 Credits.
  • Cybersecurity and Risk Management, 10 Credits.
  • Digital Financial Services, 10 Credits.
  • Digital Government, 10 Credits.
  • Digital Commerce, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Explore solutions to complex business practice issues using coherent and contextually relevant and responsive theories, frameworks and approaches with due regard to ethical, governance and sustainability principles.
    2. Integrate, adapt and apply, with business criticality, various forms of knowledge, and professional and specialist skills to evaluate and solve business practice challenges with due regard to context and culture.
    3. Demonstrate enhanced personal, professional and collaborative agency towards leading more inclusive, collegial and transformative business practices.
    4. Initiate and develop innovative approaches, solutions, products and services to stimulate, enhance and sustain entrepreneurial activity and processes.
    5. Communicate and engage confidently, collegially and effectively with diverse communities of varying levels of knowledge, experience and expertise.
    6. Enhance business systems processes and organisational efficiency through the considered selection and application of appropriate digital tools and resources, using appropriate change and risk management strategies.
    7. Critically reflect on the conceptual and contextual aspects of business theory principles to offer ethical, authentic and responsive methods, techniques and approaches to promote organisational change and well-being, economic enhancement and societal transformation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Identify systematic and substantiate conceptual and contextually related differentiation between various business practice theories, frameworks, and approaches.
  • Illustrate appropriateness of solutions to business practice issues.
  • Critically reflect on subscribed ethics, governance, and sustainability values.
  • Illustrate critical thinking, clarity, consistency and coherence in the integration, adaptation and application of knowledge, and professional and specialist skills including research, in the evaluation and resolution of business practice challenges.
  • Apply knowledge to create inclusive evidence, collegial and transformative agency in personal and professional engagements and proposals.
  • Substantiate proposal approaches, solutions, products and services which are clear, theoretically well-informed, integrative, innovative and entrepreneurial in nature.
  • Illustrate appropriate discourse and genre in communications and engagements.
  • Engage in various forms of scholarly communication and dialogue succinctly, coherently and with a relational disposition.> Initiate appropriate engagements that lead debates, discussions, conversations and presentations with and within diverse communities with varying levels of knowledge, experience and expertise.
  • Engage and produce informed research analysis and decision making that is evident in relation to the selection and proposal of emerging business oriented digital tools and resources to enhance organisational efficiency and business systems processes.
  • Apply relevant appraisal and evaluation of conceptual and contextual aspects of business theory principles as a means to offer authentic and transformative solutions and possibilities that aim to promote organisational change and well-being, economic enhancement, and societal transformation.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Integrated assessment will be achieved by a variety of strategies. These include:
  • Tests
  • Group
  • Individual projects
  • Presentations
  • Case studies
  • Assignments, and the completion of integrative summative assessment tasks.

    Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of the learners during their presentations in class. Integrated assessment will be both formative and summative. Formative assessment will take place during seminar and class presentations, discussions and project sessions. Self and peer assessment will contribute to formative assessment.

    Typical Course Assessment will be as follows:
  • Continuous formative assessment in the form of a selection of reading responses, presentations, reflections, tests, case studies and assignments will constitute 50-60% of the final mark.
  • Summative take-home assessment that integrates all aspects of the course will contribute 30-40% of the final mark.
  • Summative reflective analysis activity on sustainability, ethics and governance related leadership solutions to address social, economic and environmental challenges will constitute 10% of the final mark. Discipline-specific requirements will determine the exact mix and composition of assessment tasks. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution name: Warwick Business School
    Qualification title: Master of Business Management
    Duration: One year

    Entry requirements:
  • 2.1 degree at Undergraduate level from a UK university, or overseas equivalent from a top-performing University

    Purpose/Rationale
    The Master of Business Management focuses on developing the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful manager in the business world, allowing learners to tailor their studies with elective choices including specializations like entrepreneurship.
    This will help learners accelerate their development of leadership roles in large companies, as entrepreneurs, or in making an impact in mid-size firms and family enterprises.

    Qualification structure
    Modules:
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Corporate Reporting & Decision Making
  • Operations Management, comparable to Technology and Operations Management for a Changing Business Context
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing, comparable to Marketing in a Digital World
  • Innovation & Strategic Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership Plus
  • Strategic consultancy project
  • Leadership Plus Dissertation, comparable to Leadership Quest: The Transformative Professional in Practice

    Similarities:
  • The Warwick Business School (WBS) and the South African (SA) qualifications are offered over one year.
  • The SA qualification is designed to develop agile and ethical leadership practices that will enable graduates to both respond to and shape their complex, rapidly changing and innovative business environment.
  • Similarly, the WBS qualification is designed to help learners accelerate their development of leadership roles in large companies, as entrepreneurs, or in making an impact in mid-size firms and family enterprises.
  • Both qualifications share similar modules such as Leadership Plus Dissertation, Leadership Quest: The Transformative Professional in Practice, marketing, operations management, and strategic management.

    Differences:
  • The SA qualification accepts learners who have completed an honours degree in the relevant field, whereas the WBS qualification accepts learners who have completed an undergraduate degree in the relevant field.

    County: Nigeria
    Institution name: Lagos Business School
    Qualification title: Master of Business Administration (Executive Modular)
    Duration: Two years

    Entry requirements:
  • Minimum of second-class lower degree from a recognised university,
  • Post-university work experience: A minimum of 3 years post qualification work experience (including NYSC)

    Purpose/Rationale
    The qualification is designed to cover a comprehensive understanding of conducting business in emerging economies, with a focus on Nigeria and Africa. The qualification is taught through practical learning using real-life African case studies and interactive sessions between participants and facilitators.

    The rapidly changing world requires business leaders to understand global trends and opportunities, as a change in one economy can cause ripple effects in other seemingly unrelated economies. Our Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) network provides business leaders with knowledge transfer, which enables them to understand global trends and opportunities that exist.

    This programme is for high-potential executives, senior managers, and entrepreneurs who want to accelerate their careers or businesses significantly, and network with top executives across Africa. The EMBA programme is a life-changing experience that equips learners with the relevant business management knowledge, skills, and new ways of thinking required to compete effectively in any market.

    Course structure
    Modules:
  • Corporate Financial Accounting, comparable to Managerial and Financial Accounting
  • Business Ethics, comparable to Sustainability, Ethics and Governance in Business
  • Management Communication
  • Human Behaviour in Organizations I
  • Economic Environment of Global Business
  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Cost & Management Accounting
  • Introduction to Financial Management 1
  • Operations Management, comparable to Operations Management for a Changing Business Context
  • Strategic Management I, comparable to Strategic Talent Management
    Similarities:
  • The Lagos Business School (LBS) and the South African (SA) qualification aims to create sustainability, ethics and governance as crucial factors in business leadership.
  • Both qualifications share similar modules such as Strategic Management, Strategic Talent Management, Operations Management, Business Ethics and Sustainability, Ethics and Governance in Business.
  • The SA qualification seeks to ensure that future business leaders are equipped as transformative change agents, able to tackle the challenges and opportunities in South Africa and on the African continent.
  • Similarly, the LBS qualification is designed to cover a comprehensive understanding of conducting business in emerging economies, with a focus on Nigeria and Africa.
  • Both qualifications have compulsory and elective modules in their study.

    Differences:
  • The LBS qualification is offered over two years, whereas the SA qualification is offered over two years.
  • The LBS qualification accepts learners who have three years of managerial work experience. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Business and Management Sciences, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business Science, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business Leadership, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Administration, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Business Administration, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, NQF Level 10.

    Diagonal Articulation:
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.