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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master: Business Administration: General 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
36078  Master: Business Administration: General 
ORIGINATOR
MANCOSA Pty (Ltd) 
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  200  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 EXCO 0415/23  2021-07-01  2023-04-18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-04-18   2027-04-18  

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 
The Master of Business Administration: General is a post-graduate qualification that provides learners with comprehensive advanced theoretical knowledge and applied skills in all facets of business and management.

The programme aims to develop an in-depth conceptual understanding, synthesis and critical application of strategic perspectives of management in a national and international context.

It enables learners to provide innovative strategic leadership and management in corporate organisations in the context of a rapidly changing, information-rich global marketplace. Graduates are able to undertake research and communicate the results of such research.

It develops learners already occupying management positions for advanced and specialised professional employment.

Rationale

The Master of Business Administration, General:
  • Contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development in management for social and economic development.
  • Empowers learners with advanced management skills and competencies necessary to function, progress and provide strategic leadership in corporate and business environments.
  • Attempts to satisfy the demand for advanced managerial and professional skills in the Southern African Development Community.
  • Promotes equity by increasing the representation of qualified Black persons, especially women, at senior academic and administrative positions in organisations and institutions.
  • Recognises and caters for the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment.
  • Advances research activity to contribute to technological improvement and social development.
  • Increasing graduate enrolments at the Masters level in higher education.
  • Prepares learners for further doctoral and senior post-graduate study in a specialised management related area. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • The learner is proficient in the language of instruction.
  • The learner is able to use quantitative techniques to evaluate research and make work based decisions.
  • The learner is able to conduct business research appropriately and effectively.
  • The learner is able to work independently.
  • The learner has obtained the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF level 7.
  • The learner has completed the MANCOSA Diploma in Management Studies programme and has imbibed all the learning`s therein.

    Recognition of prior learning

    This qualification may be obtained in part through the recognition of prior learning.

    In the cases where prior learning is to be recognised for purposes of access to the qualification:

    1. It is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of an examination of their curriculum vitae (CV)

    2. Such `non-standard` candidates will be selected on the recommendation of a senior manager from their organisations/ companies.

    3. Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess the applicants. Some of the key criteria that will be used in evaluating `non-standard` applicants include:
  • The applicants` motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies.
  • Job description, covering relevant area of work, giving examples of tasks carried out, possibly supplying references.
  • The nature and level of life/ work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience.
  • Details of in-company short courses, length, content of material covered, standard achieved.
  • The clarity of the applicant`s educational goals and objectives.
  • The extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the programme.

    Where prior learning is recognized for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African higher education institutions. The amount of `specific` credit granted is dependent on the match between prior learning and award towards which the intended programme leads.

    Credits may only be accumulated for modules, which are prescribed within the structure of the named award. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    An award of the Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA) will be conferred when the following conditions are satisfied:

    1. The candidate was an enrolled and registered student of or at the College at the time of his or her assessment for an award and was not in debt to the College.
    2. Details of the candidate`s full name, date of birth, sex, programme and award have been registered by the College.
    3. It has been confirmed that the candidate has completed a programme of study approved by the Academic Board as leading to the award being recommended.
    4.The award has been recommended by a Board of Examiners convened, constituted and acting under regulations approved by the Academic Board and including members approved as external examiners for the programme.
    5. The recommendation of the award has been signed by the Chair of the Board of Examiners and by the Examinations Officer, confirming that the assessments have been carried out in accordance with the College`s requirements. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    A learner attaining the Master of Business Administration: General will be able to:
  • Display a breadth of knowledge of management in general and of a specialist area in particular.
  • Interpret and critically evaluate evidence objectively
  • Display sound judgement and decision-making capabilities in business.
  • Make effective and appropriate use of information technology.
  • Analyse and solve complex managerial problems.
  • Demonstrate a range of interpersonal skills.
  • Display advanced information processing and research skills
  • Manage investment portfolios
  • Solve marketing and business problems in an international context
  • Display ethical behaviour in a corporate management context
  • Function as an organisational development (change) agent
  • Utilise advanced quantitative methods to aid decision making
  • Display research and communication skills

    Specific Level Outcomes (for each Module):

    1. Investment & portfolio management

    Credits points: 20

    At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
  • Analyse the prospects of an industry in relation to the underlying trend of the economy as a whole
  • Analyse and interpret the financial statements of a company with the objective of determining the fair value of its share price
  • Improve the risk-return trade-of of a portfolio by security selection and market timing
  • Evaluate the performance of portfolios by using equilibrium pricing relationships such as the capital asset pricing model and the option-pricing model.

    2. International marketing

    Credit points: 20

    At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
  • Describe the issues and constraints involved in marketing in an international environment.
  • Generate and critically evaluate solutions to international marketing problems.
  • Explain the theoretical concepts underpinning international marketing issues and decisions.

    3. Business professional ethics

    Credits points: 20

    At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a holistic understanding of the role and nature of business activity.
  • Appraise the value (and limitations) of bringing ethical theory and insights into managerial decision making.
  • Reflect personally on one`s own values, thereby evaluating and clarifying the level of integrity at which the learner may strive to lead his/her professional life.

    4. Managing strategic change

    Credit points: 20

    At the end of this module learners should be able to:
  • Describe the change management implications of new corporate strategies.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of processes for the management of change.
  • Discuss the role of HRM function in managing change.
  • Evaluate the role of operational change and its contribution to corporate and other functional change.
  • Evaluate the changes that are necessary in the operation of organisations and proposed implementation programmes.
  • Identify or propose operational change programmes in the organisation.

    5. International business

    Credits points: 20

    At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
  • Explain a framework for analysing an organisation`s business environment on a national and global scale.
  • Be aware of the types of information needed for environmental analysis and the sources of it.
  • Describe the importance of analysing the business environment for corporate strategy, nationally and globally.

    6. Management science

    Credit points: 20

    At the end of this module the learner will be able to:
  • Use a framework and be able to choose an appropriate management method for different problem contexts.
  • Apply methods and approaches to aid project planning.
  • Be able to choose an appropriate forecasting method.

    7. Corporate business policy

    Credits points: 20

    After studying this section, the learner will be able to:
  • Explain the concepts of strategy in an organisational context.
  • Apply these concepts within a current business scenario.

    8. Dissertation

    Credit points: 100

    Out of the process of completing the dissertation, learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a sound grasp of business research methods.
  • Undertake a literature review.
  • Demonstrate an ability to undertake field research, collate data and analyse these to uncover patterns and themes.
  • Display a sound understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics where these are utilised in a quantitative study and show good understanding of valid methodology for analysis of qualitative data.
  • Display a good grasp of academic style of writing and presentation.
  • Make an oral presentation of their findings and justify their conclusions and recommendations. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Specific management issues are analysed in a general management context
  • A range of books and journals is consulted and information is critically evaluated in a comparative context
  • Deadlines are met under time constraints by task prioritisation
  • Future trends are forecasted
  • Anticipated future tasks and problems are addressed by strategic planning

    Integrated assessment

    Assessment centres around:
  • The extent to which the learner has grasped the concepts of each module.
  • The application of Management theory to a practical context
  • The methods of research used and its relation to theory
  • The balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification
  • The development of the leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities of the learner
  • The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas
  • The development of critical thinking and advanced problem solving

    The Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules.

    These assessment methods include:
  • Case studies
  • Report writing
  • Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination
  • Research and work based assignments
  • Dissertation
  • Self assessments activities in the course material 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    MANCOSA was established in the post 1994 period with the view of addressing the critical shortage of access to management education in South Africa. Between 1995 and 2000 MANC0SA was engaged in providing Private Higher Education to South Africans in association with its former partner the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College a College of the University of Brunel, in the United Kingdom.

    The Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College is listed as an accredited state recognised institution in the United Kingdom. During this 5-year period MANCOSA successfully delivered tuition and academic and administrative support to over 120 learners enrolled on the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Master in Business Administration : General Programme.

    The outcomes and assessment criteria, the degree of difficulty and the notional learning time of this qualification has been benchmarked against MANCOSA`S former international partner, the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College and best national and international practice.

    This Programme has also been accredited by the Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA) 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • The MANCOSA Master of Business Administration:
    General programme Degree builds on the MANCOSA Diploma in Management Studies Programme.
  • There is no direct entry to this programme.
  • The MANCOSA Master of Business Administration:
    General programme articulates vertically into the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at other institutions. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    MANCOSA appoints external examiners and moderators to validate the student`s examination and final assessments. The Examinations Board is the final decision making body that is responsible for the awarding of the qualification. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    To qualify as an assessor an individual must:
  • Generally have a Higher Education qualification at least one level higher than the course being assessed.
  • Be appropriately qualified and experienced as assessors.
  • Generally be the tutor responsible for that particular module.
  • Be in the possession of qualifications that are relevant to the programme.

    The following criteria is used for appointing external examiners and moderators:
  • Their experience of examining this programme or its equivalent.
  • Their independence from MANCOSA and from the programmes team.
  • Their expertise in the subject area.
  • Their scholastic contribution to the field.

    External examiners and moderators are required to have a qualification at least 1 level higher than the programme being assessed. They also require at least 2 years experience lecturing in the programme or its equivalent. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    These qualifications will be realigned to what the CHE has termed Category C qualifications to comply with the HEQSF. 

    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.