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 in Business Administration

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
36096	Master in Business Administration
ORIGINATOR
Business School of the Netherlands South Africa (Pty) Ltd
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		Finance, Economics and Accounting
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	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 "Registered"		SAQA 0249/03	2003-08-13	2006-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2007-06-30		2010-06-30

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

The purpose of the MBA is to offer managers a professional qualification to enhance their managerial capabilities, improving their business acumen and to adopt a culture of life-long learning and continuous improvement.

Rationale for the qualification

To provide executive management education to corporate and public institutions in South Africa:

Using and promoting Action Learning as a methodology

Using action research in order to enhance continuous improvement in business processes; and

To promote the principles of life-long learning.

Action learning is a highly relevant approach to executive management education and development and is internationally recognised as a highly effective methodology.The action learning MBA provides managers the opportunity to work and study, using their working environment to identify learning and problem-solving opportunities to improve and deepen their understanding of various management disciplines.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

This qualification assumes that the learner is competent in the language of instruction of the provider, have the ability to communicate both in writing and verbally, have basic personal computer literacy, and a theoretical and practical professional and academic knowledge related to general business management disciplines.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL):

The institution has an Accreditation of Previous Experiential Learning (APEL) guideline and workbook. However, prospective students are advised to go to a professional institution to do the accreditation and on the basis of these results the institution will make a decision.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Exit levels outcomes are grouped together into three components, namely academic research, empirical research and action orientation. These are representing eight learning areas, which together reflect the competence of a professional manager. The critical outcomes are integrated into the exit level outcomes.

The eight learning areas are:

Action Learning,

Problem-solving and Research Methodology

Human Resources Management

Marketing Management

Operations Management

Finance Management

Information Management

Strategic Management

International Business Management

Component 1:
Competences related to fundamental learning as per each individual core courses.

Exit level 1:
The focus is on the competence of the manager in reading, writing and speaking the language of instruction in ways that facilitate their own academic learning.

Competence is evident when learners are able to:
a. Collect and find relevant literature using various sources such a books, journals and the world wide web to assist their studies
b. Read and interpret scholarly and academic texts/books critically, integrate and use the knowledge in solving their own managerial challenges and problems.
c. Submit professional written assignments that are assessed against the integrated assessment criteria
d. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the learning areas forming the academic content of the programme, which goes beyond the demand of their immediate working environment (systems thinking ability).

Component 2:
The focus is on the ability of the learner to conduct independent business related research which will lead to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Exit level outcome 2.1:

Demonstrate an understanding of the various research techniques, which are available within business contexts

Interpretation of numerical and statistical information in the various learning areas.

Applying statistical data, research results and interpretation to solve and improve business and management challenges.

Component 3:
The focus is here on the learner`s ability to compile action plans and steps, allocating responsibilities, taking action and implementing change.

Exit level 3.1:

Demonstrate ability and willingness to take action by compiling action plans and steps.

Allocating responsibilities and time frames to functional areas to realise action plans.

Review and improve action plans to implement change and improvement.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is based on attendance, proof of evidence of individual preparation through the submission of a personal learning logbook, the submission of an extensive Action Learning Project (ALP) for each core discipline and an assignment based on reflection, Evaluative Assessment of Management Learning (EAML).

The dissertation must also be submitted which is orally defended and externally examined and moderated.

Integrated assessment are based on:

The ability to solve problems in a clear and logical manner

A demonstrated ability to use and apply the correct research techniques

An understanding of the importance to take actions on decisions

The ability to verbally and non-verbally convey ones thoughts in a professional manner through both oral examination and the submission of research reports.

The assessment criteria and evidence requirements per ALP and each core module are as follows:

Clarity of problem identification, the ability to write a detailed report and to convey one`s thought in a lucid and clear manner, professional and technical correctness of submitting a research report.

Demonstration understanding research techniques and the use of those technique(s) by motivating the appropriate use of the correct research technique.

A detailed analysis of the relevant theory related to that specific topic, demonstrating understanding and a breath and depth of knowledge on that subject.

Identify the most appropriate course of action in relation to the evidence provide by available information on the topic and through own research.

Reflect on the learning and performance of all the different core courses.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This MBA is on equivalent level as the MBA offered in the Netherlands by BSN/Netherlands and which the Dutch Validation Council accredits. It is also equivalent in credit points as required by the International Management Centres (IMC), which is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) of the USA.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Yes, with Honours and M-degrees in business related fields such as HR, Marketing etc.

MODERATION OPTIONS

BSN uses a system of central marking, using a group of markers. A designated expert marker in that specific business discipline marks the assignment. Action Learning Projects are crosschecked at an ad hoc basis by other markers.

Criteria for appointment:

Internal assessors must have a Masters degree or higher qualification related to business studies.

External moderator must have a doctorate degree.

Minimum of five years business and/or consulting experience.

Must be knowledgeable about action learning, action research and other research paradigms.

External moderators must also serve as external moderator for other institutions in order to benchmark.

Internal Assessors must be introduced to action learning, action learning projects and assessment criteria.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

All assessors must have had exposure to management education and training programmes at masters level, preferably at MBA level.

NOTES

N/AThese 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.

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