SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Business Administration

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
94844	Master of Business Administration
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University
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	192	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0733/25	2024-06-30	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

The purpose of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) is to develop competent and skilful business leaders with the personal competencies and managerial and leadership capabilities to deal sustainably with unique challenges in a dynamic and competitive business environment.

The candidates will acquire theoretical and critical thinking frameworks for management practice and the integration of these competencies in management thinking and decision-making.

The target candidates include technical professionals, mid-to-senior-level managers, early-to-mid career professionals, entrepreneurs, and non-professionals within various sectors.

Candidates want to complete the Master of Business Administration acumen and develop leadership competencies.

The electives provide the candidate an opportunity to add the best value to this base by enrolling for those electives that will contribute the most towards his/her development.

On the completion of the Master of Business Administration, the candidate shall develop the knowledge, cognitive, professional, and general management competencies required to fulfil their role within the business. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Knowledge: Analyse and critically relate theoretical concepts to the practice of management. Appraise future environmental influences on management in the various sectors of the business context and develop a competitive strategic response. Develop and apply knowledge at an advanced level of organisations, their management, and their business models.

Cognitive: Develop problem-solving skills of managers and provide an opportunity to demonstrate these skills in an organisational context. Demonstrate the multi-disciplinary skills necessary to be effective and efficient managers in a national and international context. Critically analyse and evaluate information that will inform good business and management practice

Professional: Influence and inform the process of organisational change. Contribute effectively as members and leaders of management teams. Relate financial techniques and strategies to management decision-making and planning. Demonstrate a high level of competence and creativity in applying theory to practice in the context of business management

General: Demonstrate the skills and competencies of effective managers. Demonstrate creative and innovative thinking and the ability to address multi-disciplinary issues and problems. Adopt an analytical, creative, and ethical approach to decision-making and problem-solving. Communicate ideas on management practice clearly, demonstrating critical and coherent thinking

A qualified candidate will be able to demonstrate Nelson Mandela University's graduate attributes and key occupational tasks, including but not limited to the following:

Foundational Knowledge and Literacies

Core disciplinary depth

Inter-disciplinary breadth and synthesis

Knowledge creation

Multiple literacies (academic, digital, numeracy, civic, etc)

Transformative competencies

Learning Innovations and Competencies

Intellectual curiosity

Critical thinking

Innovation and creativity

Communication

Collaboration

Life and Career Skills

Professionalism and integrity

Resilience and persistence

Adaptive expertise

Socially conscious, responsible global citizens

Progressive agency

Professionalism and integrity

Resilience and persistence

Adaptive expertise

Socially conscious, responsible global citizens

Occupational Tasks

Strategic Analysis and Business Planning

Financial Management and Capital Allocation

Marketing, Growth, and Customer Insight

Operations and Supply Chain Optimisation

People Leadership and Organisational Development

Data Driven Decision Support and Technology Integration

Governance, Risk, Sustainability and Ethics

External Stakeholder and Consulting Engagement

In addition, candidate attributes include the candidate's ability to integrate analysis with leadership, turning data into strategy, strategy into operational plans, and plans into measurable results.

Rationale:
The rationale for the qualification is based on the increasing need for individuals who can lead organisations in a national and international competitive business environment. Such individuals should possess analytical and critical minds who are forward thinkers and good decision makers who are sought after by leading companies and organisations. To respond to the demand of the businesses worldwide, and in South Africa, and particularly in the Eastern Cape, this qualification aims to produce candidates who are not only equipped with strong business management skills and competencies, but who are also capable leaders, specifically within the emerging world and in the African context.

It is from experience, nationally and internationally, that a Master of Business Administration qualification adds tremendous value to the professional development and marketability, especially of middle managers.

This qualification is designed to:

Respond to the international and South African need for career developmental progress towards an advanced generalist qualification in management and leadership for those employees already holding a degree with significant relevant work experience.

Equip candidates with the ability and skills to deal effectively with the challenges of the national and international competitive business environment.

Prepare candidates for leadership and transformational roles in business.

Candidates accessing this qualification should demonstrate specialist knowledge to critique current research or practices, as well as advanced scholarship in Business Administration; evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of Business Administration and related fields. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate a command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex problems; use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within Business Administration and related fields; and have an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specialised context.

Furthermore, the candidate should have the ability to make autonomous ethical decisions and the ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in a specific context; demonstrate the ability to design and implement a strategy to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in an area of specialisation to produce significant insights; use resources of academic and professional or occupational discourses to communicate and defend substantial ideas; use a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to communicate with a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise; make interventions at an appropriate level within a system, based on an understanding of hierarchical relations within the system, and the ability to address the intended and unintended consequences of interventions. Lastly, the candidates should have the ability to develop his or her own learning strategies and can interact effectively within the learning or professional group as a means of enhancing learning; and operate independently, take full responsibility for his or her own work, and account for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices.

An application may be made to articulate into a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or other equivalent business-related doctorate programmes.

The Master of Business Administration has a distinct advantage compared to other similar qualifications in that the programme is focused on leadership development, incorporating Mandela's leadership acumen. The qualification draws candidates from various provinces, industries, and professions that enrich the student experience. The qualification offers tailored flexibility to the professional candidate with its face-to-face and block release offerings.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access:

Candidates who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal, and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.
RPL for exemption from modules

Candidates may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a candidate to be exempted from a module, the candidate needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.
RPL for credit:

Candidates may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal, and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

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?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 160 Credits:

Leading Self and Others, 10 Credits.

Organisational Behaviour and Human Capital, 10 Credits.

Data Analytics for Business Intelligence, 10 Credits.

Corporate Finance and Financial Strategy, 10 Credits.

Marketing Strategy and Consumer Insights, 10 Credits.

Strategic Management and Competitive Advantage, 10 Credits.

Operations and Supply Chain Management, 10 Credits.

Leading for Impact, 10 Credits.

Global Economics and Macroeconomic Policy, 10 Credits.

Global Business and Emerging Market Strategy, 10 Credits.

Capstone Research Project, including Research Design and Planning, 60 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 9, 20 Credits (select two elective modules):

Data Science for Managers, 10 Credits

Management of Technology, 10 Credits

Entrepreneurship, 10 Credits

Project Management, 10 Credits

Sustainable Development, 10 Credits

Futures Studies, 10 Credits, 10 Credits

LEAN Enterprise Management, 10 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply and integrate advanced business principles, knowledge and competencies across business disciplines, specifically to evaluate problems and construct and implement innovative, creative and sustainable business solutions.
2. Apply and integrate business and strategic decisions effectively at a senior level in a global as well as a local context.
3. Evaluate and re-design organisations through strategic leadership, intellectual rigor and by applying professional ethical values.
4. Critically analyse and synthesize information and data that will inform innovative business and management decisions.
5. Interpret and communicate ideas on management practice based on critical and coherent thinking.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply specialist theoretical knowledge and fundamental business concepts and principles to address complex and challenging problems.

Evaluate and critique management theories.

Management and related business disciplines are integrated to develop a macro vision of the management profession

Complex unstructured business problems are analysed, synthesised, and resolved.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply strategic theories and frameworks in a business context.

Formulate successful strategic decisions.

Execute successful strategic decisions.

Adapt successful strategic decisions to a changing national and international environment.

Effectively implement business decisions in a global, as well as emerging and African context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Lead and manage sustainable organisational change.

Demonstrate ethical leadership.

Demonstrate intellectual rigour through critical and analytical thinking.

Demonstrate management of group dynamics and effective teamwork.

Create a motivating climate through innovative integration of theories.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Business decisions were sound and timeous, based on available data, and were made.

Follow a scientific research process was ed to provide creative yet practical solutions to business problems.

Integrate cross-functional data (e.g., finance, marketing, operations, HR) to generate holistic insights.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Effectively communicated business decisions.

Appropriately produce a structured research report.

Communicate ideas clearly, persuasively, and professionally across various formats (e.g., reports, presentations, executive summaries).

Integrated Assessment
Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for the candidates to show that they can integrate concepts, ideas, and actions across the qualification to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent with the purpose of the learning qualification. Integrated assessment will show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the exit level outcomes.

Integrated assessment will judge the quality of the observable performance and the quality of the reasoning that lies behind it. Assessment tools will encourage candidates to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance.

Assessment for this module is designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's ability to engage critically and professionally with advanced management concepts. Throughout the module, candidates will be assessed through a variety of methods that encourage both individual reflection and collaborative engagement. These include individual assignments, group assignments, tests, formal examinations, and a portfolio of evidence, and end-of-module assessments, which showcase their journey, reflections, and applied work.

Formative Assessment:

Business simulations as a basis on which to provide formative feedback on knowledge gaps, skills application, and possible ways of improvement

Research assignments to provide formative feedback on different aspects of the candidates' learning

Other examples include.

Individual projects and assignments

Group projects and assignments

Case study analyses and presentations

Summative Assessment:

Examinations:
Open book (not testing memory, testing higher-order assessment of models and frameworks applied in real-world critical context.) Business leaders rarely work from memory alone; they use a wide range of resourcesreports, data, legal documents, and digital toolsto make decisions. It simulates authentic workplace environments, encouraging candidates to apply, rather than merely recall, information.

Research project
The research project will integrate knowledge from all different aspects of the qualification, and it is expected that what is learnt in the modules will be utilised and applied in the project.

The above summative opportunities will be used to determine and grade a candidate's ability to demonstrate the learning outcomes.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The South African (SA) Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed to meet the international standards for business education, as defined by the three globally recognised accreditation bodies: AMBA (Association of MBAs), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The qualification's purpose and outcomes are aligned with the generic descriptors and expectations set by these bodies, ensuring that the qualification is globally benchmarked, intellectually rigorous, and professionally relevant.

The SA qualification has been compared against three leading MBA qualifications:

Maastricht MBA - Executive (Netherlands)

INSEAD Master of Business Administration (France/Singapore)

Henley Business School Executive MBA (UK)

These institutions were selected based on their triple accreditation status, their emphasis on responsible leadership and sustainability, and their flexible delivery models that cater to working professionalsfeatures that closely align with the SA qualification.

The SA qualification comprises 12 core modules, 2 electives, and a substantial applied business research project. The core modules provide candidates with theoretical foundations and critical thinking frameworks essential for effective management practice. These are integrated into strategic decision-making and leadership development. The elective modules allow Learners to tailor their learning experience by selecting topics that best support their individual career goals and development needs.

The qualification is delivered in a flexible, part-time format, enabling mid-career professionals to balance academic study with professional responsibilities. This design reflects the delivery models of the benchmarked international qualifications, which also support work-study balance over a two- to three-year period.

A significant differentiator of the SA qualification is its emphasis on leadership development, with a strong focus on cultivating ethical, responsible, and values-driven leadership. This aligns with the university's broader mission, inspired by the legacy of Nelson Mandela, promoting leadership that is socially conscious and globally relevant.

In terms of academic structure, the SA qualification adheres to the 180-credit framework commonly used in South Africa and the UK. A significant portion of the credit load60 creditsis allocated to the applied business research project, reflecting a commitment to academic inquiry and practical relevance.

This is consistent with the research emphasis found in benchmarked qualifications:

Maastricht MBA allocates 18 ECTS to its Business Consulting Project and Research Methods, representing approximately 26% of the total credit load.

INSEAD includes a capstone course focused on sustainability and strategic integration.

Henley Business School offers a 40-60 credit Management Research Challenge, allowing Learners to choose between a dissertation, an integrated business project, or a group capstone.

The SA qualification also supports global engagement without requiring full-time international relocation. Like Henley and Maastricht, which operate Africa-based centres and workshops, the SA qualification attracts culturally diverse cohorts and offers opportunities for international collaboration and exchange. This ensures that Learners benefit from a globally informed curriculum while remaining rooted in the African context.

In summary, the SA qualification is a robust, internationally benchmarked qualification that prepares graduates for strategic leadership roles in complex, dynamic environments. Its alignment with global standards, its emphasis on ethical leadership, and its flexible design for working professionals contribute meaningfully to the development of responsible, innovative, and globally competent business leaders, in line with both national priorities and international best practice.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Business Administration in Organisational Leadership, NQF Level 9.

Master of Business Administration in Education Management, NQF Level 9

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

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015.

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.	Nelson Mandela University