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
97383  Master of Business Administration 
ORIGINATOR
Monash South Africa 
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  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The coursework qualification will require a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence as well as the ability to relate knowledge to the resolution of complex problems in the business domain.

Learners will be able to:
  • Deal systematically and creatively with complex issues.
  • Critically appraise analytical writing.
  • Use data and information to make sound judgements.
  • Clearly communicate their conclusions.
  • Autonomously plan and implement tasks.
  • Continue to advance their knowledge and skills relevant to the world of business.

    At the exit point of this qualification, learners will also be able to demonstrate the following:
  • Displaying an entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Achieving personal societal impact.
  • Developing a personal and professional ethical compass.
  • Integrating a stakeholder approach to business decision making.
  • Appreciation of the challenges and opportunities of globalisation including the need to enhance global communications skills and cultural awareness.
  • Facilitating personal and professional development including soft skills and communication skills.
  • Enhancing strategic thinking.
  • Develop scientific business research skills through undertaking an individual research project.

    Rationale:
    The managerial skills shortage has a widespread effect on the country. It affects the level of economic productivity and reduces the country's capacity to develop a knowledgeable society. This, in turn, affects the country's functioning in the current globalised business environment and global economy. This qualification provides learners with the skills, knowledge and insights to reach a deeper understanding of management. Furthermore, it enables an integrative, holistic understanding of business in the global economy. MBA learners will develop a greater appreciation of the challenges and opportunities provided by a globalised environment and the need to improve global communication skills and cultural awareness.

    The typical learners in this qualification will be developed in terms of intellectual vitality and they will demonstrate leadership potential. The learner should have sound analytical skills, creative instincts, and strong performance in managing programmes, processes, or people. Qualified learners may take jobs with large corporations or with small or mid-size companies or non-profit organisations. Other career options include consulting positions or entrepreneurship. There are numerous MBA job opportunities available in nearly every business industry imaginable. The type of job a learner can get is often dependent on work experience, and individual skill-sets. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Prospective learners may gain access to the qualification by means of RPL. Formal and informal training/education as well as work experience may be considered provided the learner demonstrates competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary for admission to the qualification. RPL will be done on a case by case basis and prospective learners' skills will be assessed in an integrated manner.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have the following in order to be considered for admission:
  • A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree.
    Or
  • A relevant Bachelors' Degree at NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A relevant Postgraduate Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 11 modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits
    Modules:
  • Business strategy for sustainable competitive advantage, 15 Credits.
  • Research methodology, 15 Credits.
  • Research dissertation, 30 Credits.
  • Leading in a Dynamic Era, 15 Credits.
  • Economic decision making, 15 Credits.
  • Creativity, Innovation, and Foresight, 15 Credits.
  • Money and the Firm, 15 Credits.
  • Managing the Globally Diverse Firm, 15 Credits.
  • Accounting Measurement for Leaders, 15 Credits.
  • Establishing and Cultivating Customer Markets, 15 Credits.

    Elective modules: Choose one from the following:
  • Entrepreneurship, 15 Credits.
  • Project Management, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply integrative and critical thinking skills in the business environment.
    2. Critique the existing body of knowledge by applying research skills in undertaking research activities.
    3. Analyse organisational decisions from an ethical, legal and socially responsible angle.
    4. Give a multifaceted exposition of management issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective.
    5. Acquire a philosophical approach that can create continuous learning and growth in the self, the people and the organisation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Concrete and abstract problems in the business environment using evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments are identified, analysed and critiqued.
  • Academic/professional work is used to cater for a range of audiences and the academic/professional discourse is used appropriately to effectively present and communicate the findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A dissertation that reflects an in-depth understanding of one's management area is written.
  • Data is collected, analysed and interpreted.
  • Research report with appropriate recommendations is written and communicated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Knowledge of the economy and functional areas of management (marketing, human resources, finance production, etc.) to ensure ethical and socially responsible enterprises is applied.
  • Appropriate analytical techniques are used in appropriate case studies to make ethical, legal and socially responsible decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Knowledge of management practice and the interconnectedness across management disciplines is demonstrated.
  • Case studies with the aim to discover the underlying theoretical are analysed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Exploratory approaches to encounter personal responses and progression within personal, community and organisational contexts are applied.
  • The independent and self-critical learner is aware of their impact on others and is reflective on own and others' functioning in order to improve practice and continuing professional development.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This qualification is based on an integrated system of assessment, where learners are assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the period of learning. Both formative and summative assessment methods are used. The components of the final mark are determined separately for each module. In terms of providing feedback to learners, this is provided separately for each module and contains detailed feedback. Included with the feedback report, learners are informed of both positive and negative aspects of their formative and summative assessments. This is done in such a way as to enable learners to learn from their first attempts, and to be able to improve on their performance in subsequent assessments. To affect this, the feedback provided is detailed and addresses the outcomes of the specific module in question.

    The capstone unit, Business strategy for sustainable competitive advantage, is designed to integrate the abilities acquired in the core and elective units.
    Continuous assessment in this qualification is provided through:
  • Portfolios.
  • Simulations.
  • Workplace assessments and practical workbooks.
  • Written assignments.
  • Case studies and case presentations.
  • Competency evaluations of clinical skills.
  • Face to face contact with learners.
  • Individual Reflections.
  • Shared Reflections.
  • Group Discussions.
  • Written research proposal.
  • Monthly reading groups.
  • Regular feedback on draft chapters.
  • Examination of the research dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is similar to internationally offered qualifications. The qualification is generic enough to be relevant to most business sector organisations and specific enough to respond to the needs of South African business. This MBA with both online and face to face contact, places it in a unique league in the African context. This MBA will provide the African learners with a unique opportunity to become globally intelligent within the business context.

    Existing MBA's considered:

    The London Business School:
    The London Business School envisages the following outcomes for their MBA:
  • The world-class London Business School Executive MBA transforms ambitious and committed mid-career managers into senior and influential business men and women.

    The London Business School MBA is a full-time qualification whereby learners can choose from a variety of elective formats, including 5 or 10 week, modular or block week courses. Learners can also apply for an international exchange and can attend traditional internships and partake in different programmes and Summer Schools. Modules in the qualification are Global Leadership Assessment for managers, Leadership Launch and Understanding General Management.

    The Harvard Business School (HBS) (United States of America):
    The Harvard Business School says the following:

    The Harvard Business School uses case method courses, field projects and multimedia simulations as a few examples in the delivery of their MBA.

    The qualification enables the learners to integrate their knowledge, skills and tools learned in field work. The qualification also provides the learners with a learning experience that integrates the functional skills that learners have learned into an understanding of the firm as a total enterprise.

    Stanford Business School (United States of America):
    The Stanford Business School welcomes prospective learners with the following words:
    This qualification targets learners who believe that the organisational leadership is a noble pursuit. Effective, outstanding business and social-sector leaders have a greater potential for influence than ever before in history. Year one is seen as building learners' general management knowledge and to be able to gain global experience.

    Conclusion:
    The comparability exercise reveals that this qualification compare very well with the cited above in terms of purpose. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification may provide access to a cognate Doctoral Degree at the discretion of the offering institution. Horizontal articulation may occur between this and other at NQF Level 9 cognate qualifications at the discretion of the offering institution.
    Possible horizontal articulation:
  • Master of Business Science: Economics, at NQF Level 9.

    Possible Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Business Administration: Business Management, at NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    The accreditation of this qualification was transferred from Monash SA to the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) in November 2018. 

    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. The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 


    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.