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
97385  Master of Business Administration 
ORIGINATOR
University of 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:
This Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a general management qualification for learners with significant relevant work experience, which will contribute to their learning, personal and career development.

The primary purpose of this MBA Degree is to prepare learners to become innovative and dynamic managers in a broad range of organisations, including entrepreneurial organisations and private and public institutions. Furthermore, the purpose is to foster strategic, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking in a global business context. Finally, the qualification will enable learners to solve complex business problems through critical analysis of dynamic and global business environments.

Upon successful completion of the qualification the learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic knowledge base of business administration as a broad field, as well as the ability to apply the knowledge base to a wide range of business-related contexts.
  • Measure, manage and lead the organisation's performance on the triple bottom line (social, economic and environmental performance) through effective strategic management.
  • Manage people in the organisation effectively.
  • Demonstrate a high level of the specialised knowledge and skills in the chosen area(s) of specialisation by utilising the tools and techniques to commensurate with their chosen area(s) of specialisation and demonstrate the ability to apply it in the organisation.
  • Show mastery in conducting a rigorous applied research project in the business environment of a selected organisation and being able to apply the relevant research methods and techniques.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to manage learning tasks autonomously, professionally and ethically.

    Rationale:
    The strategic intent is to review the current Master's Degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Business Leadership, as well as those submitted previously to the Department of Higher Education (DHET) for approval and to the Council for Higher Education (CHE) for accreditation. While the current Masters of Business Administration (MBA) focuses on business administration in general, the envisaged qualification will focus on managing organisations in the global economy. This new focus involves exploring business opportunities and relationships with Brazil, Russia, India and China and African countries. In enhancing the particular needs; scenarios, case studies and coursework will be focused on assessing the business environments involved. Although the curriculum for this degree has a strong practical and professional orientation, it has retained a generalist and broad character. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification can be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning. Within the context of the MBA, learners applying for the qualification through the RPL route will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence illustrating their knowledge, skills and experience in the field.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor Honours Degree.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma.
    Or
  • 480 Credit Bachelors' Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 8; 24 Credits:
  • Economics for Managers, 12 Credits.
  • Accounting for Managers, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 9; 132 Credits:
  • Managing Human Capital, 24 Credits.
  • Strategic Management, 24 Credits.
  • Value-based Management, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Financial Management, 12 Credits.
  • Corporate Governance and ethics, 12 Credits.
  • Integrated Management Project (Research component), 48 Credits.

    Electives Modules at NQF Level 9 (Choose any two of the following electives):
  • Applied Business Informatics, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Project Management, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Supply Chain Management, 12 Credits.
  • Operations Management, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Sustainable Marketing, 12 Credits.
  • Strategy in a Global Context, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Labour Law, 12 Credits.
  • Business Research, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic knowledge base of business administration as a broad field, as well as the ability to apply the knowledge base to a wide range of business-related contexts.
    2. Measure, manage and lead the organisation's performance on the triple bottom line (social, economic and environmental performance) through effective strategic management.
    3. Manage people in the organisation effectively.
    4. Demonstrate a high level of specialised knowledge and skills in the chosen area(s) of specialisation by utilising the tools and techniques to commensurate with their chosen area(s) of specialisation and demonstrate the ability to apply it in the organisation.
    5. Show mastery in conducting a rigorous applied research project in the business environment of a selected organisation and being able to apply the relevant research methods and techniques.
    6. Demonstrate the capacity to manage learning tasks autonomously, professionally and ethically. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies from a variety of business and management disciplines are selected, designed, and applied to complex practical and theoretical business and management problems.
  • A wide range of business and management skills are used to address complex and challenging business and management problems.
  • The consequences of business and management solutions generated are comprehensively understood.
    . Interventions at an appropriate level in a system, based on an understanding of hierarchical relations in the system are done, the intended and unintended consequences of the proposed business and management interventions are addressed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Strategic theories and frameworks are applied in a business context.
  • Successful strategic decisions are formulated and executed.
  • Agility to adapt strategy to a changing national and international environment is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • A wide range of human capital management techniques, skills and knowledge is used to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry in order to address complex and challenging leadership problems.
  • The consequences of the human capital interventions proposed are appreciated.
  • Human capital management interventions at the personal, team and organisational level in a system are made, based on an understanding of hierarchical relations in the system, and the intended and unintended consequences of their proposed interventions are addressed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A comprehensive and systematic knowledge base of the relevant concepts and theories of their chosen area(s) of specialisation is demonstrated.
  • Integration of all concepts and theories to develop sustainable functional and strategic recommendations based on areas of specialisation.
  • A comprehensive understanding of the consequences of the recommendations that they generate is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • An understanding of qualitative and quantitative research is demonstrated and strengths and limitations for providing information and options in an uncertain organisational environment are evaluated.
  • Models of businesses are developed and an ability to conduct research into business and management issues with the minimum guidance is displayed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Full responsibility for own work is taken, and processes are led and initiated and systems are implemented and accounted for, to ensure good resource management and governance practices in the context of business and management.
  • Own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and professional development is developed.
  • Autonomous ethical decisions which affect complex organisational or professional issues are made and contribution to the development of ethical standards in the context of business and management is done.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessments in each module will be required as a means to assess learning and provide feedback to learners. Formative assessments will contribute towards a year mark, which will contribute 50% of the final mark in most modules.

    With the exception of the integrated management project, which requires a research report, all modules will require a venue-based summative assessment. Alternatively, a portfolio of assessment may be conducted where appropriate. The mark obtained in the summative assessment will further contribute 50% to a learner's final mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Macquarie University-Graduate School of Management (MGSM) in Australia offers the Master of Business Administration. The qualification is designed to extend the knowledge, skills and experience of its learners through the analysis of problems and challenges facing industries and organisations. The qualification covers all key aspects of business management, the qualification is grounded in industry reality which, combined with a highly practical approach, bridges the gap between theory and 'real world' application.

    Lancaster University Management School: United Kingdom (UK):
    This Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification equips learners with all the necessary language, tools and techniques of business and management: from Economics to Entrepreneurship, from Accounting to Marketing, and from Operations to Finance and to Strategy. The qualification focuses on building the 'attitudes of mind' and skills that learners require to be highly effective at the most senior levels of management. It focuses on developing practical wisdom - the learner's capacity for judgment in the turbulent and ambiguous world of international business. The MBA helps learners in understanding the functions of business and the complexity of organisations and markets and at the same time developing their capacity to mindfully deploy this learning in the real world in which business is practiced.

    University of Western Sydney-Australia:
    Rationale and Purpose:
    The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a high quality generalist management degree. It is a Postgraduate qualification for any individual seeking to gain a greater depth and understanding of the core functions of management and business administration. It is designed to develop the skills, knowledge and competencies of managers and future managers who conduct business locally and internationally. The composition of the MBA provides a wealth of valuable grounding for managers. It equips managers to not only oversee the day-to-day operations of the organisation but also, more broadly, to manage their people, manage their money, and manage their markets, and to do so with an appreciation of the value chain that the people, money and markets constitute. Emphasis is placed on functional and applied skills, complemented by cultural studies designed to enable managers to act sensitively, appropriately and effectively in the international business environment. With a mix of theory and practice throughout the program, The MBA is relevant and immediately applicable to the workplace.

    Conclusion:
    The above comparative analysis clearly reflects the similarities, in terms of the purpose and rationale that this qualification has with other international qualifications. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides the following possible articulation opportunities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Administration in Labour Relations Management at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Administration in Public Management at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Administration at NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This Qualification replaces Qualification 74212, "Master of Business Administration", Level 8, 360 Credits. 

    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. University of South Africa 


    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.