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: 

Bachelor of Business Administration Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97881  Bachelor of Business Administration Honours 
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
Honours 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  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  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 
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Business Administration Honours is designed to provide learners with an advanced and comprehensive education in business and management. The qualification equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to excel in various professional roles across different industries. The qualification prepares learners for leadership roles, specialised professional positions, entrepreneurial ventures, and further academic study, while fostering critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and innovation. Furthermore, graduates of this qualification are well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the global business environment, as they gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that enhance their employability and adaptability in an ever-changing world (Smith and Davies, 2021).

The qualification further enables learners with sufficient and relevant work experience and appropriate qualifications to further develop their functional and reflective competencies in business management and administration. The qualification aims to develop an integrated conceptual understanding, synthesis and critical application within a business management context. The qualification is aimed towards learners who occupy middle and senior management positions and who have completed a cognate Bachelor's qualification. The qualification is ideal for individuals with a strong interest in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. It appeals to high achievers, aspiring business professionals, future business leaders, and entrepreneurially minded learners. It is also suited for professionals seeking career advancement, learners interested in further academic study, and those who take a multidisciplinary approach to business. The qualification attracts globally minded learners who wish to thrive in today's competitive business environment. As a result, the qualification equips graduates with the strategic insight and managerial acumen required to meet the demands of an increasingly complex and interconnected business landscape, ensuring their readiness to contribute meaningfully to both local and global business environments (Miller and Thompson, 2020).

Graduates of this qualification are empowered to contribute meaningfully to organisations and society in an increasingly complex and globalised business environment. The qualification will empower learners to solve commercial problems in a focused way and to effectively manage and allocate resources, to communicate effectively and to contribute to knowledge and socio-economic transformation responsibly and ethically. Additionally, the graduates will gain several benefits such as comprehensive business knowledge, specialised expertise in specific business areas, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, leadership and management capabilities, practical business experience, strong communication and interpersonal skills, awareness of ethical and social responsibility, entrepreneurial thinking, global business competence, research and analytical skills, and career readiness and professional networking opportunities.

The qualification offers graduates a diverse range of academic and occupational pathways that promote career progression, professional growth, specialisation, and leadership roles. Upon completing the qualification, graduates may pursue advanced education such as a Master of Business Administration qualification, which is a popular choice for deepening management skills.

With the current skills needs and the scarcity of qualifications in business administration, this qualification aims to produce graduates who are in possession of specific graduate attributes. The qualification graduate attributes below align with the institution's graduate attributes of communication skills, artificial intelligence and data literacy, critical thinking, ethical awareness, interpersonal skills, innovation and entrepreneurship. With this in mind, the qualification's graduate attributes identified below demonstrate the competencies the learner will possess upon completion of the modules and assessments within the qualification:
  • Apply critical thinking within core business functions, including management, marketing, and operations, thereby allowing for effective navigation of complex business environments.
  • Engage in problem-solving skills, enabling graduates to analyse challenges and apply creative solutions.
  • Lead and manage teams, make strategic decisions, and drive organisational success.
  • Display communication and interpersonal skills that enable effective engagement with colleagues, stakeholders, and clients.
  • Gather and interpret data for informed decision-making, therefore possessing strong research and analytical skills.

    Upon completion of the qualification, graduates will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of a broad range of management functions and the integration and critical examination of management practice.
  • Develop key transferable skills with applications in management from a strategic perspective.
  • Attain personal and team goals using individual and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrate awareness of ethical and global issues in business.
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display those responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made.
  • Develop business policies and strategies for organisations to meet stakeholder requirements.
  • Organise and mobilise the resources of the organisation to achieve strategic goals and targets.
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing ethical responsibility towards the environment and the health or well-being of others.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply conceptual and analytical frameworks within different organisational management conditions.
  • Develop conceptual and applied entrepreneurial skills.
  • Apply creative and critical thinking in solving business-related problems.

    The graduates can aspire towards the following positions:
  • Business Manager/Strategist/ Entrepreneur.
  • Business Consultant.
  • Marketing Executive.
  • Retail Manager.
  • Financial Analyst.

    Rationale:
    The qualification is designed to integrate and enhance business administration and management practices in South Africa, catering to learners both locally and internationally. The qualification's curriculum combines functional management modules, providing a solid foundation in business and management, while fostering an active learning environment that promotes professional growth, ethical leadership, and responsible citizenship. Advanced qualifications in business administration provide professionals with the competencies needed to navigate dynamic business challenges, especially in fields like financial management, human resources, and marketing (Erasmus, Strydom, and Rudansky-Kloppers, 2023). Therefore, through its curriculum, the qualification allows for deeper specialisation and provides graduates with a competitive edge in securing leadership positions in corporate environments.

    The qualification benefits the sector, society and the economy as it is aligned with the national development goals. The South African National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2030 emphasises the need to improve access to qualifications that address national economic and employment needs, which includes addressing skills shortages in business management and leadership (Department of Higher Education and Training, 2019). Therefore, the Bachelor of Business Administration Honours qualification fulfils the national priorities for developing skilled professionals who can contribute to economic growth and social development (Department of Higher Education and Training, 2019). Furthermore, the rise of digital technologies, globalisation, and complex regulatory frameworks requires a new generation of business leaders who are equipped with advanced knowledge and skills to adapt to these changes (Robinson, 2020). By offering a comprehensive curriculum in strategy, finance, and management, the qualification prepares graduates to respond to these challenges effectively.

    Targeted at professionals from various business backgrounds, the qualification provides the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the 21st-century management landscape. It emphasises higher-level management skills, analytical thinking, and practical applications of management theories, making it a valuable qualification for career advancement. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles, including business managers, strategists, and consultants, and they can pursue further studies in cognate master's degrees or professional certifications. Overall, the qualification not only equips learners for success in their careers but also fosters ethical business practices that align with broader societal goals. Business education must go beyond profitability and performance metrics, embedding a deep understanding of ethical decision-making and corporate social responsibility (CSR) into the curriculum (White and Brown, 2020). By including topics on ethical business practices in the qualification's curriculum, the qualification aligns with global trends towards sustainable business operations, ensuring graduates can contribute meaningfully to organisations that prioritise long-term societal benefits alongside economic growth (White and Brown, 2020).

    The qualification equips graduates with a versatile skill set and knowledge base, making them well-prepared for a variety of careers across multiple industries. Graduates can pursue roles in management, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, which provide significant upward mobility and the potential to make impactful contributions to the business world. The career pathway for qualification graduates is flexible, allowing for a progression from entry-level roles to advanced positions. Upon completion of the qualification, graduates can aspire towards the following positions:
  • Business Manager/Strategist/ Entrepreneur.
  • Business Consultant.
  • Marketing Executive.
  • Retail Manager.
  • Financial Analyst. 
    		•

    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 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 advanced standing within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules, and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification 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 of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner 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:
  • Learners 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:
  • Advanced Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Business and Information Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
    Bachelor of Business Administration, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Operations Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at the National Qualifications Framework, Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Contemporary Human Resource Management, 15 Credits.
  • Corporate and Business Strategy, 15 Credits.
  • Quantitative Methods and Business Research Methodology, 15 Credits.
  • Marketing Management, 15 Credits.
  • Accounting and Financial Management, 15 Credits.
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management, 15 Credits.
  • Research Report, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop an understanding of a broad range of management functions and the integration and critical examination of management practice.
    2. Develop key transferable skills with applications in management from a strategic perspective.
    3. Attain personal and team goals using individual and interpersonal skills.
    4. Demonstrate awareness of ethical and global issues in business.
    5. Identify and solve problems in which responses display responsible decisions that have been made using critical and creative thinking.
    6. Develop business policies and strategies for organisations to meet stakeholder requirements.
    7. Organise and mobilise the resources of the organisation to achieve strategic goals and targets.
    8. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing ethical responsibility towards the environment and the health or well-being of others.
    9. Demonstrate the ability to apply conceptual and analytical frameworks within different organisational management conditions.
    10. Develop conceptual and applied entrepreneurial skills.
    11. Apply creative and critical thinking in solving business-related problems. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Examine management functions and management practices to understand key management functions.
  • Assess management practices using theoretical and empirical evidence to understand effectiveness and relevance within contemporary organisational contexts.
  • Analyse integrated management approaches and frameworks to determine how it enhances organisational efficiency, effectiveness, and strategic coherence within complex and dynamic business environments.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Discuss management application from a strategic perspective to develop key management skills and their application.
  • Apply transferable management skills to develop strategic solutions that enhance organisational competitiveness and adaptability.
  • Synthesise strategic management principles to integrate transferable skills across diverse business functions for improved decision-making and performance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Explore personal and team goals using individual and interpersonal skills.
  • Evaluate interpersonal and leadership competencies to enhance collaboration, motivation, and goal attainment within team settings.
  • Analyse team performance dynamics to design strategies that align individual strengths with organisational objectives.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Investigate ethical and global issues in business to create an informed awareness.
  • Examine ethical frameworks to assess influence on responsible managerial decision-making in global contexts.
  • Evaluate global business practices to understand ethical implications and to promote sustainable and equitable management approaches.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Explore problem and decision-making initiatives to enable responsible business decisions.
  • Evaluate complex business problems to develop responsible, innovative, and evidence-based solutions.
  • Synthesise critical and creative thinking processes to formulate effective strategies that demonstrate sound managerial judgment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Discuss business policies and strategies are discussed to enable development for organisations to meet stakeholder requirements.
  • Design strategic policies to ensure alignment with stakeholder needs and long-term organisational sustainability.
  • Assess business strategy formulations to evaluate the responsiveness to changing stakeholder expectations and market dynamics.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Explore resources within an organisation to enable organisation and mobilisation to achieve strategic goals and targets.
  • Analyse organisational resources to optimise performance and achieve targeted strategic outcomes. Resource management frameworks are analysed to enhance efficiency, accountability, and value creation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Explore effective use of science and technology to facilitate ethical responsibility towards the environment and wellbeing of others.
  • Evaluate technological applications to determine ethical, environmental, and social implications within business operations.
  • Explore scientific and technological innovations to promote sustainable practices that support organisational and societal well-being.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Evaluate conceptual and analytical frameworks to apply key management skills within various organisational management conditions.
  • Evaluate conceptual and analytical frameworks to interpret and address complex management challenges in varying organisational contexts.
  • Synthesise organisational management conditions to construct contextually relevant models for improved organisational analysis and decision-making.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Evaluate entrepreneurial skills to enhance development of conceptual and applied entrepreneurial skills.
  • Analyse entrepreneurial concepts to identify and exploit opportunities for innovation and value creation.
  • Develop applied entrepreneurial strategies to enhance sustainability and competitiveness in emerging markets.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Analyse business-related problems to facilitate creative and critical thinking in solving business-related problems.
  • Construct creative and critical reasoning approaches to generate innovative solutions to multifaceted business challenges.
  • Evaluate problem-solving frameworks to refine business decision-making processes and improve organisational outcomes.

    Integrated Assessment
    The institution's Assessment Strategy aligns with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation Criteria (2012), the National Policy and Criteria for Designing and Implementing Assessment for NQF Qualifications and Part-Qualifications and Professional Designations in South Africa (SAQA, 2014).

    Integrated assessment at the institution requires careful consideration in implementing formative and summative assessment methods, which offer an inclusive and holistic view of learners' learning. Assessments are aligned with pre-defined learning outcomes per module, culminating with the qualification exit level outcomes. Formative and summative assessments are diverse in nature, and these encompass knowledge check questions, case studies, and scenario-based questions. Formative assessments allow for regular feedback to learners, highlighting areas of success and improvement. Summative assessments evaluate learners' learning after a learner's learning journey. Imperative to integrated assessments is the provision of feedback not only to learners but also internally, whereby the results of assessments play a critical role in informing the development of future assessments, assessment practices and the continuous improvement of the qualification.

    Formative Assessment:
  • Formative Assessment 1 (Case Study/Scenario).
  • Formative Assessment 2 (Project).

    Summative Assessment:
  • Summative Assessment.

    The final mark is calculated as follows:
  • Formative Assessment 1 (Case Study/Scenario) - 20%
  • Formative Assessment 2 (Project) - 20%
  • Summative Assessment - 60%

    To pass a module, the following requirements must be met:
    The compulsory completion of ALL assessment activities
  • To pass a module, a sub-minimum of 50% is required in each form of assessment, and a final combined mark of 50% is required.
  • Learners are required to attempt formative assessments 1 and 2 and achieve a combined average of at least 50% before writing their Online Summative Assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable to the following international qualifications:

    Country: Scotland
    Institution name: Heriot Watt University (Edinburgh)
    Qualification title: Bachelor of Business Administration Honours
    Duration:

    Purpose:
    The purpose of the Bachelor of Business Administration Honours qualification is to develop learners' understanding of the area of business administration and management and to gain practical skills that will prepare them for a successful career in any aspect of business. The qualification further helps learners to develop knowledge, understanding, and subject skills related to the principles and practice of modern business administration and prepare them for employment in a variety of business-related careers, and will have opportunities to gather experience and develop links with industry.

    Learning Outcomes:
    Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Gain practical skills that will prepare the learner for a successful career in any aspect of business.
  • Develop knowledge, understanding, and subject skills related to the principles and practice of modern business administration.
  • Be prepared for employment in a variety of business-related careers and will have opportunities to gather experience and develop links with industry.
  • Gain a firm foundation in key areas of accountancy and finance, economics and business management to suit the learner's interests and career aspirations.

    Content:
  • Management in a Global Context.
  • Introduction to Marketing.
  • Technology for Business.
  • Sustainable Business.
  • Human Resource Management.
  • Organisational Behaviour.
  • Management Accounting in Organisations.
  • Operations Management.

    Similarities:
  • Both the SA qualification and Scotland qualification share notable similarities in their purpose, learning outcomes, and content. In terms of purpose, both qualifications aim to equip learners with the advanced knowledge, skills, and strategic acumen needed to excel in various business environments.
  • Both qualifications provide learners with a broad understanding of business functions such as management, marketing, accounting, and operations, ensuring they are well-prepared for leadership roles across industries.
  • The SA qualification and Scotland qualification emphasise career readiness by offering learners the opportunity to develop practical business competencies that align with industry needs.

    Difference:
  • In terms of purpose, the SA qualification places a strong emphasis on strategic management and entrepreneurial skills, preparing graduates to develop business policies and strategies tailored to stakeholder needs. By contrast, the Scotland qualification focuses more on practical industry engagement, providing learners with opportunities to build connections with businesses and apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

    Country: Malaysia
    Institution name: Nilai University
    Qualification title: Bachelor of Business Administration Honours
    Duration: 3 years

    Purpose:
    The Bachelor of Business Administration Honours qualification prepares learners for a successful career in management. Learners will learn all the main areas of the theory and practice relating to management, namely the methods of planning, organising, leading and controlling an organisation, and gain valuable experience of current business management practices. Furthermore, the qualification aims to equip learners with a high level of personal skills and competencies, coupled with sound knowledge and the ability to respond to change.

    Learning Outcomes:
    Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Assess in-depth theories and concepts in business.
  • Apply in-depth and comprehensive business knowledge to manage complex problems in business organisations using different approaches.
  • Organise tasks or operations ethically and flexibly within business organisations.
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication and collaborative skills with diverse stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate relevant digital skills for work/study.
  • Analyse numerical and graphical data to assist decision-making in work or study.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills and responsibility in managing business organisations.

    Content:
  • Business Communication.
  • Business Ethics and Social Responsibility.
  • Human Resource Management.
  • Law for Business.
  • Principles of Management.
  • Quantitative Methods for Business.
  • Digital Marketing and Business Analytics.

    Similarities:
  • Both the SA qualification and Malaysia qualification share key similarities in terms of purpose, learning outcomes, and content.
  • The purpose of both qualifications is to equip learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to excel in management and business-related careers. Both qualifications focus on essential management functions such as planning, organising, leading, and controlling within an organisational setting.
  • Additionally, both qualifications aim to develop learners' ability to respond to the evolving business environment by fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and leadership abilities. When considering learning outcomes, both qualifications emphasise the development of managerial and strategic decision-making skills. They also focus on the ability to analyse business problems, apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, and develop innovative solutions.

    Difference:
  • Despite these similarities, there are notable differences between the two qualifications. The SA qualification places a stronger emphasis on strategic business functions such as corporate strategy, financial management, and operations and supply chain management. It is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of key organisational areas, with a focus on developing conceptual and applied entrepreneurial skills. Conversely, the Malaysian qualification includes a more contemporary focus on digital competencies, incorporating Digital Marketing and Business Analytics as part of its curriculum. This reflects a growing emphasis on technology-driven decision-making in modern business environments.

    Conclusion:
    In conclusion, comparing the Bachelor of Business Administration Honours with those offered by Heriot-Watt University and Nilai University reveals key advantages in SA's qualification approach. While both qualifications provide a solid foundation in business management, the SA qualification stands out with its strong emphasis on strategic management, entrepreneurial skills, and supply chain operations. This focus ensures graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles and can develop tailored business strategies. Additionally, the qualification's distance learning model offers greater flexibility for working professionals, a feature not present in the traditional, on-campus structures of Heriot-Watt and Nilai University. The integration of research methodology and business research reports further enhances the qualification, equipping learners with critical analytical skills for both professional and academic success. Overall, the qualification offers a comprehensive and adaptable education that prepares learners to excel in the dynamic business world, combining strategic thinking with practical application in a way that sets it apart from its international counterparts. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides the following articulation options:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Possible horizontal articulation options between Sub-Frameworks for this qualification reached the registration end date in December 2025.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Business Administration, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business Management and Administration, NQF Level 9.

    Diagonal Articulation:
  • Advanced Occupational Diploma: Business Banker, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. MANCOSA 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.