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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
96366  Master of Business Administration 
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes 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  184  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 equip learners to be able to contribute meaningfully to the enhanced performance of their organisations in the areas of economic performance, social responsibility and environmental responsiveness.
At the end of the qualification they will be able to:
  • Develop sustainable marketing and other appropriate strategies to enhance revenue generation and growth.
  • Make wise financial decisions to enhance the management and investment of financial and other resources.
  • Develop sound human resources and leadership policies and strategies to enhance the motivation, productivity, commitment and conviction of employees.
  • Make sound operational decisions to enhance organisational efficiency and performance.
  • Resolve ethical dilemmas and make ethical decisions.
  • Be critical and analytical in the decision-making process.
    Learners of this qualification must also be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills".

    Rationale:
    In today's complex and competitive environment, flexibility has become a key requirement for organisations and individuals. Business education has to take account of new pressures and demands placed on managers and employees in the environments in which they operate in. On the one hand, a full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) is not feasible for many companies and individuals when it comes to combining study with managerial responsibilities. On the other hand, an essentially distance learning based MBA qualification deprives learners of the "business school" experience where they would interact with their peers and instructors in an intensive and participative learning process in the classroom. Thus this qualification captures the best of both through a mixed-mode structure. MBA learners can "learn and earn" while at the same time enjoying the classroom learning experience. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    The institution embraces the RPL policy as one of the important tools of achieving the NQF objectives.
    Learners may be admitted via RPL. Whereby the number of years of work experience, seniority, amount of tertiary level courses attended and National Benchmark Test results are considered.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission:
  • A four year Bachelors' Degree
    Or,
  • An Honours Degree.
    Or,
  • A relevant Postgraduate Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Levels 8 and 9 totalling 184 Credits.
    NQF Level 8 modules: (8 modules totalling 60 Credits):
  • Economics, 10 Credits.
  • Principles of Sustainability, 10 Credits.
  • Stewardship and Governance, 10 Credits.
  • Financial Management, 6 Credits.
  • Quantitative Decision Making, 6 Credits.
  • Management Accounting, 6 Credits.
  • Operations Management, 6 Credits.

    Select one of these two electives:
  • Knowledge Management, 6 Credits.
  • Environmental Economics, 6 Credits.

    NQF Level 9 Modules, (10 modules totalling 124 Credits)
  • Academic Skills, 4 Credits.
  • Responsible Leadership, 10 Credits.
  • Sustainable Marketing, 10 Credits.
  • People Management, 6 Credits.
  • Research Methods, 10 Credits.
  • Strategic Management, 6 Credits.
  • Ethical Organisation, 6 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 60 Credits.

    Select two of these four electives:
  • Project Management, 6 Credits.
  • Sustainability Law, 6 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship, 6 Credits.
  • Ethical Organisation, 6 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop sustainable marketing and other appropriate strategies to enhance revenue generation and growth.
    2. Resolve ethical dilemmas and make ethical decisions.
    3. Develop sound human resources and leadership policies and strategies to enhance the motivation, productivity, commitment and conviction of employees.
    4. Make sound operational decisions to enhance organisational efficiency and performance. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Principles of entrepreneurship and marketing are systematically applied.
  • Information Technology as a marketing tool in the business environment is optimally used.
  • A connection from theoretical knowledge to practical application in the real world is made.
  • With limited guidance the economic and efficient use and the flow of resources within and to an organisation are identified evaluated and applied.
  • The key elements of services marketing are identified and analysed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Options for appropriate action are generated, explored and considered.
  • Most appropriate course of action in relation to the particular context and resources available are identified.
  • Means to ensure good working relationships are created and maintained.
  • Relations between parties are analysed to avoid disagreement.
  • A professional code of conduct is understood and complied.
  • The impact of business on society is reflected upon.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Sound human resources management processes and procedures are proposed and developed.
  • Knowledge of the management fields directly related to project management (scope, integration, communication, time, human resources, quality, cost, procurement, quality, risk and information technology management) is applied.
  • Management of a project and the ability to conduct a project in the business environment, using various tools are applied.
  • The existing South African Labour Legislation is critically analysed and its regulations are properly applied.
  • Established policies and regulations governing financial management are comprehensively understood and adhered to.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The role of operations management processes within the context of world class manufacturing and service, as well as global competitiveness is clarified.
  • The nature and role of supply chain management in the development of cost-effective, competitive strategies is explained.
  • Fundamentals of performance management for quality, economy, effectiveness and efficiency in delivery service are considered.
  • Leadership role in results-orientated organisations is demonstrated.
  • Competence in communicating effectively in the business environment is implemented.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment entails the elements of both formative and summative assessments. This normally takes the form of short class tests, group presentations and class exercises. The assessment is tied very closely to the Exit Learning Outcomes specified at the beginning of the modules.
    Continuing informal assessment (formative): The nature of the qualification is interactive. During the course of class discussions, case-study discussions and the application of the Socratic method of teaching, learners can assess where they might be going wrong. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International comparability studies were conducted in selected countries which offer a similar qualification. Singapore and Ireland were selected for that purpose.

    SP Jain School of Global Management in Singapore offers a Master of Business Administration Degree. The qualification is designed to train the next generation of business leaders who can think, decide and act in a complex business environment. Most of the modules covered are similar to the ones offered in this qualification. They include: Financial Accounting, Marketing Management, Research Methodology, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Dissertation.

    In Ireland, Dublin Business School has a Master of Business Administration qualification. The qualification is said to equip learners with the ability to develop strong analytical and problem solving skills in the modern commercial world. Modules covered in the qualification include: Financial Analysis, Corporate Financial Management, Marketing Innovations, Business Strategy and Research Methods.

    Conclusion:
    The qualifications mentioned above are similar to this qualification when considered from a general purpose point of view. They share common modules suggesting that they have similar design and focus when compared with this qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification is designed to articulate within and across the three sub-frameworks of the NQF.

    It may articulate horizontally with the following cognate qualification/s:
  • Master of Administration in Public Management at NQF Level 9.

    It may articulate vertically with the following qualification/s vertically:
  • Doctor of Technology in Business Administration, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Science in Business Administration: NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Rhodes University 


    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.